In order to know the meaning of the term concupiscence, it is necessary, first of all, to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we can state that it derives from the cultism “concupiscentia”, which can be translated as “ambition” or “greed”. A cultism that, in turn, derives from the verb “concupiscere”, which is synonymous with “coveting strongly”.
The concept is linked to morality and alludes to the exaggerated desire to satisfy earthly desires, far from the spiritual or the deep.
The idea of concupiscence appears frequently in the field of religion. For Christians, lust is given by those desires that are not pleasing to God. The human being, starting from original sin, would have a propensity to act in a way that is distant from the divine mandate: for this reason, to get closer to God, it is necessary to control lust.
It can be said that lust is the excessive desire for carnal satisfaction. This appetite, which is usually related to the sexual, is the opposite of the rational. The concupiscent gratifies the senses, while the reason – indicate the Christians – must be subordinate to God.
We can establish that although it is associated, above all, with what are carnal, sexual desires, the irrepressible desire to have earthly goods is also lust.
Concupiscence, in short, is the tendency to incur sin. It is important to keep in mind that, in Christian morality, the free enjoyment of sexuality is condemned. That is why the lustful is sinful and is opposed to God. The internal impulses, in this framework, must be managed rationally and with prudence so as not to stray from the path of God, Christians maintain.
Theology indicates that concupiscence is not a sin in itself, but is the origin of the sinful act. Concupiscence, engendered in original sin, is the temptation to do wrong. If man becomes corrupted and falls into temptation, he surrenders to evil, always in accordance with the morality of Christianity.
In addition to all the above, we cannot ignore the fact that there is usually talk of two fundamental types of lust.
Thus, on the one hand, there is current concupiscence, which is what comes to refer to what disordered desires are. On the other hand, there is the habitual lust. Under this term is the tendency to feel those desires.
In the religious sphere, it is established that anyone can overcome the irrepressible desire that responds to the name of lust. In this specific case, it should be noted that it is indicated that it will be possible to avoid falling into it when the individual has the desire in his heart to please God more than himself. If so, he will be able to keep what lust is at bay, which within religion has become the protagonist of various stories and passages. Specifically, they have revolved around it from the case of Eve and the serpent to the census of David.
