Introduction – What God Says About Lust
Lust, a topic often shrouded in discomfort and misunderstanding, is addressed with clarity and seriousness in the Bible. Defined as an intense, uncontrolled desire or longing, especially of a sexual nature, lust is depicted as contrary to God’s design for purity and self-control. This article delves into the scriptural understanding of lust, its dangers, and the divine guidance offered for resisting and overcoming it, providing insights into how one can align with the values of holiness and integrity that the Bible upholds.
What is Lust Defined as in the Bible?
The Bible offers clear descriptions and warnings about the nature of lust.
• Adultery in the Heart: Matthew 5:28 (ESV): “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Jesus elevates the command against adultery, teaching that lustful thoughts are equivalent to the act itself, thus emphasizing the importance of purity in thought and intention.
• Desire Giving Birth to Sin: James 1:14-15 (ESV): “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.”
This passage describes the process by which unchecked desires, including lust, can lead to sin and its destructive consequences, highlighting the need for self-control and vigilance.
• The Lust of the Flesh: 1 John 2:16 (ESV): “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.”
John categorizes lust as a worldly desire that is contrary to the will of God, encouraging believers to resist such temptations and live according to divine values.
• Exchanging Truth for a Lie: Romans 1:24-25 (ESV): “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…”
Paul warns about the dangers of yielding to lustful desires, which can lead to a rejection of God’s truth and a descent into further immorality.
The Dangers of Lust
The Scriptures detail the harmful consequences of succumbing to lust.
• Destruction and Disgrace: Proverbs 6:25-26 (ESV): “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.”
Solomon warns against the dangers of lustful desires, especially towards another man’s wife, highlighting the potential for personal ruin and moral downfall.
• Sensuality Leading to Greed: Ephesians 4:19 (ESV): “They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.”
Paul describes a state of moral insensitivity where individuals surrender to sensuality and greed, illustrating how lust can lead to a wide range of sinful behaviors.
• Eyes Full of Adultery: 2 Peter 2:14 (ESV): “They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!”
Peter condemns those whose lives are dominated by lustful desires, portraying them as dangerous and morally corrupt, leading others astray. We should be constantly aware of where both our eyes and hearts are.
• Flee from Sexual Immorality: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV): “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
This admonition to flee from sexual immorality underscores the unique nature of sins of lust, which involve and affect one’s own body, a temple of the Holy Spirit.
In the next part, we will explore the contrast between lust and godly love, the role of the Holy Spirit in overcoming lust, and the importance of mindset in battling this temptation.
Lust vs. Godly Love
The Bible draws a clear distinction between the destructive nature of lust and the purity of godly love.
• Love is Patient and Kind: 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (ESV): “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.”
Paul’s description of love contrasts sharply with the selfish, possessive nature of lust. True love seeks the good of others, is selfless, and aligns with truth.
• The Passion of True Love: Song of Solomon 8:6-7 (ESV): “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.”
The Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty and intensity of love within the context of marriage, presenting it as a powerful force, unlike the fleeting, self-centered nature of lust.
• Not Even a Hint of Immorality: Ephesians 5:3 (ESV): “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”
This verse encourages believers to live in a way that is distinctly different from the world, marked by purity and a complete absence of lustful behavior.
• Living to Please God: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (ESV): “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;”
Paul instructs believers to control their bodies in holiness, emphasizing that lustful passions are contrary to God’s will and the believer’s call to sanctification.
How to Overcome Lust in the Bible?
Relying on the Holy Spirit and God’s guidance is essential in overcoming the temptation of lust.
• Walking by the Spirit: Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): “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…”
Paul encourages believers to live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, which empowers them to resist the desires of the flesh, including lust.
• Setting the Mind on the Spirit: Romans 8:5-6 (ESV): “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.”
This passage highlights the importance of mindset in spiritual life. Focusing on the Spirit leads to life and peace, contrary to the death brought by fleshly desires.
• Fleeing Youthful Passions: 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV): “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
Timothy is advised to actively avoid lustful desires and instead pursue virtues that are in line with a life dedicated to God.
• Guarding the Heart: Psalm 119:9-11 (ESV): “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
The psalmist recognizes the power of God’s word in maintaining purity, suggesting that internalizing scripture is a key defense against sin, including lust.
The Role of the Mind in Battling Lust
The mind plays a crucial role in resisting and overcoming the temptation of lust.
• Transformation Through Renewed Mind: Romans 12:2 (ESV): “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.”
Paul emphasizes the importance of a renewed mind for discerning God’s will, implying that changing how one thinks is essential in overcoming sinful desires.
• Thinking on What is Noble: Philippians 4:8 (ESV): “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.”
This exhortation to focus thoughts on what is pure and noble is a practical strategy for combating lustful thoughts and desires. We need to be aware of how our media intake sets us in the opposite direction.
• Setting Minds on Things Above: Colossians 3:2 (ESV): “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.”
Believers are encouraged to focus their thoughts on heavenly realities rather than earthly desires, aligning their minds with God’s perspective.
• Heart Reflects True Nature: Matthew 15:19 (ESV): “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.”
Jesus teaches that sin, including lust, originates in the heart and mind, highlighting the need for internal transformation to overcome these evils.
In the next part, we will explore the role of community and accountability in fighting lust, God’s forgiveness and restoration, and conclude with a summary of biblical teachings on overcoming lust.
Accountability and Community in Fighting Lust
The role of Christian community and accountability is crucial in resisting and overcoming lust.
• Iron Sharpens Iron: Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
This proverb suggests that mutual support and accountability among believers are essential for personal growth and overcoming temptations like lust.
• Two Are Better Than One: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV): “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow…”
The writer of Ecclesiastes highlights the benefits of companionship and support in facing life’s challenges, including moral and spiritual struggles.
• Confessing Sins to One Another: James 5:16 (ESV): “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James encourages confession and mutual prayer as means of healing and overcoming sins, including those of a lustful nature.
• Spurring One Another to Love and Good Deeds: Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…”
This passage urges believers to motivate each other towards love and righteousness, emphasizing the importance of regular fellowship for moral support.
God’s Forgiveness and Restoration from Lust
The themes of repentance, God’s forgiveness, and restoration are central for those struggling with lust.
• Confessing and Receiving Forgiveness: 1 John 1:9 (ESV): “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
John assures believers of God’s willingness to forgive and cleanse those who confess their sins, offering hope for restoration from lustful behaviors.
• Creating a Pure Heart: Psalm 51:10 (ESV): “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
David’s prayer for a renewed heart and spirit demonstrates the desire for and possibility of inner transformation following sin, including lust.
• Healing and Forgiveness: 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
This promise of healing and forgiveness is extended to those who genuinely repent and turn away from their sinful practices, including lust.
• No Condemnation in Christ: John 8:10-11 (ESV): “Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'”
Jesus’ response to the woman caught in adultery highlights His mercy and forgiveness, coupled with the call to leave a life of sin.
Conclusion
The biblical narrative on lust provides a comprehensive guide on understanding, resisting, and overcoming this temptation. Scripture emphasizes the seriousness of lust, warning of its consequences while offering practical strategies for staying pure, including renewing the mind, seeking community support, and relying on the Holy Spirit. Importantly, the Bible also speaks of God’s readiness to forgive and restore those who fall into lust, offering hope and encouragement for a journey towards holiness and integrity. In a world where lustful temptations are pervasive, these scriptural principles serve as a beacon, guiding believers towards a life marked by purity, self-control, and a deeper relationship with God.