Lust
“Strong desire, longing”
Summary
In Scripture, strong sinful desire—whether for forbidden objects or excessive craving that displaces God and leads to sin.
☩Nature of Lust
In the ethical sense, lust denotes sinful longings—either directed toward absolutely forbidden objects or so violent as to overcome self-control and engross the mind with earthly, carnal things. Lust is itself sinful as it represents estrangement from God, destroys true spiritual life, brings the spirit into subjection to the flesh, and makes one a slave of sin (Romans 6:12; 7:7-8). Jesus taught that lustful looking is equivalent to adultery committed in the heart (Matthew 5:28).
☩Biblical Usage
The Greek word 'epithumia' (desire) can be used positively—Jesus 'desired' to eat the Passover with His disciples (Luke 22:15), and Paul 'desired' to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23). However, it most often denotes evil desire: 'the lusts of other things' that choke the word (Mark 4:19), 'the lusts of your father the devil' (John 8:44), and 'deceitful lusts' of the old nature (Ephesians 4:22). James describes the progression: desire conceives, gives birth to sin, and sin produces death (James 1:14-15).
☩Victory Over Lust
Scripture teaches that lust is overcome through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Believers are to 'walk in the Spirit' and not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16), to 'flee youthful lusts' (2 Timothy 2:22), and to deny 'ungodliness and worldly lusts' (Titus 2:12). Those who are Christ's have 'crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts' (Galatians 5:24). The love of God received in regeneration destroys sinful lust by bringing believers into union with God.
Related Verses54 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lust," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Lust," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).