God speaks about the deepness of our sensual passion. The truth of God’s relentless standard of holiness questions moral compromise. The Bible offers wisdom and teaching, encouraging us to trust God for our redemption from worldly desire.
What does the bible say about lust? Continue reading to find out.
What is Lust?
Confusion about the idea of “lust” didn’t start with Purity Culture—it goes way back to some of the earlier use of the word. It first carried the meaning of sensual desire, appetite, or pleasure. Gradually, it became associated with “lusts of the flesh” in the Bible and took on the sense of sinful sexual desire in general.
Even several years ago, there was sometimes vagueness about whether lust meant pleasure or desire, or if it was something sinful. Even among Christians, these various meanings are often confused and people have thought that strong desire or pleasure are somehow sinful.
Lust resides within three vices:
- Lust for power: Instead of using outlets to protect others and enhance communities, they manipulate their positions for their benefit.
- Lust for attention: Instead of living lowly with what God has given them, they make their viewership, social class, and relationships about themselves because of their pride.
- Lust after pleasure: instead of appreciating good things from God in a way that honors Him, they abuse everything from entertainment to sex.
What Does The Bible Say About Lust?
What does the bible say about lust? C.S. Lewis wrote, “If you look upon ham and eggs and lust, you have already committed breakfast in your heart.” This is an ideal biblical definition of lust in the heart. If you crave someone, that is lusting in the heart. Exodus 20:17 talks about the tenth commandment as “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” so lust is not just about glancing at someone of the opposite sex, or for some, seeing someone with lust of the same sex, it is craving what you don’t have. It is an intense desire to have what someone else has.
There are so many areas that define love in the Bible. Paul writes “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1st Cor 13:4-7)
Top Verses about Lust in the Bible
When we look at God, we can understand what lust is. First, let’s see the Old Testament. The Hebrew word avah is sometimes known as “lust,” and sometimes as “desire.” Another term is chamad which makes its most important appearance in the Ten Commandments, “You shall not covet.” It’s connected to the idea of being desirable.
Here are some Bible Verses about Lust
- Matthew 5:28 – But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
- 1 John 2:16 – For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
- Galatians 5:16 – But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
- Colossians 3:5 – Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
- 2 Timothy 2:22 – So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
- Job 31:1 – “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?
- 1 Corinthians 6:18 – Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
- Proverbs 6:25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
- 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
- James 1:14-15 – But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
- Galatians 5:19-21 – Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Romans 13:14 – But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Who Struggled With Lust In The Bible?
1. King David
Verse:
“One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, ‘She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah.’ Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.”
– 2 Samuel 11:2-4 (NIV)
Discussion:
King David faced a moment of weakness when he surrendered to the temptation of lust. He glanced at Bathsheba bathing and was struck by her beauty. His brief moment of desire led to an affair that led to grave consequences, including the demise of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, and the loss of David’s peace.
However, David’s response to his repentance made him grow. After facing his wrongdoings, David submissively sought God’s forgiveness.
2. Joseph
Verse:
“And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.”
– Genesis 39:10 (NIV)
Discussion:
When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph chose to flee from temptation rather than entertain it. His response displays an important lesson: overpowering lust often requires quick and decisive action.
Joseph’s denial to give in not only kept his integrity but also revealed the strength that can be found in faith.
Joseph’s story is a reminder that God empowers us to resist the temptations that we face. When we look to Him for strength, we can stand firm in purity and honor His will.
3. Samson
Verse:
“With such great difficulty, he [Samson] told her [Delilah] everything. ‘No razor has ever been used on my head,’ he said, ‘because I have been a Nazarite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.’”
– Judges 16:17 (NIV)
Discussion:
Samson’s failure is often attributed to his physical strength, but his true flaw lies in his rebelliousness and lack of discipline. Samson allowed his lustful passions to cover his judgment, particularly in his relationship with Delilah. Samson’s story is a caution about the dangers of giving in to our cravings without seeking God’s guidance. It emphasizes how the purpose of lust can guide us away from God’s will.
4. Solomon
Verse:
“King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—and this led him astray.”
– 1 Kings 11:1 (NIV)
Discussion:
Solomon, the smartest man to ever live, was not resistant to the dangers of lust. Despite his extensive wisdom, he allowed his lust to revoke his judgment, marrying many women from different nations who led him into idols. This story shows how uncontrolled lust can confuse even the most discerning hearts. Lust can easily confuse those who believe they are unsusceptible, reminding us that wisdom must be associated with obedience to God’s Word.
How To Overcome Lust In The Bible?
Today’s world is filled with debauchery almost everywhere you see, which means that the fight against lust can be daunting.
Now that you know what the bible says about lustful thoughts, here is how you can overcome lust in the bible.
Be Connected to God
According to the Bible, you should start overcoming temptation by turning to Him in repentance and faith. Recognize that only Jesus Christ can make you honorable before God.
But “thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17–18).
Meditate
The unsaved world around you draws and even forces you to follow along with its wrongness. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the essence of the battle and its explanation: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Deny Ungodliness and Develop Godliness
On this side of eternity, you will always want to give in to temptation in some respect, for they are “common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Avoid Temptations
The Lord Jesus taught His disciples to question God, “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). If you ask God to guide you to avoid temptation, then you should also be watchful to stay away from tempting situations.
Be Honest with God
Remember that your sin is fundamentally mandated against God. When his master’s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph rightly opposed, “How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9).
FAQ on What Does The Bible Say About Lust?
1] What is the root cause of lust in the Bible?
It may seem that lack of self-control is at the root of lust. Those are some of the factors, but the root cause of lust is often emptiness.
2] How to overcome lust and temptation?
Overcoming lust involves several approaches, including identifying triggers, seeking accountability, practicing mindfulness and developing healthy habits.
3] How to overcome lust spiritually
Through prayer, getting support, and protecting your heart you can begin your journey towards purity that honors both yourself and God.