No one has ever lived without being tempted. James says “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” Thus, temptation is the result of the devil enticing me with a desire I have, which eventually results in my committing sin, (some thoughtless self-pleasing act). I thought it might help to comprehend three specific types of desire that possess graduated consequences. 

1. Desire—is simply something you want without regard for what might be best for others. It is like the oldest of four brothers reaching for two drumsticks at family chicken night, knowing if he doesn’t grab it first, one of the other self-centered brats will take them all. 
2. Envy—is simply something you want that someone else has, without regard for another. It is like the young lady entering a banquet wearing a new dress, and her best friend being complemented for what she was wearing. The young lady begins to seethe with anger for she is envious of her friend’s compliment (no telling what the young lady did the rest of the evening to put down her friend).
3. Lust—simply wants someone’s body without regard to what it might cost the other. This is not only a sexual thing, but can be an oppressive act. It is like a car salesman who is trying to get someone into a car he knows they cannot afford, but he ignores their condition and puts them in the car, using their life (body) for what he can get out of them. It is making a slave of another by manipulating them to get the pleasure you want.

I realize these are loose definitions for each word, but I think you see the point. The devil seeks to tempt us with some form of desire. Some desires seem innocent and others more serious. It is our job to let the Lord transform us into believers who are no longer motivated by desire, envy and lust but by God’s grace, by His desire to love and to be empathetic. 

What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But He gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. James 4:5-6 NLT