Topical Bible: Lusts

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Definition and Nature:
In the biblical context, "lusts" refer to intense and often unrestrained desires or cravings, particularly those that are sinful or contrary to God's will. The term is frequently associated with sexual immorality but can also encompass a broader range of covetous desires, including greed and the pursuit of worldly pleasures.

Old Testament References:
The concept of lust is present in the Old Testament, often linked with idolatry and the turning away from God. In the Ten Commandments, the prohibition against coveting (Exodus 20:17) addresses the root of lustful desires, emphasizing the importance of contentment and trust in God's provision.

New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament provides a more explicit treatment of lusts, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus warns against lustful thoughts, equating them with the act of adultery itself: "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). This teaching underscores the seriousness of internal desires and the need for purity of heart.

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the issue of lusts in his epistles. In Romans 1:24, he describes how God "gave them over to the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another" , illustrating the consequences of unchecked lust. Paul exhorts believers to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its desires" (Romans 13:14), highlighting the call to live a life led by the Spirit rather than the flesh.

In Galatians 5:16-17, Paul contrasts the desires of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit: "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh" . This passage emphasizes the ongoing spiritual battle within believers and the necessity of relying on the Holy Spirit to overcome sinful desires.

James and Peter on Lusts:
James addresses the destructive nature of lusts, linking them to conflict and sin: "What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?" (James 4:1). He warns that unchecked desires lead to spiritual adultery and enmity with God.

The Apostle Peter also warns against the dangers of lusts, urging believers to abstain from "fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). He encourages a life of holiness and self-control, recognizing the temporary nature of worldly desires.

Practical Implications for Believers:
Believers are called to live lives marked by holiness and self-control, resisting the temptations of lust. This involves a conscious effort to renew the mind (Romans 12:2) and to set one's heart on things above (Colossians 3:2). The pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace is encouraged as a means to combat the influence of lusts (2 Timothy 2:22).

Conclusion:
While the Bible acknowledges the reality of lusts and their potential to lead individuals away from God, it also provides a path to victory through the power of the Holy Spirit and the transformative work of Christ. Believers are encouraged to seek God's strength in overcoming these desires and to live lives that reflect His holiness and love.

Greek

1939. epithumia -- desire, passionate longing, lust
... desire, passionate longing, lust NASB Word Usage coveting (2), desire (4), desires
(8), earnestly (1), impulses (1), long (1), lust (5), lustful (1), lusts (15 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1939.htm - 7k

4754. strateuo -- to make war, hence to serve as a soldier
... Spelling: (strat-yoo'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I wage war, fight Definition: I
wage war, fight, serve as a soldier; fig: of the warring lusts against the soul ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4754.htm - 7k

2237. hedone -- pleasure
... made an . That is, the satiation of bodily desires (lusts) other things.
[2237 is the root of the English terms, "," ". Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2237.htm - 7k

Library

Unnatural Lusts.
... Homily V. Chapter XV."Unnatural Lusts. "And not to spend the time in an endless
exposition, you will find numerous unions with Jupiter of all the gods. ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xv unnatural lusts.htm

For the Flesh Lusts after Nothing Save through the Soul...
... Section 19. For the flesh lusts after nothing save through the soul? 19.
For the flesh lusts after nothing save through the soul ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 19 for the flesh.htm

Knowledge Deadens Lusts.
... Book IX. Chapter XIV."Knowledge Deadens Lusts. "But if, while in this
life, they had placed before their eyes the punishments ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xiv knowledge deadens lusts.htm

That Bodily Lusts are not Extinguished Except by the Entire ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XI. That bodily lusts are not extinguished except by
the entire rooting out of vice. For it is an impossibility ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi that bodily lusts.htm

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. And they that are Christ's have ...
... Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity. And they that are Christ's have crucified
the flesh with the affections and lusts. And they that ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/fourteenth sunday after trinity and.htm

Let those who have Been or who are Guilty of Bestial Lusts...
... Canon XVI. Let those who have been or who are guilty of bestial lusts?
Let those who have been or who are guilty of bestial lusts ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xvi let those who.htm

