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What Does the Bible Say About Lust?

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Lust is one of those words that feels heavy. It can stir up shame, secrecy, or maybe even denial. But here’s the truth: God actually designed desire; it’s not wrong to be attracted to or long for intimacy with your spouse. The danger is when desire gets twisted outside of God’s plan, leading to lust that consumes us instead of pointing us toward love.


So, what does the Bible actually say about lust? Let’s look at Scripture together and see how God calls us into purity, self-control, and covenant intimacy.


Lust in the Bible

Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 5:27–28 that lust isn’t just about physical actions:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

This isn’t about God wanting to squash desire, it’s about protecting our hearts. Lust always takes; love always gives.


Paul also writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 that God’s will for us is holiness:

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”

God doesn’t shame desire. He simply calls us to steward it rightly.


Desire vs. Lust

Desire is good when it draws you closer to your spouse (see Song of Songs 7:10: “I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me”). But desire becomes lust when it is directed at someone who is not your spouse, or when it’s fueled by selfishness and objectification.


Healthy desire leads to intimacy, connection, and unity. Lust leads to secrecy, shame, and distance.


Purity and Self-Control

Purity isn’t just about what you avoid; it’s about what you pursue. Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:22–23 that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. And in Job 31:1, Job declares:

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”

We need to be intentional about what we let into our minds and hearts. This is especially true in today’s world, where porn is only a click away.


Practical Tools for Purity

If lust and pornography have been a struggle in your marriage, you’re not alone. Many couples wrestle here, but there is hope.


One tool we recommend is Covenant Eyes (use the code KS30 for your first month free). It’s an accountability and filtering app that helps you and your spouse walk in freedom together by removing the secrecy and creating a safeguard against pornography use. We wrote a full blog post about how to use it here.


Pairing practical tools like Covenant Eyes with prayer, accountability, and intentional intimacy can make a huge difference.


Walking in Freedom

The Bible doesn’t just warn against lust, it points us toward freedom. God designed sex and desire to be a gift within marriage, not a trap of temptation.


If lust has been a struggle for you, don’t carry the shame alone. Talk with your spouse. Pray together. Bring it into the light. God’s grace is bigger than your past, and He delights in restoring what’s been broken.


If you think you may need some deeper help, we suggest going to a registered counselor. We love My Counselor Online as they are Christian and trained in sex therapy.


Keep Learning

If you and your spouse are walking through this, you may also want to check out our other resources:


Desire itself isn’t the problem; it’s where we direct it. God calls us to turn away from lust, not so we’ll miss out, but so we can experience intimacy the way He designed: free, holy, and deeply fulfilling.

 
 
 

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