What Does the Bible Say About Lust?
The Bible speaks clearly and forcefully about lust—not merely as a physical desire gone astray, but as a heart-level distortion of God's good design for love, sexuality, and human dignity. In Jesus’ teaching, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, lust is exposed not simply as a temptation but as a form of hidden sin that corrupts the heart long before any external action takes place.
In this article, we will explore how the Bible defines lust, why it is spiritually dangerous, how Jesus addresses it, and what the path of purity looks like for followers of Christ.
1. Lust in the Bible: More Than a Physical Act
The Bible does not treat lust as a harmless fantasy or private indulgence. Instead, it presents lust as a violation of God’s will for the body and soul. While the seventh commandment prohibits adultery (Exodus 20:14), Jesus deepens the standard by addressing the heart behind the action.
In Matthew 5:27–28, Jesus says:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Here, lust is defined as a willful gaze to arouse desire. It is not a passing thought, but an intentional inward act—something that starts in the heart and expresses a disordered longing for what does not belong to us.
The Bible teaches that sin is not limited to behavior. It originates from within: "For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality..." (Matthew 15:19). Lust, then, is not a small issue—it is an expression of the heart’s rebellion against God.
2. Lust Distorts the Image of God in Others
Another reason the Bible speaks strongly against lust is because it reduces a person—made in the image of God—to an object of consumption. Instead of honoring others with purity and respect, lustful thoughts exploit and dehumanize.
Key biblical points include:
Every person is made in God's image (Genesis 1:27).
Our bodies are not our own; they are meant to glorify God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
Viewing others through the lens of lust defiles not only the mind, but our relationship with others and with God.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 are not just a warning—they are a call to live in a radically different way. His followers are to reflect a heavenly ethic, showing reverence for the body and resisting the corrupt patterns of the world.
3. The Call to Purity in Heart and Body
The Sermon on the Mount outlines what it means to belong to the Kingdom of God. One of its clearest messages is that purity begins in the heart. Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). This purity includes resisting lust, guarding our thoughts, and cultivating inward holiness.
The Bible emphasizes that:
Holiness is not merely external; it is a matter of internal integrity.
Lust is spiritually dangerous because it often leads to greater outward sins.
Radical repentance is required—Jesus even uses the hyperbolic imagery of cutting off one’s hand or plucking out an eye (Matthew 5:29–30) to show the seriousness of the issue.
To fight lust, the Bible urges believers to “flee sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18) and to “set your minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2). The Christian life is a battle between the flesh and the Spirit, and victory begins with submission to God’s Word.
4. Lust, the Gospel, and the Redemption of Desire
Although the Bible condemns lust, it also holds out a redemptive hope. The Gospel is not simply about avoiding sin—it’s about being transformed from the inside out. Jesus didn’t come just to forgive sinners, but to make them new.
The good news is that:
Christ died for all kinds of sin—including lust.
Believers are given new hearts through the Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26).
Sanctification includes the renewal of our desires and affections.
In this light, the Bible's message about lust is not only corrective but restorative. Rather than being ruled by distorted desires, Christians are empowered to desire what is good, true, and beautiful. Through union with Christ, we are called to pursue a life of purity—not out of fear, but in love and gratitude.
This perspective aligns with the broader story of Scripture: a renewed humanity living in faithful communion with God, where bodies are not abused but glorified, and where desire is no longer disordered but directed toward God.
5. A New Way to See Others: Honor, Not Lust
Jesus teaches that the way we look at others reveals what is in our hearts. The Bible does not present lust as a mere problem of the eyes—it’s a spiritual issue that speaks to how we value others.
Rather than looking with lust, believers are called to:
Look at others with dignity and compassion, not exploitation.
View the body as sacred, not for selfish pleasure.
Treat brothers and sisters in Christ as family, not fantasy (1 Timothy 5:2).
This renewed vision is part of what it means to walk in the light of Christ. As the world continues to objectify and commodify people, the church is called to shine as a contrast—a community shaped not by lust, but by holy love.
Conclusion: What the Bible Says About Lust
In summary, what does the Bible say about lust? It says that lust is not just a private issue—it’s a heart-level sin that distorts God’s image, damages human relationships, and dishonors the body. Jesus calls His followers to something higher: purity of heart, love for neighbor, and desire that is redeemed by the Gospel.
Rather than excusing or hiding lust, the Bible brings it into the light—where grace, truth, and transformation can begin. In a culture that normalizes sexual brokenness, the people of God are called to be distinct, holy, and whole.
Bible verses about lust:
Matthew 5:28, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
1 Thessalonians 4:3, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality."
James 1:14, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed."
2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
1 Peter 2:11, "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul."
Romans 13:14, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
Galatians 5:16, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."
Colossians 3:5, "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
Proverbs 6:25, "Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids."
Job 31:1, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?"