The Various Developments of Idolatry: Worship of the Heavenly ...
... 9. The various developments of idolatry: worship of the heavenly bodies, the elements,
natural objects, fabulous creatures, personified lusts, men living and ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 9 the various developments.htm

He, Now Given to Divine Things, and yet Entangled by the Lusts of ...
... Book VIII. Chapter I."He, Now Given to Divine Things, and Yet Entangled by the Lusts
of Love, Consults Simplicianus in Reference to the Renewing of His Mind. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter i he now given to.htm

A Question, How it is that in the Apostle's Chapter, after He Has ...
... A question, how it is that in the Apostle's chapter, after he has spoken of the
lusts of the flesh and spirit opposing one another, he adds a third thing; viz ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii a question how.htm

The Conclusion an Examination and Comparison of Each of the Three ...
... mean one who yet bears about with him mortal flesh, who is not yet become spiritual
in the flesh, and who still has and feels within himself the lusts of the ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/the conclusion an examination and.htm

Thesaurus

Lusts (28 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lusts (28 Occurrences). ... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS). John 8:44
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. ...
/l/lusts.htm - 14k

Passions (26 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV BBE NAS RSV). Romans 6:12 Therefore don't let sin reign in your
mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. (See RSV). ...
/p/passions.htm - 17k

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)
... Peter (1 Peter 4:3) mentions those who "walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings,
revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries." He speaks (2 Peter 2 ...
/l/lasciviousness.htm - 11k

Thereof (845 Occurrences)
... because thereof. (ASV). John 8:44 Ye are of 'your' father the devil, and
the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a ...
/t/thereof.htm - 35k

Sinful (61 Occurrences)
... will live. (See NIV). Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts. (See NIV). 1 ...
/s/sinful.htm - 23k

Lust (42 Occurrences)
... in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the centre of all moral forces
and impulses and of spiritual activity." In Mark 4:19 "lusts" are objects of ...
/l/lust.htm - 24k

Walking (189 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 4:3 For the time past is sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-drinking, revels, drinkings ...
/w/walking.htm - 37k

Mockers (14 Occurrences)
... Mockers (14 Occurrences). 2 Peter 3:3 knowing this first, that in the last days
mockers will come, walking after their own lusts, (WEB ASV DBY NAS). ...
/m/mockers.htm - 9k

Sensuality (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 4:3 For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles,
and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings ...
/s/sensuality.htm - 9k

Swelling (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:18 For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the
lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from ...
/s/swelling.htm - 13k

Resources

How can I overcome temptation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the lust of the flesh? | GotQuestions.org

What is Carnival? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Lusts (28 Occurrences)

Mark 4:19
and the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

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.
(KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Romans 1:24
Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Romans 1:26
For this reason God gave them up to vile lusts; for both their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature;
(DBY NIV)

Romans 6:12
Therefore don't let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Galatians 5:17
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.
(WEB DBY)

Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

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.
(KJV DBY WBS NAS)

Ephesians 4:22
that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

1 Timothy 6:9
But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

2 Timothy 2:22
Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
(WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

2 Timothy 3:6
For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Titus 2:12
instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

Titus 3:3
For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

James 4:1
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
(KJV WBS)

James 4:3
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
(KJV WBS)

1 Peter 1:14
as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
(WEB KJV DBY WBS NAS)

1 Peter 4:2
that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

1 Peter 4:3
For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

2 Peter 2:18
For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS)

2 Peter 3:3
knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

1 John 2:17
The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever.
(WEB NAS)

Jude 1:16
These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons to gain advantage.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Jude 1:18
They said to you that "In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts."
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Numbers 15:39
and it shall be unto you for a tassel, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of Jehovah, and do them; and that ye seek not after the lusts of your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye go a whoring;
(DBY NIV)

Subtopics

Lusts

Related Terms

Vigorous (9 Occurrences)

Lute (13 Occurrences)

Lusts (28 Occurrences)

Valiant (66 Occurrences)

Valor (45 Occurrences)

Valour (66 Occurrences)

Neighing (3 Occurrences)

Noonday (13 Occurrences)

Lustful (10 Occurrences)