Lust seems to be celebrated in our culture today. With the common belief that you should follow your heart or pursue what makes you happy, it’s open season for emotions and unchecked responses. What is lust? What does the Bible say about lust? As Christians, it's important to step back from cultural norms when answering these questions. The word lust carries a negative connotation, yet we do not always recognize it. It can show up as wandering thoughts, unchecked fantasies, misplaced desire, or a private longing that slowly pulls the heart away from God. Instead, some of what could be classified as lustful is often nicknamed away with cuter phraseology like “celebrity hall pass,” “freebie list,” “eye candy,” “book boyfriend,” “guilty pleasure crush,” and similar terms. It’s laughed away as harmless. A “look but don’t touch” philosophy.
So does the Bible have anything to say about lust? And if so, does our laissez-faire approach of letting people do as they choose and not imposing strict boundaries align with Scripture?
What Is Lust According to the Bible? Is it a Sin?
According to the Bible, lust is defined not just as a word, but as a part of a process. In James 1:14-15 we read:
"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 conception of desire—or lust—is a longing after something with passion and wishful intent. Once desire has been given life, this passage then states that it gives birth to sin. Take note of the words “when” and “has.” The tense implies an active state. The word “conceived” implies past tense, in that it has already taken place. This would indicate that desire/lust has already been given life to grow and take root, and the inevitable outcome is that it will give birth to sin. One can conclude that lust is an active part of the sinful process and should be avoided.
What Did Jesus Say about Lust?
The most popular words Jesus spoke on the subject of lust are found in 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.”
These words from Jesus Himself indicate that lust is an act of adultery in and of itself. Adultery has been clearly stated in the Bible as sin.
Exodus 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery."
So from Christ’s mouth to our ears, lust is, in and of itself, sinful. He continues in Mark 7:20-23 to say:
“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.'”
Again, the word “adultery” is used, and in reference back to Matthew 5:28, if “lust” equals “adultery” and “adultery” equals “sin,” then we can draw a strong conclusion that the answer to the question “Is lust a sin?” is affirmatively yes.
Bible Verses about Lust and Temptation
There is quite a long list of Scriptures in both the Old and the New Testaments that address the evil, or the implied evil, of lust and temptation. Here are several:
- Job 31:1 - “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
- Psalm 101:3 – “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” (or in the NIV, “worthless” is translated to “vile”)
- Colossians 3:5 - Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (again, in the NIV, “passion” is translated to “lust”)
Many of the Bible verses are blatant when referring to lust as “sexual immorality,” “impurity,” “the desires of the flesh,” and so on. Returning to James 1:14, we read, "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” This verse directly links temptation to lust. Temptation is the moment of decision whether to enter into sin (lust) or to turn away.
Before you begin to panic that attraction or love equals lust and is therefore sinful, let’s also look at an important question.
How is Lust Different from Love or Attraction?
A very core difference is the consequences of each. Love gives, lust takes.
I Corinthians 13:4-7 says: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
All of the characteristics given as a definition for love also incur self-sacrifice and a giving of oneself. In comparison, lust is about gratification of oneself and giving in to selfish desires—actions that are meant to take from someone or something and satisfy oneself.
Attraction isn’t looked down upon biblically. It is an appreciation of something one finds beautiful or praiseworthy or even is drawn to in a pure and appreciative way. Song of Solomon identifies the beauty seen in the one whom he loves. (Solomon 1:15). Genesis refers to Rachel as having a “lovely figure and was beautiful” in the story of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 29:17).
Attraction gives way to lust when the looking and the appreciation become a lingering with an intent to take. When it transfers from appreciation to coveting. When desire becomes a working fantasy.
Why Does the Bible Warn Us about Lust?
Scripture is actually very descriptive about the dangers of lust, and it goes beyond a simple warning of “stay away from it” to laying out in detail what takes place when lust is given root. In reference to James 1:14-15 again, we see the pattern of desire leads to sin, which leads to death.
The very concept that lust leads to death is startling. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), and death isn’t just death of the physical body, but it is eternal separation from Christ. It is a spiritual death. But if that alone isn’t enough of a warning, consider that lust also destroys our wisdom and our judgment.
Proverbs 6:32 says, “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.” (Remember, Jesus stated that lust is already the committing of adultery). Proverbs 7 continues with this idea, describing the foolishness of youth who follow after lust. They are described like an animal too dumb to see a trap that is set for them. In other words, lust literally blinds your judgment.
And while there are many examples, one need only turn to the Old Testament example of David and Bathsheba. Lust evolved into adultery, deception, murder, family dysfunction, and even the death of the child conceived in the act of adultery, which began with lust.
How Can Christians Overcome Lust?
Now that we’ve drawn some heavy conclusions about lust, we may be wondering what hope there is of overcoming it.
Scripture is generous with examples of how to handle desires that are rooted in sin.
2 Timothy 2:22 says, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
This verse gives two very strong instructions: Flee youthful passions. Pursue righteousness …
To be clear, fleeing doesn’t mean trying to fight something off or simply turning away from it; it means to run. If you have ever watched a movie in which a character is sprinting in fear from a natural disaster, a zombie, a villain, or what-have-you, that is the type of fleeing that this verse evokes. You run away from danger and stop for nothing so you can get out alive!
You could even pray as you’re running: “Lord, save me!” Sometimes we think we need eloquent prayers or carefully curated words, but in an emergency situation, such as temptation to lust, crying out for help is a true sign of desperation and a willingness to be rescued.
To be clear, lust isn’t something that is unique only to men. While it seems it’s often attributed especially to males, women are by no means immune. Women struggle with lust, too, and it’s deceptive to believe that women are somehow excluded from these warnings.
In conclusion, it’s critical that we do not fall victim to culture’s dumbing down of sin into cute phrases, exceptions to what’s right, and somehow “normal” behavior. It’s apparent, when digging into Scripture, that lust is not something to treat lightly or play around with. It leads to death—physically and spiritually. That is a blunt truth, but one that is too often excused away.
Prayer to Fight against Lust
Hold this scripture and prayer close as you seek to guard your heart and mind against the destructive nature of lust:
Philippians 4:8-9 – “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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Lord, I bring my thoughts and desires before You. Help me turn away from lust and anything that pulls my heart from holiness. Renew my mind, strengthen my self-control, and remind me that Your grace is greater than my shame. Teach me to seek You when temptation feels strong and to walk in purity, peace, and freedom. Amen.
Photo credit: Getty/Jantanee Rungpranomkorn
Jaime Jo Wright is an ECPA and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. Her novel “The House on Foster Hill” won the prestigious Christy Award and she continues to publish Gothic thrillers for the inspirational market. Jaime Jo resides in the woods of Wisconsin, lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimewrightbooks.com and at her podcast madlitmusings.com where she discusses the deeper issues of story and faith with fellow authors.
