Lust is a strong desire for something, often used in a negative sense to refer to sexual desire outside of marriage. The Bible has a lot to say about lust and controlling our desires.
Definitions of Lust in the Bible
The Greek word translated “lust” in the New Testament is “epithymia.” This word is used to refer to strong desires, not just for sex, but also for food, possessions, and other things. However, it is often used in the context of sinful desire.
Lust is related to covetousness – wanting something that is not rightfully yours. Covetousness is listed as one of the Ten Commandments: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17).
So lust in the Bible refers to any intense desire, but especially the sinful desires for things that God has forbidden or that belong to others.
Lust Begins in the Heart and Mind
Jesus taught that lustful thoughts can be just as sinful as lustful actions: “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).
He explained that sin comes from the desires and intents of our heart: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person” (Matthew 15:19-20a).
Even looking with lust is a sin, because it shows that our heart and mind are not pure. Many other New Testament verses warn against lust of the eyes and fleshly lusts (1 John 2:16, 2 Peter 2:14, 1 Peter 4:3).
Lust Leads to Sinful Actions
Lust that is allowed to grow in the heart will eventually lead to sinful actions. James 1:14-15 explains, “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.”
We may feel tempted by our sinful desires, but acting on them takes us down a dangerous path. That is why we are warned, “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18) and “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5).
Feeding our lusts, whether through pornography or sexual fantasies, is spiritually destructive. Ephesians 4:19 warns, “They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.” We should seek to control our thoughts and avoid things that inflame lustful passions.
The Answer to Lust: Self-Control Empowered by God’s Spirit
Though temptation to lust is common, God provides a way to resist. Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The Holy Spirit gives believers strength to have self-control.
Rather than indulging sinful desires, the Bible tells us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14) and to “abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11).
We have a responsibility to control our thoughts, avoid tempting situations, and actively seek to glorify God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). But God is faithful to provide a way out from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) as we walk in dependence on the Holy Spirit.
The Danger of Unchecked Lust
Lust may start small but can grow into great sin when left unchecked. Several Biblical examples illustrate this danger:
- David’s lust for Bathsheba led him into adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11).
- Samson’s lust for Philistine women cost him his strength, freedom, and eyesight (Judges 16).
- Solomon’s lust for foreign women turned his heart from God (1 Kings 11:1-3).
- The lust of Sodom and Gomorrah resulted in sexual immorality and perversion (Genesis 19, Jude 1:7).
James 1:15 reminds us that lust, when fully grown, “brings forth death.” Our only safe course is to resist temptation through the Spirit’s power.
Lust Defiles Marriage
Lust is dangerous not only before marriage, but also in marriage. While sexual passion between husband and wife is intended to be beautiful (Proverbs 5:18-19, Song of Solomon), lust can corrupt even this gift.
Jesus said that looking at another woman lustfully defiles a marriage: “Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Pornography use is one example of how married couples may be tempted to defile their marriage vows through unrestrained lust.
Having eyes only for your spouse requires vigilant commitment and reliance on God’s help to fight lust. But it is necessary for the purity and intimacy of marriage.
Fighting Lust with Contentment and Love
Rather than feeding our lusts, Scripture tells us to “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12). The qualities of Christ-like love are opposite the selfishness of lust.
1 Timothy 6:6 reminds us that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Finding contentment in Christ helps us to be satisfied with what we have rather than lusting for more.
And remembering Christ’s love can motivate us to live purely: “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all…he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
God’s Judgment Against Unrepentant Lust
The Bible gives stern warnings that those who walk in unrestrained lust and immorality will face God’s judgment. For example:
- “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:13-14).
- “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).
- “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).
God offers mercy and escape from the control of lust, but if we continue in it unrepentantly, we show that we do not truly know Him (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Learning to Love God More Than Lust
The root problem with lust is that it shows a heart that loves fleshly pleasures more than God. Lust is really a form of idolatry – valuing created things above the Creator.
That is why the first of the Ten Commandments is, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). And the greatest commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Learning to love, treasure, and find satisfaction in God above all rivals is a process. As we fill our hearts and minds with Scripture, grow closer to God in prayer and worship, and pursue intimate fellowship with other believers, the Spirit transforms us to desire Him more than the momentary pleasures of sin (Psalm 73:25-26).
When tempted by lust, remembering who God is, all He has done for us, and all He offers us in Himself can give strength to turn from cheap substitutes and run to our true Redeemer and Reward.
Finding Freedom Through Confession and Accountability
An important step in fighting lust is confession and transparency with other believers who will keep us accountable. James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
Bringing our struggles into the light allows fellow Christians to support us, check on our progress, and comfort us when we fail. Staying connected to the church body provides much-needed defense against lust’s secretive, isolated nature.
Of course, confessing involves not just admitting our lusts generally, but taking full responsibility for specific words, deeds, thoughts, and patterns. Thorough repentance is necessary to change.
With time, accountability, and effort, Christians can experience real freedom from lust’s power as we learn to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Remembering Christ’s Compassion
When discouraged in our fight against lust, we can remember Jesus’ compassion. Though He never sinned, Christ was fully human and understands the struggle against temptation. Hebrews 4:15-16 says:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Christ stands ready to gently restore all who come to Him in genuine confession and faith. His mercy is greater than all our failures. There is hope for freedom from lust’s damaging chains.
Our Hope for Holiness
As long as we live in these fallen bodies, the battle against lust will continue. But Scripture promises that one day believers will be made completely holy in God’s presence.
2 Peter 3:13 assures us that “according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” And 1 John 3:2 declares, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”
Though frustrating at times, the war against lust is worth fighting now because victory is certain in eternity. Our lifelong struggles will end in perfect purity and joy in Christ’s presence.