LUST - One of Seven Cardinal Sins

Sexual desire is a natural part of human existence. That desire began with Prophet Adam and Eve (peace be upon them) when God created human beings in pairs. Sexual desire has remained a natural part of humanity ever since.

Having sexual desire or experiencing attraction is not a sin. The sin manifests when a person deliberately cultivates unlawful lust or takes actions that lead toward fulfilling prohibited sexual desires. Monotheistic religions teach believers to control and appropriately direct their desires, with sexual intimacy taking place within lawful marital relationships.

The Torah, the Bible, and the Quran each establish boundaries intended to protect chastity, marriage, family, and faithfulness to God.

One of the first Ten Commandments given to Prophet Moses (Musa) (peace be upon him) states:

“You shall not commit adultery.” - Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18

The Commandment was written in stone.

One of the strongest teachings concerning lust comes directly from the Messiah Jesus Christ (Isa) (peace be upon him):

“Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” - Matthew 5:28

Allah Commands in the Quran:

“Do not go near zina. It is truly a shameful deed and an evil way.” - Quran 17:32

Zina is the Arabic term for unlawful sexual intercourse.

The Sin of Lust

All human beings have desires, but there is an important distinction between attraction and lust. Recognizing that another person is attractive is not necessarily the same as deliberately fantasizing about that person or cultivating sexual desire toward someone with whom sexual relations would be unlawful.

The Holy Books warn against desire developing into lust, impurity, covetousness, or something that controls a person’s thoughts and actions.

The Bible records Messiah Jesus Christ (Isa) (peace be upon him) as saying:

“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.” - Matthew 5:29; Matthew 18:9.

The Quran similarly does not merely say, “Do not commit zina.” It says do not approach it. The principle is to avoid actions and situations that progressively lead toward sexual wrongdoing.

King James Version of the Bible describes a similar progression: a person is tempted when drawn away by his or her own desire, and desire, when embraced and allowed to develop, can give birth to sin.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” - James 1:14-15.

Desire can lead to temptation, but temptation still leaves a person with a choice about how to respond.  

Free will is God’s greatest gift to humanity. People will be responsible for the choices they make in this life.

Seeking Purity

The Torah, the Bible, and the Quran establish boundaries concerning nakedness, clothing, gaze, chastity, and sexual conduct. Modesty is presented not simply as covering the body, but as an exercise in dignity, self-control, and obedience to God.

The Quran provides direct instructions concerning gaze, clothing, chastity, and public modesty.

Allah first commands men to:

“Lower their gaze and guard their chastity.” - Quran 24:30

In the following verse, Allah similarly commands women to lower their gaze, guard their chastity, and observe modesty in displaying their adornment.

Men and women are therefore both responsible for their own conduct: what they expose, what they intentionally seek to see, how they respond to attraction, and whether natural desire is directed toward lawful intimacy or allowed to develop into lust and sexual wrongdoing.

Humanity After COVID

Temptation is everywhere, especially since COVID-19. Material that once required a person to deliberately seek it out can now appear instantly on a smartphone. Temptation is literally in the palm of our hands.

Sexualized imagery and nudity are common throughout entertainment, advertising, social media, and online content. The familiar expression “sex sells” reflects the extent to which sexuality is used to attract attention and market products.

Pornography is no longer confined to magazines, adult theaters, or specialty stores. Smartphones have made sexually explicit material accessible virtually anywhere and at almost any time. Online platforms have also made it easier for individuals to monetize sexually explicit or suggestive content right from their homes. What used to require studios for cameras, microphones and people to record videos can be done using our home devices.

Pornography has consequently become a major category of digital entertainment in the United States. In July 2026 alone, four of the largest adult websites - Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX, and xHamster - received an estimated 2.1 billion U.S. visits combined. OnlyFans, a creator platform widely associated with adult content, has reported hundreds of millions of fan accounts globally and billions of dollars in annual user spending.

In 2025, OnlyFans Content Creators generated approximately $7.2 billion in content revenue, of which $1.4 Billion went to OnlyFans as revenues. United States represents more than 60% of the platform’s users.

The New Testament frequently uses the Greek term porneia, commonly translated as “sexual immorality.” Although the Scriptures obviously do not mention smartphones, pornography websites, or social media, their underlying principles concerning lust, chastity, gaze, and sexual self-control remain valid.

