clarify loyalties

    [4] You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. [5] Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? [6] But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” [7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
(James 4:4-10 ESV)

Circling back...

Covenant is with God
We live in a world in rebellion to God
We have desires with options for fulfillment in the rebellious world
We just need to befriend the world  in rebellion to pursue those desires
When we do so... We betray our beloved, defile our covenant, and become part of the rebellious camp and thus 'enemies of God'.

So what should we do?  CLARIFY LOYALTIES

God gives grace, go get some.  Draw near to God and away from the adversary.  Make it unambiguous:  Yes to God, no do the leader of rebellion against God.

God will take that humility, that acknowledgment that we need him, and will graciously help.  He is 'jealous for the Spirit he has made to dwell in us'.  He gave us his Spirit to be able to live his way.  It is troublesome for us to neglect that.  When we return and walk by the spirit, we can learn to have appropriate desires met appropriately, as much as can be done in a fallen world.