Bible Verses about Lust

In a world saturated with images and messages that stoke the fires of desire, the ancient yet timeless wisdom of the Bible provides a compass for navigating the turbulent waters of lust. Imagine King David, a man after God's own heart, standing on the rooftop of his palace. His eyes wander and fall upon Bathsheba. In that fateful moment, his lustful gaze leads him down a perilous path that ultimately results in adultery, deceit, and even murder. David’s tragic story is a cautionary tale that illustrates the profound power that lust can hold over us, driving even the most devout individuals to make devastating choices.

The Bible doesn't mince words when it talks about lust. From the Ten Commandments' unequivocal directive to not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor, to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount where He elevates the discussion to even lustful intent as being synonymous with adultery, the message is clear: Lust is not merely a harmless whim or a fleeting fantasy. It's a form of desire that enslaves the heart, obscures spiritual vision, and can lead to a host of other sins, creating chaos and ruin in its wake.

But the Bible also provides hope and a way out. It teaches us that we don’t have to be prisoners of our desires. Through divine wisdom and spiritual discipline, we are empowered to transcend our basest urges and align ourselves with a higher, holy calling. As you delve into these verses, consider them not just as prohibitions, but as signposts guiding you towards a life of greater integrity, fulfillment, and closeness to God.

Verses that Identify Lust as Sin

Exodus 20:17

"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."

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."

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."

The Consequences of Lust

Proverbs 6:25-26

"Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life."

Galatians 5:16-17

"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."

Ephesians 4:22

"To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires."

Overcoming Lust

Romans 8:6

"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

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."

Lust in General Context

Matthew 15:19

"For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander."

Romans 13:14

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."

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."

Divine Help to Overcome Lust

1 Corinthians 10:13

"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."

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

James 4:7

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Examples of Lust in the Bible

The theme of lust is addressed in various forms throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. It often serves as a cautionary tale or lesson for readers about the consequences of yielding to such desires. Here are some examples of lust in the Bible, along with relevant verses:

David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11:2-4

"And it happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, 'Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?' So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her."

In this example, King David's lust leads him to commit adultery with Bathsheba, which sets off a series of unfortunate events, including deceit and ultimately murder.

The Sin of Achan

Joshua 7:20-21

"And Achan answered Joshua, 'Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them.'"

Here, Achan's lust for material possessions leads him to take items from the spoils of war, directly disobeying God's command and bringing calamity upon Israel.

The Adulterous Woman

Proverbs 7:6-27

"For at the window of my house I have looked out through my lattice, and I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house... With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him."

In Proverbs, Solomon describes an adulterous woman who seduces a "young man lacking sense," highlighting the dangers of lust and infidelity.

Jesus on 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."

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus elevates the conversation about lust, stating that even the lustful intent is tantamount to committing adultery.

Paul on Lust

Romans 1:24-27

"Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves... For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."

Here, Paul speaks about how lust can lead to a variety of sins and ultimately separates individuals from God.

These examples and verses provide different perspectives on lust, showing how it leads to negative consequences and separates individuals from the divine plan.

A Prayer of Repentance from Lust

Heavenly Father,

We come before You, acknowledging the struggles we face in a world that often magnifies and exploits our human desires, leading us toward the path of lust and away from Your righteousness. Like King David, we too are vulnerable, and we recognize the urgency of guarding our hearts and minds against the snares of sinful thoughts and actions.

Lord, Your Word is a lamp unto our feet, revealing the destructive power of lust but also illuminating the way to redemption. We pray for the strength to abide by Your teachings, for the discernment to recognize temptation, and for the courage to flee from it. May Your Holy Spirit empower us to replace worldly desires with a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Thank you, God, for being our refuge and strength. You assure us that no temptation is too great to bear when we lean on You for support. As we navigate the complexities of our emotional and spiritual lives, we hold steadfast to Your promise of providing a way out of temptation, enabling us to live lives that are pleasing to You.

In the matchless name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.