Perversion is a topic that the Bible addresses quite seriously. Scripture calls believers to live pure lives and warns against twisting what God has intended for good. Let’s explore what the Bible says about perversion and how we can guard against it in our thoughts and actions.
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What Does The Bible Say About Perversion
Leviticus 18:22
“Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
This verse clearly states that engaging in homosexual acts is considered detestable in the eyes of God. It serves as a reminder to uphold the biblical teachings on sexual morality and to avoid any form of perversion.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
This passage highlights that those who practice sexual immorality, including those who engage in same-sex relationships, will not inherit the kingdom of God. It emphasizes the importance of living a righteous and holy life, free from all forms of perversion.
Romans 1:26-27
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
This passage describes the consequences of indulging in unnatural and perverse sexual desires. It highlights how such actions are a result of God giving individuals over to their own sinful and shameful lusts. It serves as a warning against falling into the traps of perversion and deviating from God’s intended design for sexual relationships.
Genesis 19:4-7
“But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly.”
This passage illustrates the perversion and wickedness found in the city of Sodom, where the men desired to engage in same-sex relations with the angels who visited Lot. It serves as a warning against the consequences of indulging in sinful and perverse desires, highlighting the importance of righteousness.
1 Timothy 1:9-10
“We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.”
This verse includes homosexuality among the list of sinful behaviors that the law is specifically made for. It highlights the importance of upholding sound doctrine and avoiding any form of perversion that goes against God’s teachings.
Jude 1:7
“In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”
This verse references the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their indulgence in sexual immorality and perversion. It serves as a stern warning that those who partake in such behaviors will face the punishment of eternal fire, emphasizing the severity of engaging in acts of perversion.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
This passage addresses various forms of sinful behavior, including sexual immorality and debauchery. It warns that engaging in such acts, which can include perversion, will prevent individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God. It emphasizes the need to live a life that is aligned with God’s teachings.
Colossians 3:5-6
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
This verse urges believers to put to death their sinful desires, which include sexual immorality, impurity, and lust. It highlights that engaging in such behaviors is akin to idolatry and warns of the coming wrath of God. It encourages a repentant and holy lifestyle, free from any form of perversion.
Ephesians 5:3
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
This verse emphasizes the need for believers to abstain from any form of sexual immorality or impurity, including perversion. It encourages living a holy life, free from any acts that are improper for those who are called to be God’s holy people.
2 Peter 2:10-12
“This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord.”
This passage describes those who follow corrupt desires, showing contempt for authority and abusing celestial beings. It serves as a warning against engaging in acts of perversion and encourages humility, highlighting that even angels exercise caution and reverence when dealing with judgment from the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”
This verse emphasizes God’s will for believers to live a sanctified life, free from sexual immorality including any form of perversion. It encourages self-control and a pursuit of holiness and honor in one’s conduct, distinguishing the followers of God from those who do not know Him.
Proverbs 6:32-33
“But a person who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys themselves. Blows and disgrace are their lot, and their shame will never be wiped away.”
This verse highlights the consequences of engaging in sexual sin, including acts of perversion. It emphasizes that those who commit adultery lack wisdom and bring disgrace upon themselves. It warns of the lasting shame and destruction that accompany such actions.
Ephesians 4:19
“Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.”
This verse depicts the progression of those who have become ensnared in their sinful desires, leading them to engage in various forms of impurity and greed. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of allowing perversion to take hold and encourages believers to guard their hearts and minds against falling into such patterns of behavior.
Deuteronomy 27:21
“Cursed is anyone who has sexual relations with an animal.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”
This verse condemns the act of bestiality as abominable and detestable in the sight of God. It serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the boundaries that God has established for sexual relationships and avoiding any form of perverse behavior.
Matthew 5:28
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
This verse highlights the importance of purity of heart and mind, warning against entertaining lustful thoughts and desires. It encourages believers to guard their thoughts and intentions, avoiding any form of perversion that may stem from immoral desires.
1 Corinthians 10:8
“We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.”
This verse refers to the incident in the Old Testament where the Israelites engaged in sexual immorality, resulting in severe consequences. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of participating in acts of perversion and the potential ramifications of such behavior.
Romans 13:13
“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”
This verse urges believers to live in a manner that is honorable and decent, avoiding forms of perversion such as sexual immorality and debauchery. It emphasizes the importance of unity, peace, and righteousness in our conduct as followers of Christ.
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of marital faithfulness and the sanctity of sexual relations within the confines of marriage. It provides a clear guideline for avoiding sexual immorality and encourages believers to find fulfillment and satisfaction within the bounds of a monogamous and committed marital relationship.
Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse highlights the high value placed on marriage and the need to keep the marriage bed pure and undefiled. It warns of God’s judgment upon those who engage in adultery and any form of sexual immorality, reinforcing the importance of upholding God’s standards in our relationships.
Matthew 19:4-5
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?”
This verse refers to Jesus’ teaching on marriage, affirming the sacredness of the union between a man and a woman. It reinforces the biblical perspective on sexual relationships and serves as a reminder to embrace God’s design for intimacy rather than veering into any form of perversion.
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.”
This verse urges believers to actively avoid sexual immorality, emphasizing the significance of fleeing from any form of perversion. It highlights the unique consequences of sexual sins, which extend beyond external actions and impact one’s own body and well-being.
Mark 7:21-23
“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
This passage emphasizes that perversion, along with other sinful behaviors, stems from the heart and mind. It serves as a reminder of the importance of guarding our thoughts and intentions, seeking purity and righteousness in every aspect of our lives.
1 Peter 4:3
“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.”
This verse highlights the transformation that believers undergo when they turn away from their former lives of sinful indulgence, which can include acts of perversion. It admonishes us to leave behind our old ways and instead live according to God’s standards of righteousness and holiness.
2 Timothy 2:22
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
This verse urges believers, especially the younger generation, to reject and run away from any form of sinful passions, including perversion. It encourages the pursuit of righteousness, faith, love, and peace alongside fellow believers who are committed to living with pure hearts.