Lust is a strong feeling that is hard to get rid of. It can make us lose our sense of right and wrong and lead us down a path that could hurt us in the long run. What does the Bible say about lust?
According to the Bible, lust is a sin. “You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery,s said, “You shall not commit adultery,” “Jesus said. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to commit adultery has already done so in his heart. (Matt. 5:27, 28) This verse shows that Jesus thinks lust is a very bad thing, and he tells us not to even think about it.
Bible Verses About Lust
1. Matthew 5:28 – “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This verse warns against indulging in lustful thoughts or feelings as they are just as sinful as actual adultery.
2. Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” This verse encourages us to make a conscious effort to align our thoughts and behavior with the will of God rather than the desires of the flesh.
3. Romans 13:14 – “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” This verse reminds us to be mindful of our thoughts and focus our attention on Jesus rather than on indulging in lustful desires.
4. James 1:14-15 – “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” This verse is a reminder of the consequences of indulging in lust.
5. 1 John 2:16 – “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” This verse reminds us that worldly desires such as lust stem from the world, not from God.
6. Proverbs 6:25 – “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.” This verse reminds us to maintain our focus on God, rather than on the beauty of others.
7. 1 Corinthians 6:18 – “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” This verse serves as a warning against indulging in physical acts of lust.
8. Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” This verse encourages us to focus our thoughts on the things that are good and right.
9. 2 Timothy 2:22 – “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” This verse encourages us to turn away from any temptation of lust and instead pursue God’s will.
10. Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” This verse reminds us of the importance of abstaining from all forms of lust.
What is Lust?
Lust is a strong desire or longing for something that is usually wrong and forbidden. It is a deep, intense craving. It can be used to get money, power, beauty, fame, sex, or anything else. It can make people do risky things.
The Effects of Lust
When we give in to our desires, it can lead to a lot of bad things. Lust can be hard to control and can cause problems with behavior and relationships. It can make us make bad choices, act on impulse, and hurt ourselves and the people we care about.
Bible Stories About Lust
There are many stories in the Bible about people who were tempted by lust. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve are tempted by the fruit that God told them not to eat. In 2 Samuel 11, Bathsheba tries to get David to do something bad. And in Matthew 4, we can read about how the Devil tried to get Jesus to do bad things.
The Answer to What You Want
Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” This is the answer to lust. We can fight lust by keeping our hearts clean and finding satisfaction in God, who is the ultimate source of love and fulfillment.
How to Say No to Temptation
Here are some ways we can avoid giving in to lust:
Prayer: Ask for the strength and wisdom to stay away from temptation.
Avoid Tempting Situations: Stay away from places and people that will tempt you.
Stay Busy: Fill your time with things that will keep you from giving in to lustful thoughts.
Self-control: Learn to be in charge of your thoughts and feelings.
Conclusion
The Bible makes it clear that lust is a sin, and if it isn’t dealt with properly, it can lead to bad things. But the Bible gives us hope as well. We can fight temptation by keeping our minds on God and trusting that his power will give us strength and direction.
Joseph Bates is a teacher at the University of Holy Cross. He has served on the staff of Northern Baptist and United Methodist churches in Tampa, Ohio, and Florida.
