Lord’s Library editors answer the question “What does the Bible say about lust?” with specific Bible references.
Have you ever asked yourself the question “What does the Bible say about lust?” If you have, you’re definitely not alone! And since the Bible helps Christians form a foundational understanding of important topics, it’s imperative that one know how Scripture describes lust in different contexts.
The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines lust as “Concupiscence; carnal appetite; unlawful desire of carnal pleasure. Evil propensity; depraved affections and desires.”
Lord’s Library editors thought it would be a helpful exercise to provide Biblical context. As a result, we compiled this short resource which captures all notable mentions of the word lust, as well as its other forms. If you’ve been wondering what the King James Bible says about lust, scroll on for additional detail.
Note: If you want to know what the Bible says about lust and 206 other important topics (to be exact), our editors recommend Spencer Smith’s Doctrine Matters: Bible Topic Guidebook.
What Does the Bible Say About Lust?
1 John 2:15-17
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Mark 4:19
“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
John 8:44
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Romans 1:24
“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:”
Romans 6:12
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”
Romans 13:14
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
Ephesians 2:3
“Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
Ephesians 4:22
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”
2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
2 Timothy 4:3
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
Titus 2:12
“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
Titus 3:3
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”
James 4:1
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”
James 4:3
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
1 Peter 4:2
“That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.”
1 Peter 4:3-4
“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:”
Jude 1:8
“Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.”
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