What Is Lust?

Bible Reading: Genesis 3:6

Lust is an old-fashioned word that we don’t use much anymore. Lust is the desire to have anything that isn’t good for us, anything that God has forbidden, or anything

that is outside God’s plan for our lives.

The Bible is filled with people who lusted and the devastating consequences they and others suffered because they gave in to that lust, starting in Genesis 3:6 which says, “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” Eve lusted after the fruit.

Sadly, that was only the first mention of lust in the Bible. Achan lusted after the treasures taken in battle. David lusted after Bathsheba. Ahab lusted after Naboth’s vineyard. Judas lusted after the thirty pieces of silver. The list goes on.

Lust and its consequences are still issues in our life. Whether we are tempted to eat more food than is healthy for us, take something that we want that doesn’t belong to us, or indulge in sex outside of marriage, we are lusting after things that God says aren’t in our best interests – and that is sin.

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Romans 13:14

Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep my desires pure. Help me to want only what You want for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.