Lust

Lust in Scripture denotes a strong, disordered desire—particularly of a sexual nature but also of appetite, covetousness, and pride—that draws a person away from God and toward sin. The Greek epithumia (translated lust or desire) in its negative sense describes the inward orientation of the fallen nature: the sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to falling away from God (Rom. 1:24; Gal. 5:16, 24; 1 John 2:16–17). James traces the genesis of sin through a distinct sequence: each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (Jas. 1:14–15).

The tenth commandment's prohibition of coveting (Ex. 20:17) targets lust at the level of desire before any outward act, and Jesus intensifies this in the Sermon on the Mount by equating lustful looking with adultery of the heart (Matt. 5:28). Paul's remedy for lust is the mortification of the flesh through the Spirit (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5), the renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2), and the practical disciplines of fleeing youthful passions and pursuing righteousness (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Cor. 6:18).