What Does the Bible Say About Evil Desires?

Colossians 3:5 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

James 1:13-15 ESV / 18 helpful votes

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. 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.

Galatians 5:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

James 4:1 ESV / 14 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 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.

Romans 6:12 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

Romans 3:23 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 8:5 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Mark 8:34 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV / 7 helpful votes

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Ephesians 2:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

1 Corinthians 10:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

John 14:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 12:26 ESV / 7 helpful votes

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

2 Peter 2:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

Galatians 5:24 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Matthew 25:41 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Genesis 50:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Romans 5:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

1 Peter 1:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

James 1:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

Galatians 5:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 7:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

1 Timothy 6:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Ephesians 6:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Galatians 5:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

Romans 13:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Mark 12:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Mark 1:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Matthew 9:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

Matthew 5:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Genesis 4:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Isaiah 43:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

44 Bible Verses about Evil Desires

Colossians 3:5 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:13-15 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:1 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:12 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:23 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:5 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 8:34 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:6 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 12:26 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 2:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:24 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:41 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 50:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 7:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 6:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 12:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 1:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 9:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 4:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 43:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 43:2-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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