HOME ABOUT MARKETPLACE MINISTRY PODCAST FORGE GROUPS BLOG CONTACT US DONATE

LUST

Lust is often portrayed in the Bible as a sinful desire that leads to impurity, temptation, and separation from God’s will. It is a craving that distorts love, turning it into selfish gratification rather than a reflection of God’s holiness. Scripture warns against lust and encourages believers to pursue purity, self-control, and righteousness.

Lust Distorts God’s Design

Lust is a desire that goes beyond God’s intended boundaries for love and intimacy. While love is selfless and honors others, lust is selfish and seeks personal gratification at the expense of others.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT) – “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”

Lust Begins in the Heart

Jesus emphasized that sin is not just about actions but about the condition of the heart. Lustful thoughts are as dangerous as sinful actions because they corrupt the heart and lead to deeper sin.

  • Matthew 5:28 (NLT) – “But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Lust Leads to Destruction

Scripture warns that unchecked lust can lead to moral failure, broken relationships, and spiritual downfall. It enslaves rather than satisfies.

  • James 1:14-15 (NLT) – “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

  • Proverbs 6:25-26 (NLT) – “Don’t lust for her beauty. Don’t let her coy glances seduce you. For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.”

God Calls Us to Purity

God provides a way to overcome lust through His Spirit, calling us to walk in purity and self-control.

  • 2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT) – “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”

  • Galatians 5:16 (NLT) – “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

Overcoming Lust with God’s Help

  1. Guard Your Thoughts – “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.” (Philippians 4:8, NLT)

  2. Flee Temptation – Avoid situations that lead to lustful thoughts or actions.

  3. Walk in the Spirit – Depend on God’s strength to resist temptation.

  4. Renew Your Mind with Scripture – Let God’s Word shape your desires.

  5. Confess and Seek Accountability – Bring struggles before God and trusted believers.

Lust is a temptation that everyone faces, and through God’s grace, we can walk in purity, self-control, and righteousness. His Spirit empowers us to live in a way that honors Him and reflects His holiness.

God’s Heart on Lust

God’s heart on lust is one of love, holiness, and redemption. He desires for His people to walk in purity, honor, and self-control, reflecting His character rather than being enslaved by sinful desires. Lust distorts God's design for love and intimacy, replacing His perfect plan with selfish gratification. However, God does not condemn without offering grace and a way to overcome temptation. His heart is for us to find true satisfaction in Him, rather than in fleeting, sinful desires.

God Calls Us to Holiness

God’s desire is for us to live holy lives, set apart for Him. Lust is a distortion of His gift of intimacy, turning something sacred into something selfish.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT) – “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”

God does not want us to be controlled by lust, but rather to walk in holiness and honor, recognizing our bodies as temples of His Spirit.

God Cares About the Condition of Our Hearts

Lust is not just about outward actions—it begins in the heart. Jesus made it clear that purity is a matter of the heart, and God desires our hearts to be fully devoted to Him.

  • Matthew 5:28 (NLT) – “But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

God’s heart is for us to be transformed from the inside out, focusing on purity in both thought and action.

God Provides a Way to Overcome Lust

Though lust is a powerful temptation, God does not leave us without help. He gives us His Spirit, His Word, and the strength to resist temptation.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) – “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

God’s heart is not to shame us but to lead us into freedom. He provides a way to overcome temptation and live in victory.

God Offers Grace and Redemption

Even if we have fallen into lust, God’s heart is full of mercy. He calls us to repentance and offers His forgiveness.

  • 1 John 1:9 (NLT) – “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

God’s heart is not about condemnation but about restoration. He desires to cleanse us and renew our hearts so we can walk in His love and purity.

God’s Heart is for True Love, Not Lust

Lust is selfish and fleeting, but God’s design for love is selfless and enduring. His heart is for us to experience love as He intended—pure, faithful, and rooted in His character.

  • Ephesians 5:3 (NLT) – “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.”

God’s heart is for us to walk in His ways, embracing true love and rejecting anything that leads us away from Him.

Living in God’s Heart for Purity

  1. Seek God First – Make Him your greatest desire.

  2. Guard Your Heart – Avoid things that feed lustful thoughts.

  3. Depend on the Holy Spirit – Ask Him for strength to resist temptation.

  4. Pursue Purity – Fill your mind with God’s truth.

  5. Walk in Grace – If you’ve fallen, repent and receive God’s forgiveness.

God’s heart is for us to experience true love, freedom, and intimacy in the way He designed. He calls us to walk in holiness, and He also walks with us, providing grace and strength to live in purity.

Key Scriptures on Lust

Lust is a powerful temptation, but God's Word provides guidance on overcoming it and walking in purity.

Lust Begins in the Heart

  • Matthew 5:28 – “But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
    Jesus teaches that lust is not just about actions but starts in the heart.

Flee from Lust and Sexual Sin

  • 1 Corinthians 6:18 – “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.”
    God calls us to flee from lust and anything that leads to sexual sin.

God Calls Us to Purity

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”
    Lust dishonors God’s design for purity and holiness.

Temptation Can Be Resisted

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
    God always provides a way to resist lustful temptation.

Guard Your Eyes and Mind

  • Job 31:1 – “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.”
    Making a commitment to guard our eyes helps in overcoming lust.

The Holy Spirit Gives Strength

  • Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
    Relying on the Holy Spirit helps us overcome lustful desires.

Lust Leads to Destruction

  • James 1:14-15 – “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”
    Lust, if unchecked, leads to sin and spiritual destruction.

Focus on Things That Honor God

  • Philippians 4:8 – “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
    Replacing lustful thoughts with God’s truth helps us stay pure.

Lust is a battle of the heart and mind, and through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to purity, we can overcome it. God calls us to flee from lust, guard our hearts, and seek His strength to walk in holiness.

DISCLAIMER NOTICE: The information contained in this resource is general in nature and is not intended to provide or be a substitute for advice, consultation or treatment with a duly licensed mental health practitioner or other medical professional. This resource is intended to provide practical faith-based guidelines for balanced living and is not a replacement for medical advice. Professional services should be pursued whenever necessary and/or appropriate. By utilizing this resource, individuals acknowledge that Men of Faith is not providing direct clinically-oriented mental health treatment or therapy, and that it does not create a therapeutic relationship between any individual and Men of Faith.  Individuals who use this resource also agree to indemnify and hold harmless, Men of Faith, its licensees, affiliates, and assigns, as well as the officers, agents, and employees of Men of Faith and its licensees, affiliates, and assigns, from and against any and all liability, loss, damages, costs, charges, legal fees, recoveries, judgments, penalties, and expenses, which may be obtained against, imposed upon or suffered by Men of Faith. Additionally, certain views and opinions expressed in this resource may be those from sources other than Men of Faith and do not necessarily represent the views of Men of Faith, nor imply an endorsement by Men of Faith. All rights are reserved worldwide and no part of this resource may be reproduced in any form (print or electronic) without the expressed written permission of Men of Faith.