From 2 Peter 3:
"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction among themselves. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned...
...These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, 'A dog returns to its own vomit,' and, 'A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.'" (NASB)
(Not a pretty picture, sorry...)
What do people normally think of at the mention of the word "sensuality" or "fleshly desires"? Uh-huh. "Sensual," as we all know, means "devoted to or preoccupied with the senses or appetites" (Merriam-Webster), which would of course include all the senses or appetites. Just what are fleshly desires, then?
Galatians 5:16-21:
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please...
...Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Fleshly desire is that which is set against the Spirit -- anything that is set against the Spirit. (The fruit of the Spirit being love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control -- Gal. 5:22-23) Not just sexual idolatry and hard partying. Wanting anything more than wanting God and His righteousness will bring on any of those things listed under "deeds of the flesh."