Fornication

The Torah places sexual relationships within a framework of marriage, family, faithfulness, and sexual boundaries. It explicitly prohibits adultery and numerous prohibited sexual relationships.

Leviticus reinforces this:

“You shall not lie sexually with your neighbor’s wife and so make yourself unclean with her.” - Leviticus 18:20

Christian teaching likewise places sexual intercourse within marriage and rejects adultery and sexual immorality outside that covenant.

Paul (the Apostle) (peace be upon him) wrote:

“Flee from sexual immorality.”- 1 Corinthians 6:18

He also taught:

“This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Hebrews states:

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.” - Hebrews 13:4

The Quran directly addresses unlawful sexual intercourse (zina) and commands believers to refrain from behaviors that could lead to it. The Quran also instructs both men and women to guard their chastity and establishes principles of modest dress and behavior.

One God – Same Message:

·       The Torah commands people not to covet another person’s spouse and prohibits adultery.

·       The Gospel records Messiah Jesus Christ (Isa) (peace be upon him) taking the command inward by warning against deliberately cultivating lust within the heart.

·       The Quran commands believers against committing zina and instructs both men and women to control what they look at and live with modesty.

Resisting Lust

The three religions do not demand the elimination of human sexuality. Instead, they establish boundaries around it through modesty, controlling the gaze, avoiding temptation, prayer, fasting, chastity, and marriage as the legitimate setting for sexual intimacy.

In today’s world, applying these principles can include avoiding pornography, sexually provocative material, social-media content that continually feeds lust, or situations that a person knows repeatedly trigger sexual temptation or other negative habits.

Prophet Joseph (Yousef) (peace be upon him) provides one of the clearest examples of resisting sexual temptation.

When Potiphar’s wife attempts to seduce him, Prophet Joseph (Yousef) (p.b.u.h.) refuses her advances because doing so would be a sin against God. When the temptation becomes more direct, he removes himself from the situation.

All three religions recognize marriage as the proper framework for sexual intimacy.

Marriage does not exist merely to satisfy sexual desire. It establishes commitment, companionship, family relationships, financial responsibilities, sexual obligations, faithfulness, and responsibilities toward another human being.

Marriage also does not eliminate the need for self-control. A married person may still experience attraction toward others. The religious obligation remains to control those desires and remain within the boundaries established by God.

Importance of Marriage in Judaism

Marriage in Judaism provides a recognized framework for sexual relations, companionship, children, family obligations, inheritance, and fidelity.

The Torah contains several examples of plural marriages.

Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) (peace be upon him) was married to Sarah (peace be upon her) and also had a union with Hagar (peace be upon her), giving him two sons with different wives.

Prophet Jacob (Israel) (peace be upon him) married Leah and Rachel and also fathered children through Bilhah and Zilpah (Genesis 29–30).

Later Torah law regulates plural marriage rather than categorically prohibiting it.

Exodus 21:10 states that if a man takes another wife, he must not deprive the first of her food, clothing, or marital rights.

Deuteronomy 21:15–17 similarly discusses a man who has two wives and protects inheritance rights from favoritism.

Importance of Marriage in Christianity

The New Testament moves much more clearly toward monogamous marriage as the Christian norm.

Messiah Jesus Christ (Isa) (peace be upon him) is recorded in the Genesis:

“The two shall become one flesh.” - Matthew 19:5

He continues:

“So they are no longer two but one flesh.” - Matthew 19:6

Paul (the Apostle) (peace be upon him) explicitly connects marriage with sexual desire:

“Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” - 1 Corinthians 7:2

Paul (the Apostle) (peace be upon him) also addresses sexual intimacy within marriage and warns spouses not to deprive one another unnecessarily, except temporarily by mutual agreement for prayer:

“…so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” - 1 Corinthians 7:5

For those who struggle with remaining unmarried, Paul (the Apostle) (peace be upon him) states:

“If they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” - 1 Corinthians 7:9

Christianity therefore does not demand lifelong sexual suppression from everyone. Celibacy may be appropriate for some, while marriage provides a legitimate expression of sexuality for others.

Importance of Marriage in Islam

Islam places strong emphasis on marriage and marital responsibilities. Marriage is described beautifully in the Quran, which states Allah created spouses so that people may find tranquility in one another and placed affection and mercy between them.

“And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you compassion and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.” – Quran 30:21

Marriage under Islamic teachings is therefore not presented merely as a sexual outlet. It establishes a recognized relationship involving companionship, rights, responsibilities, financial support, family structure, and lawful intimacy.

