Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Lusting?

12 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Lusting in the Bible

Discover 17 powerful Bible verses about lusting. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential sin & temptation topic.

12
Total Verses
1
Old Testament
11
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Lusting

  1. 1
    Job 31:1
    I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
    KJV
  2. 2
    Matthew 5:28
    But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Romans 3:23
    For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
    KJV
  4. 4
    Galatians 5:16
    This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ye: or, fulfil not
    KJV
  5. 5
    Galatians 5:17
    For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Galatians 5:24
    And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. affections: or, passions
    KJV
  7. 7
    Philippians 4:8
    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. honest: or, venerable
    KJV
  8. 8
    Hebrews 10:22
    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
    KJV
  9. 9
    Hebrews 13:4
    Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
    KJV
  10. 10
    James 1:14
    But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Lusting? (1 Verses)

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Lusting? (11 Verses)

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ye: or, fulfil not
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. affections: or, passions
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. honest: or, venerable
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. he that: or, that law which
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Lusting

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about lusting. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about lusting and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about lusting is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on lusting needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about lusting with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about lusting, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Lusting?

You have studied 12 verses about lusting. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about lusting?
Discover 17 powerful Bible verses about lusting. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential sin & temptation topic. The Bible contains 12 key verses about lusting spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about lusting are there?
There are 12 key Bible verses about lusting compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about lusting?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about lusting is Job 31:1 — "I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?"
Where in the Bible does it talk about lusting?
Lusting is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 12 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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