Understanding Lust and Its Spiritual Consequences

Lust represents an inappropriate longing to possess what cannot be obtained by legitimate means, distorting natural desires into self-centered cravings that disregard others and ignore lasting consequences.

The Nature of Lust

Lust is an unnatural, perverted, or very self-centered desire that transcends legitimate longing. God's command is not to covet what belongs to another; however, if you see what someone else has and put in the effort to obtain a similar result, it is not lust. Yet Scripture reminds us that "a man's life does not consist in his many possessions" and "contentment with godliness is a great blessing" (Ex 20:17; Lk 12:15; 1 Tim 6:6,8)

Lust occurs when a natural, wholesome desire becomes "I must have it at any price" regardless of conditions or cost. The focus shifts entirely to self and personal gratification. All perspective is lost as fleshly urges demand immediate satisfaction, without considering the feelings of others, what is best, or the long-term consequences. It only sees short-term self-gratification. Lust is the opposite of love, which is motivated by patience, giving, and doing the best for the other person.

Am I harbouring any wrong impure desires in my heart?

The Threefold Nature of Temptation

"The cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father" (1 Jn 2:16). The cravings of the flesh result from failing to discipline natural human passions. The lust of the eyes is the tendency to be captivated by outward show, while the pride of life represents pretentious egoism or selfishness. These three avenues of temptation have ensnared humanity since the Garden.

If the Holy Spirit convicts our conscience of lustful desires, we can respond either positively by repenting or negatively by rationalising and straying further from the light. Scripture instructs us not to make any provision for the sinful nature, instead "reckoning ourselves dead" to our life before we met Christ. (Rom 6:11, 13:14)

As Christians, we are not to live by the world's pattern, but be transformed by having renewed minds, thinking godly thoughts and relying on His divine power to escape the corruption of "lustful desires of sinful human nature" (Rom 12:2; Phil 4:8; 2 Pet 1:4, 2:18). We are to take captive every wrong thought, with our desires being under control (2 Cor 10:4-5; Gal 5:22-23). "Do not let sin reign in your life so you obey its evil desires" for although once we were slaves to lust, now we are overcomers as we follow Christ.

Am I controlled in my thought life?

Walking in Purity and Self-Control

While it is normal and natural for people of the opposite gender to be attracted to each other, it becomes sin when this interest turns into lust—the desire to do something sexually immoral. Jesus taught that impure sexual thoughts are sinful, not just the physical action (Mt 5:27-28). Job declared, "I will not look lustfully at a girl" (Job 31:1). The entry points into our minds, particularly our eyes, which fuel our imagination, need to be disciplined to keep us pure in thought and action (Ps 119:9,11; Prov 4:23; 1 Jn 2:15-16).

The Bible's advice is to "Treat older men as fathers, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with absolute purity" (1 Tim 5:1-2). We are to "flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness" by living in close relationship with Christ so sensual desires will not override the spiritual (Gal 5:16-18; 2 Tim 2:22). Deal with such dangers swiftly—"Can a person play with fire and not be burned?" (Prov 6:27-28).

Reflection and Application:

Examine your heart for any impure desires that have taken root.
Identify entry points that fuel lustful thoughts and guard them diligently.
Practise taking captive every thought and submitting it to Christ.
Cultivate contentment and gratitude as antidotes to covetousness.