There are various references to lust in the Bible, including lust of the eyes, a desire for monetary riches, or physical beauty. This form of passion is deemed wicked and has the potential to lead people away from their religion.
In this post, we’ll examine some Bible texts about eye lust, their significance, and how they can be applied to our lives today.
This article will provide vital insights into the necessity of resisting the temptations of lust, whether you are a Christian seeking advice or simply interested in knowing more about this topic.
Bible Verses About Lust Of the Eyes
1. 1 John 2:16
“For everything in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life comes not from the Father but from the world.”
2. Matthew 6:22-23
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
3. 1 John 2:15-16
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
4. Genesis 4:10-14
“And the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
5. Matthew 4:18-20
“As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” They left their nets immediately and followed him.”
6. Proverbs 7:25-26
“Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.”
7. Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
8. Romans 7:18
“For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”
The Dangers of Lust of the Eyes
9. 1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
10. James 1:14-15
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
11. Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
12. Romans 13:13-14
“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.”
13. 1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
14. Galatians 6:7-8
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
15. 1 John 2:16
“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.”
16. Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
Overcoming Lust of the Eyes with God’s Word
17. Psalm 119:2-3
“Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—they do no wrong but follow his ways.”
18. Psalm 119:9-11
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
19. Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
20. Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
21. Psalm 119:30
“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.”
22. John 8:31-32
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
23. Psalm 19:7-8
“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”
24. Psalm 18:30
“As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.”
How to Avoid Lust of the Eyes
25. Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
26. Job 31:1
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
27. Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
28. Romans 13:13
“Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.”
29. Matthew 5:29
“And 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.”
30.1 John 2:15-17
“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. 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. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
31. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Examples of Lust of the Eyes In the Bible
The Garden of Eden: In Genesis 3:6, Eve saw that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was “pleasing to the eye,” and she desired it, even though God had commanded her not to eat from it.
Achan’s Sin: In Joshua 7:21, Achan saw a beautiful Babylonian robe, some silver and gold, and he coveted them. He took them, even though they were devoted to God, and his sin brought trouble upon the Israelites.
David and Bathsheba: In 2 Samuel 11:2-4, King David saw Bathsheba bathing and lusted after her. He took her as his wife, even though she was already married to Uriah the Hittite.
The Temptation of Jesus: In Matthew 4:8-9, Satan tempted Jesus with all the world’s kingdoms, promising to give them to him if he would worship him. Jesus refused, knowing it was wrong to desire something just because it looked good.
The Rich Fool: In Luke 12:16-21, Jesus tells a parable about a rich man who had a great harvest and decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store all his goods. He said to himself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years.
Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” The rich man’s sin was not in wealth but in placing his trust in his possessions rather than in God.
What Does Lust of the Eyes Mean In the Bible
Lust of the eyes appears in 1 John 2:16, listed alongside “lust of the flesh” and “pride of life.” The passage reads, “For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.”
This passage is often interpreted to mean that things people desire, such as material possessions or physical pleasures, are temporary and ultimately unfulfilling.
The “lust of the eyes” is also found in the Old Testament. In Genesis 3:6, the serpent tempts Eve with the fruit of the forbidden tree, saying, “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.”
In this passage, Eve’s desire for the fruit is based on what she sees rather than what she knows to be right or wrong.
The “lust of the eyes” refers to a desire for wealth and material possessions. In the book of Proverbs, the writer warns against the dangers of pursuing riches and material goods, saying, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:17-18).
The Bible also warns against the dangers of idolizing physical beauty or external appearances. In 1 Samuel 16:7, God tells the prophet Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his physical stature, because I have refused him.
For the Lord does not see as man sees; man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” This passage suggests that actual value is found in one’s inner character rather than physical appearance.
The “lust of the eyes” refers to the desire for forbidden or sinful things. In Exodus 20:17, the tenth commandment prohibits coveting anything that belongs to one’s neighbor, including their house, spouse, or belongings.
This commandment acknowledges that the desire for something not rightfully one’s own can lead to sin and destruction.
The phrase “lust of the eyes” in the Bible refers to the sinful desire or craving that arises from what one sees.
It can manifest in various ways, including pursuing wealth and material possessions, idolizing physical beauty or external appearances, and desiring forbidden or sinful things. The Bible warns against the dangers of the “lust of the eyes” and instead encourages followers to focus on internal values and the pursuit of righteousness.
Conclusion
Finally, the Bible has various verses that warn against the perils of eye desire. The desire for financial riches, power, and worldly pleasures can lead us astray and into sin.
Instead, we are urged to concentrate on things that genuinely matter, such as loving God and serving others. We may reject worldly temptations and discover true fulfillment in Him by guarding our hearts and minds and seeking God’s counsel.
May we heed the wisdom of these verses and live our lives so that God is praised.
