Lust is a temptation that tightens its grip on countless lives, damaging relationships and well-being. Yet scripture offers practical wisdom and hope for finding freedom.
This article explores impactful Bible verses about lust that illuminate its dangers and root causes while arming readers to live in purity.
For those searching for help with this struggle, these carefully selected scriptures aim to foster conviction, inspire lasting heart change, and chart a path away from secrecy and shame.
It is our prayer this biblical compilation will minister deeply to all caught in lust’s web, equipping them with tools to walk in wholeness before God and others.
Table of Contents
Bible Verses About Lust
1. Definition of Lust – Bible verses about lust defining and describing lust as sinful desire.
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.
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.
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.
Colossians 3:5: Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
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.
2. Warnings Against Lust – Scriptures on lust warning against giving in to lust and covetousness.
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 know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.
Matthew 5:27-28: 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.
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.
Ephesians 5:3-5: But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Job 31:11-12: For that would be a heinous crime; that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; for it would be a fire that consumes as far as Abaddon, and it would burn to the root all my increase.
3. Sources of Temptation – Lust Bible verses about temptations that lead to lust like media, eyes, evil desires.
Matthew 5:28-29: But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
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.”
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.
1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Job 31:1: I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?
Psalm 119:37: Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
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.
4. Adultery of the Heart – Lust Bible verses depicting lust in the heart/mind as equivalent to physical acts.
Matthew 5:27-28: 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 15:19-20: For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.
Proverbs 6:24-25: To preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes.
Mark 7:20-23: And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
James 4:1-4: What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
2 Samuel 11:2-4: 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. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house.
5. Resisting Temptation – Scriptures on lust about resisting lustful temptations and fleeing from sin.
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.
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 1:12: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Psalm 119:11: I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Romans 13:14: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
6. Controlling Your Thoughts – Lust Bible verses on controlling thoughts and bringing them captive.
2 Corinthians 10:5: We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Psalm 119:37: Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Proverbs 23:7: For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
Romans 8:5-6: 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.
Isaiah 26:3-4: You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.
7. Seeking Righteousness – Bible verses about lust that contrast lust with seeking righteousness, purity, and honesty.
Matthew 5:8: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
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.
Psalm 51:10: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Ephesians 4:22-24: Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Romans 12:2: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
8. Consequences of Lust Bible Verses – Scriptures about negative consequences of unaddressed lust like destruction.
Proverbs 6:27-29: Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is he who goes into his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
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 Peter 4:3: For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
Proverbs 5:22-23: The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly, he is led astray.
Galatians 6:7-8: Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Job 20:12-13: “Though evil is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue, though he is loath to let it go and holds it in his mouth.”
Pastoral Perspective: Probing Deeper Into Bible Verses About Lust
1. What do these bible verses about lust teach us?
The scriptures on lust teach us that:
- Lust is sinful desire and covetousness (Matthew 5:28, Colossians 3:5).
- God strongly warns against lust (Matthew 5:27-28, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
- Temptation often arises from uncontrolled thought life (Matthew 5:28, Joshua 7:21).
- Lustful thoughts are equivalent to physical acts before God (Matthew 5:28, Matthew 15:19-20).
- We must actively resist temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18, James 1:12).
- Controlling thoughts is key to overcoming lust (2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8).
- Pursuing righteousness defeats lust (Matthew 5:8, 1 Peter 2:11).
- Lust leads to destruction if not repented (Proverbs 5:22-23, James 1:14-15).
2. As a scholar, can you offer insights into the nuances and subtleties of ‘lust bible verses’ that may not be immediately apparent, enriching our understanding of lust in scripture?
Some nuances about lust verses include:
- Lust often entangles gradually through small compromises.
- External influences can exacerbate temptation. Guarding senses is key.
- Repentance, not condemnation, frees from shame.
- Righteousness requires changing both thoughts and actions.
- Marriage relationship protects from lust but does not automatically prevent it.
- Women struggle with lust and pornography also. Accountability applies to all.
3. What would be considered a significant ‘bible verse about lust’ that I could reflect on, meditate on, or use as a guide when seeking to understand the biblical perspective on overcoming sinful desires and maintaining purity?
Matthew 5:28 is an important bible verse about lust that gives essential understanding:
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
This verse equates lust with adultery. Reflecting on this brings sobriety about temptation.
4. Using relevant scriptures on lust, can you give me some practical steps that individuals and believers can take to resist temptation and overcome the struggles associated with lust?
- Identify triggers and eliminate sources of temptation (Matthew 5:29-30).
- Memorize Scripture to counter lustful thoughts (Psalm 119:11).
- Avoid environments conducive to lust like pornographic media.
- Connect regularly with accountability partners.
