Scripture Library · Lust and temptation · KJV

Bible Verses About Lust and Temptation (KJV) + A Prayer for Purity

Temptation is not new, and you are not alone in it. “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” These 15 passages from the King James Bible give you a way of escape, a reason to flee, and a Savior who was tempted in every way yet without sin.

15 Bible verses about lust and temptation

How do I fight desires that keep pulling me back?

1 Corinthians 10:13KJV

13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

No temptation is unique to you; God is faithful and provides a way of escape.Read in context →

Matthew 5:27-30KJV

27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Jesus locates adultery in the heart and calls for decisive action against sin.Read in context →

Job 31:1KJV

1I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look with lust.Read in context →

Genesis 39:6-12KJV

6And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. 7And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

Joseph refuses Potiphar's wife and runs.Read in context →

2 Timothy 2:22KJV

22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness with those who call on the Lord.Read in context →

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8KJV

3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

God's will is your sanctification: abstain from sexual immorality.Read in context →

1 Corinthians 6:18-20KJV

18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Flee sexual immorality; your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.Read in context →

James 1:13-15KJV

13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Temptation comes from our own desire, which grows into sin and death.Read in context →

Galatians 5:16-17KJV

16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfil the desires of the flesh.Read in context →

Romans 13:13-14KJV

13Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.Read in context →

Psalm 119:9-11KJV

9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

A young person keeps his way pure by guarding it with God's word hidden in the heart.Read in context →

Hebrews 4:15-16KJV

15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus was tempted in every way without sin; come boldly for help.Read in context →

Matthew 26:41KJV

41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Watch and pray so that you do not enter temptation; the flesh is weak.Read in context →

Proverbs 6:23-29KJV

23For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 24To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. 25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. 26For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 27Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

Can a man carry fire in his lap and not be burned?Read in context →

1 John 1:9KJV

9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse.Read in context →

A prayer for purity

Pray it slowly, in your own words if you like.

Lord Jesus, You were tempted in every way I am, yet without sin, so I can come boldly to You for mercy and grace in my time of need. I need it now.

Create in me a clean heart. Show me the way of escape You have promised, and give me the strength to take it quickly. Help me to flee, not to linger.

Thank You that if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me. Let Your Word be hidden in my heart so that I might not sin against You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What the Bible says about temptation

What does the Bible say about lust?

Jesus taught that lust begins in the heart, not only in actions (Matthew 5:27-28). Paul calls believers to flee sexual immorality because the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Scripture is serious about lust because God cares about the whole person.

Is being tempted a sin?

No. Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” James 1:14-15 explains that sin is conceived when desire is entertained and acted on. Temptation is the moment to turn to God.

How do I resist temptation, according to the Bible?

Scripture gives practical steps: flee rather than flirt with it (2 Timothy 2:22; Genesis 39:12), make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14), walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), watch and pray (Matthew 26:41), and store God’s Word in your heart (Psalm 119:11).

What if I keep falling into the same sin?

Do not hide. 1 John 1:9 promises forgiveness and cleansing when we confess. Bring the struggle into the light with a trusted, mature believer, and keep returning to Jesus. His grace is not exhausted by your repeated need for it.

More Bible verses by topic

Looking for Scripture on something else? The Scripture Library gathers 255 passages around the struggles and questions people actually bring to God.

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain).