In the King James Version of the Bible, lust is often described as an intense longing or craving, particularly for sinful desires, as seen in James 1:14-15, which states that lust leads to sin and ultimately to death. It is viewed as a harmful desire that can lead individuals away from God’s will.
Scripture
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’”
28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
KJV Bible Definition of Lust
The concept of lust in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is multifaceted and deeply woven into the moral fabric of biblical teachings. Lust, particularly in the context of James 1:14-15, serves as a powerful warning against the natural inclinations of the human heart. James articulates that while temptation may arise from one’s own desires, it is the yielding to these intense cravings that leads to sin, which, in turn, culminates in spiritual death. This understanding underscores the perilous nature of unchecked desires and suggests that the path from lust to sin is insidious, often masquerading as a harmless craving that ultimately separates individuals from their divine purpose.
Moreover, Jesus expands upon this idea in Matthew 5:27-28, where He teaches that lusting after someone in one’s heart is akin to committing adultery. This radical perspective elevates the understanding of sin beyond mere actions to include thoughts and intentions, revealing that lust distorts one’s view of others, objectifying them rather than recognizing their inherent dignity as God’s creations. In this broader context, biblical lust signifies not only a personal struggle but also a communal impact, reflecting how individual desires can disrupt relationships and alienate believers from their covenant with God. Ultimately, the biblical depiction of lust calls for a deep introspection into our desires and urges believers to pursue purer, godly desires that align with God’s will, emphasizing the transformative power of love and self-control as antidotes to lustful inclinations.
Further explorations of lust within the KJV context can be found in the writings of the Apostle Paul, who addresses the issue of sexual immorality and the broader implications of lust in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Paul advises believers to flee from fornication, as it is a sin against one’s own body—a temple of the Holy Ghost. Here, lust is not just a private matter; it has profound consequences for the individual and their relationship with the divine. Paul highlights that engaging in lustful behavior distorts the sacredness of one’s body and the very relationship one holds with God. Consequently, the battle against lust becomes a crucial aspect of Christian life, urging believers to reflect on the sanctity of their bodies and to honor God through their choices.
Additionally, the narrative in Proverbs often provides wisdom literature that denotes the dangers of lustful desires. Proverbs 6:25 warns against allowing one’s heart to be led astray by the allure of an adulteress, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and understanding in resisting seductive temptations. The imagery used throughout Proverbs encapsulates the idea that lust can act as a snare, leading one into folly and away from adherence to God’s wisdom. Thus, the KJV presents lust as a multifaceted challenge that transcends mere physical attraction; it ultimately touches on the believer’s responsibility to cultivate a heart aligned with God’s righteousness, urging a proactive approach not only in thought but in every aspect of living as a faithful follower of Christ.
The Desire for What is Forbidden
In the context of the KJV Bible, lust often signifies a strong desire for something that is considered sinful or forbidden. This can encompass not only sexual desires but also a yearning for material possessions, power, or status that leads one away from God’s commandments. Such desires can create a rift between individuals and their spiritual well-being, emphasizing the need for self-control and adherence to divine principles.
The Corruption of the Heart
Lust is frequently depicted as a manifestation of a corrupted heart or mind. In biblical teachings, the heart is seen as the seat of emotions and intentions. When lust takes root, it can distort one’s values and priorities, leading to actions that are contrary to God’s will. This highlights the importance of inner purity and the need for spiritual renewal to combat the negative influences of lustful thoughts and desires.
The Consequences of Unchecked Desires
The KJV Bible illustrates that unchecked lust can lead to a series of destructive consequences, both spiritually and relationally. It can result in actions that harm oneself and others, leading to broken relationships, guilt, and spiritual separation from God. This serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of managing one’s desires and seeking fulfillment in ways that align with biblical teachings and promote a healthy, righteous life.
How to Cultivate Righteous Desires in Christian Life
Cultivating righteous desires in our Christian lives is a journey that requires intentionality and prayerful reflection. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture, allowing God’s Word to shape your heart and mind; verses like Psalm 37:4 remind us that when we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts. Surround yourself with a community of believers who inspire and challenge you to pursue holiness, as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Additionally, take time for self-examination—ask God to reveal any desires that may not align with His will and seek His guidance in transforming them. Remember, it’s not about striving for perfection but about nurturing a heart that longs for what pleases Him. As you grow in your relationship with Christ, your desires will naturally begin to reflect His love and righteousness, leading you to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.
Bible References to the Meaning of Lust:
1 John 2:15-17: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
James 1:13-15: 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Galatians 5:16-24: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Romans 13:12-14: 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20: 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8: 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
2 Timothy 2:22-23: 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
1 Peter 2:11-12: 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Ephesians 4:17-24: 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.
19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that is not the way you learned Christ! – Ephesians 4:20 (ESV)
21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Colossians 3:5-10: 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Proverbs 6:23-29: 23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
24 to preserve you from the evil woman,
from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 For the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
Job 31:1-4: 1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
2 What would be the portion of God from above
and the heritage of the Almighty from on high?
3 Is not calamity for the unrighteous, and disaster for the workers of iniquity?
4 Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?
2 Peter 1:3-4: 3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
Titus 2:11-14: 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.