Lust is a strong desire for something, often used in a negative sense for intense sexual craving. The Bible has much to say about lust and controlling our desires.
Exodus 20:17 – The Tenth Commandment against coveting
“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.” (Exodus 20:17)
This verse is one of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God. It prohibits coveting or lusting after what belongs to others. This includes coveting someone’s spouse which would be adultery of the heart.
Matthew 5:27-28 – Adultery in the heart
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus equates lustfully looking at someone to adultery of the heart. Even sexual thoughts can be sinful if we indulge them.
Galatians 5:16-17 – War between flesh and spirit
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” (Galatians 5:16-17)
Paul describes the battle between our sinful fleshly desires and the Holy Spirit within us. We must choose to be led by the spirit to overcome lusts.
1 John 2:16 – Lust of the flesh
“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.” (1 John 2:16)
John warns against the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes (covetousness) and the pride of life as worldly desires that do not come from God.
James 1:14-15 – Temptation leads to sin
“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.” (James 1:14-15)
James describes how temptation leads to lust, and lust leads to sin and spiritual death. We must reject temptation before it turns to lust.
1 Peter 2:11 – Abstain from fleshly lusts
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11)
As followers of Christ, we are called to abstain from fleshly lusts that go to battle against our very souls.
Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
One key to overcoming lust is having a pure heart. As we seek purity, we will be more able to see and know God.
Job 31:1 – A covenant with my eyes
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1)
Job purposed in his heart to avoid lustful looks. We can follow his example by having filters and boundaries against temptation.
Proverbs 6:25 – Do not lust in your heart
“Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes.” (Proverbs 6:25)
The book of Proverbs warns us not to lust even in our private thoughts. We must take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5).
1 Corinthians 6:18 – Flee from sexual immorality
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
Rather than try to resist temptation, we are told to flee from sexual immorality and remove ourselves from situations that may lead to sin.
Titus 2:11-12 – Denying worldly lusts
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” (Titus 2:11-12)
As recipients of God’s grace, we are empowered to say no to lust and to live upright lives.
Ephesians 4:22 – Put off the old self
“…to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires…” (Ephesians 4:22)
We are called to put away our old sinful habits and desires and to reject the lies that would entice us.
Romans 13:14 – Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14)
Rather than indulge sinful desires, we must continually clothe ourselves with Christ’s righteousness.
Romans 6:12-13 – Present yourself to God
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life.” (Romans 6:12-13)
We must consciously present every part of ourselves to God daily and not yield our bodies to lust’s control.
2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee youthful lusts
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)
Paul charges Timothy to flee from lusts and instead pursue spiritual virtues with others seeking the Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – God always provides a way out
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Victory over lust is possible through God’s faithfulness. He always provides a way to resist temptation if we submit to Him.
Galatians 5:24 – Crucified the flesh with its passions
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24)
As followers of Jesus, we have died to sin and now must live controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 7:21-23 – Lust leads to death
“With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life.” (Proverbs 7:21-23)
This passage vividly illustrates how falling into lust can lead step by step down a path to destruction and death.
2 Peter 1:3-4 – Escape the corruption of lust
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)
God has given us everything needed to live godly lives free from the enslaving corruption of lust.
Romans 8:5-8 – Set mind on the Spirit
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:5-8)
Where our mind goes, we will follow. Setting our minds on the Spirit is key to overcoming the lusts of the flesh.
Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
As David prayed, we must ask God to cleanse our hearts and renew us by His Spirit to defeat lust and sin.
Proverbs 4:23 – Guard your heart
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Above all, we must guard our hearts, because the state of our heart affects everything in life. Maintaining purity of heart is key.
In summary, many Bible passages address the problem of lust and offer solutions. Key principles include avoiding temptation, fleeing lustful situations, crucifying fleshly desires, setting our minds on the Spirit, and guarding our hearts above all else. God promises to provide the way of escape if we submit to Him. As we put off the old self and put on Christ, we can walk in freedom from lust’s power.