The Quran permits a man to marry up to four wives under specific conditions, while requiring justice toward them. The Quran also warns against treating wives unjustly or favoring one to the point that another is neglected.

Sexual relations outside marriage (zina) are prohibited. Marriage provides an established structure for lineage, family responsibilities, financial obligations, inheritance, and the rights of spouses and children.

Islam also encourages marriage as a protection for chastity. Quran 24:32 encourages marriage among unmarried people, while the following verse addresses those who cannot presently marry:

“…let them remain chaste until Allah enriches them out of His bounty.” - Quran 24:33

The believer therefore still has a responsibility to control desire when marriage is not presently possible.

Requirements of Marriage (Betrothal) in Judaism

Biblically, betrothal (erusin) was considerably more binding than today’s concept of engagement. A betrothed couple was legally committed even though they had not yet begun ordinary married life together.

Traditional Jewish marriage eventually developed two stages:

Kiddushin/Erusin: Kiddushin establishes the marital bond, traditionally through the groom giving the bride something of value—commonly a ring—in the presence of valid witnesses.

Nissuin: Nissuin completes the marriage and is symbolized today by the chuppah.

The ketubah specifies the husband’s obligations and provides financial protection for the wife.

Requirements of Marriage in Christianity

Christianity does not establish one universal wedding procedure in the New Testament.

The fundamental concept is the covenantal union described by Messiah Jesus (Isa) (peace be upon him):

“The two shall become one flesh.” - Matthew 19:5

Over time, different Christian traditions developed different requirements and ceremonies.

In Catholicism, marriage between baptized Christians is regarded as a sacrament. The couple give their consent to one another, normally before an authorized priest or deacon and witnesses.

Orthodox Christianity ordinarily requires the Church’s sacramental blessing through a priest.

Protestant traditions vary, but generally emphasize mutual consent, marital vows, witnesses, and recognition of the marriage before God and the community.

Requirements of Marriage (Nikah) in Islam

A Nikah, or marriage under Islamic law establishes a lawful marital relationship through a marriage contract. Islam requires the following to be met for a marriage to be lawful.

Mutual Consent (Ijab and Qabul): Both the bride and groom must willingly agree to the marriage without coercion. The couple establishes the marriage through an offer and acceptance.   

Guardian (Wali): A Wali is ordinarily the bride’s father or another qualified male guardian, as part of the marriage process to help protect the rights of the bride.

Bridal Gift (Mahr): The groom is required to provide the bride with a mahr—a financial gift, property, or other agreed-upon consideration. The mahr belongs to the bride herself.

Witnesses: Two witnesses are required for the nikah and must sign the official document. An imam may conduct or oversee the ceremony, but is not mandatory.

Public Recognition: Islam strongly encourages marriage to be publicly recognized rather than treated as a concealed sexual relationship.

Financial and Marital Responsibility: Marriage establishes responsibilities between husband and wife. These include financial support, marital rights, family responsibilities, and the obligation to treat one’s spouse with fairness and dignity.

In a plural marriage, the Quran requires the husband to deal justly with his wives. A man cannot use plural marriage simply as an excuse for unrestricted sexual behavior; marriage brings additional responsibilities with every sexual relationship.

Freedom to Choose

Natural sexual desire is part of being human. The Torah, Bible, and Quran do not portray sexuality itself as inherently evil. The question is what we choose to do with our desires.

We have the choice to resist temptation, redirect our thoughts, establish boundaries, remove ourselves from situations that encourage wrongdoing, control what we intentionally look at, remain chaste when necessary, and fulfill sexual desire within a lawful marriage.

Marriage itself does not eliminate temptation. These practices help believers exercise self-control.

The Torah commands people not to covet and prohibits adultery.

The Gospel warns against allowing desire to become deliberate lust within the heart.

The Quran commands believers to lower their gaze, guard their chastity, and not even approach unlawful sexual relations.

The common principle is not that human beings must cease experiencing desire. It is that desire should not become our master.

The three monotheistic religions teach believers to govern their desires rather than allowing their desires to govern them, and to direct one of humanity’s most powerful natural instincts toward love, commitment, responsibility, family, and faithfulness to God.

Worshipping God is the best way to resist temptation and guard against lust.

May God forgive our transgressions and guide us to the right path.