06/11/2026
Reno Journal Gazette Faith Forum is produced by religious stateman Rajan Zed.
What makes a desire “sinful” or “virtuous”?
Desire as Divine Impulse
Toni King, Unity Minister, Unity Center of Reno
Desire, at its essence, is an impulse from Spirit that arises within our awareness from inner Stillness. It is experienced as an idea longing for expression that mirrors the Divine. When desire is recognized as being in alignment with Love — our core beingness — it remains virtuous. Such desires seek connection, communion, community, healing, and the recognition of the oneness of all beings. These impulses, when pursued, ultimately guide us toward wholeness and holiness, and peace.
Conversely, desire feels “sinful”, when it springs from a consciousness of separation — the belief that we lack something essential and must acquire it externally to be whole or safe. These desires are rooted in fear, selfishness, or the need to control or dominate. They inevitably lead to continued discord because they place fulfillment outside of one’s awareness of Presence. Virtuous desire reflects the unlimited, universal Good, rather than the perpetration of a limited, human story.