- Make no room for lust by cultivating purity (Job 31:1).
- Immediately reject lustful thoughts and pray against temptation.
- Focus on noble and praiseworthy things (Philippians 4:8).
5. What practical strategies can individuals employ to incorporate ‘scripture on lust’ into their daily lives, making it a central part of their decision-making and actions while striving for purity?
- Memorize verses warning against lust.
- Post relevant bible verses about lust around the house and office.
- Set electronic filters to block inappropriate content.
- Share struggles openly with a trusted mentor or group.
- Study passages on purity before making entertainment choices.
- Review each day for lustful thought patterns needing repentance.
- Listen to sermons addressing lust for motivation.
6. What are some specific examples from the scriptures that show biblical figures or stories exemplify the triumph over lust and the pursuit of holiness in God’s plan?
Examples include:
- Job making a covenant with his eyes to avoid lust (Job 31:1).
- Joseph fleeing sexual temptation (Genesis 39:7-12).
- David repenting after adultery (Psalm 51:1-12).
- Paul teaching believers to clothe themselves with Christ to defeat immorality (Romans 13:14).
7. In your ministry at Divine Disclosures, how have you witnessed Bible verses on lust being a transformative force in the lives of believers, influencing their understanding and experience of overcoming sinful desires? Could you share some powerful testimonials or insights?
I have seen many gain victory over pornography addictions and destructive thought habits after studying verses highlighting lust as morally equal to adultery. Some implemented controls and accountability after realizing the seriousness of mental lust from Christ’s teachings. Many reviews of thought-lives led to deep repentance and cleansing by the blood of Jesus. Believers testify to new freedom by renewing their minds according to biblical truth. God’s word proves powerful to destroy strongholds.
8. What bible verse on lust helps guide decisions and actions, especially when facing the challenges of resisting temptation and maintaining purity?
1 Corinthians 6:18 is a bible verse on lust that provides timely guidance:
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
This reminds us to actively run from lust rather than flirting with it.
9. Is there a scripture about lust that provides wisdom for daily living and facing the struggles with faith and perseverance?
Psalm 119:9-11 is a scripture about lust that gives wise counsel:
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word… I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Scripture memorization helps us walk purity with perseverance.
10. Is there a scripture for lust that empowers individuals to distinguish right from wrong and pursue a life of holiness?
Ephesians 5:3 is a scripture for lust that instructs plainly:
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity.”
This verse leaves no room for rationalization.
11. Can you recommend a scripture on lust to help individuals make decisions with a mindset of purity in alignment with God’s will?
1 Thessalonians 4:3 is a scripture on lust that gives a beneficial perspective:
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.”
Remembering God’s will for holiness strengthens resolve.
12. What bible verse on lust would you suggest I meditate on when seeking the strength to navigate the challenges of overcoming sinful desires?
1 Corinthians 10:13 is a bible verse on lust that encourages successfully resisting temptation:
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
13. Can you give me some good short bible quotes on lust, ideal for daily inspiration and encouragement, especially in times of temptation and struggles with impurity?
- “Flee from sexual immorality.” 1 Corinthians 6:18
- “Create in me a pure heart, O God.” Psalm 51:10
- “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Matthew 5:8
- “I have hidden your word in my heart.” Psalm 119:11
14. Are there any other resources that can help me understand and overcome lust in alignment with biblical principles?
Recommended resources include books like “Every Man’s Battle” by Stephen Arterburn, online ministries like Covenant Eyes and Setting Captives Free, and church discipleship groups focused on breaking free from pornography and sexual sin. Counseling can also help address underlying issues.
Moving Beyond This Article On Bible Verses About Lust
As we have seen, Scripture offers much conviction about lust yet points sinners to redemption through the transforming power of Christ. Bible verses about lust urge us to guard our eyes, make no provision for sinful cravings, and saturate our minds with what is pure rather than depraved. May these passages ignite victory amid temptation.
I encourage you to not just reference Bible verses about lust, but also continually pray through any feelings of inappropriate desire or temptation you face. Bring Him any moments of wandering eyes, impure thoughts, or adulterous longing you struggle with in prayer. Ask for help easing lustful tensions and seeing yourself and situations through His perspective of love and purity.
Additionally, explore other articles featuring Bible verses on various topics to keep examining thought patterns that may arouse lustful tendencies. Align your mindset to His holy presence that cleanses immorality. Lastly, share this article and Divine Disclosures with other believers who need to defeat lust. Together in God’s redemption plan, we gain power through the Spirit and community to walk out healing and deliverance step-by-step. As iron sharpens iron, we can gently restore those who fall along the way back to the Shepherd’s arms. We have everlasting hope for freedom found in Him alone.
