What Does the Bible Say About Naughty Thoughts?

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 36 helpful votes

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.

Matthew 5:28 ESV / 35 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.

Colossians 3:2 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

James 1:14-15 ESV / 23 helpful votes

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.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 22 helpful votes

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Romans 12:2 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV / 20 helpful votes

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Matthew 15:19 ESV / 14 helpful votes

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Ephesians 4:22 ESV / 10 helpful votes

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

Mark 7:20-23 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Titus 1:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 8 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.

Galatians 5:16-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Matthew 18:9 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

Matthew 15:19-20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

Psalm 139:23-24 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Ephesians 4:23-24 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Romans 12:2-3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

John 3:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 5:27-28 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

James 4:7-8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Mark 7:21-23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 2:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

1 Peter 1:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

James 1:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Galatians 5:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Romans 8:5-6 ESV / 4 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. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 7:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

Matthew 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Psalm 119:37 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

Psalm 119:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 101:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

38 Bible Verses about Naughty Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 36 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:28 ESV / 35 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:2 ESV / 32 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:14-15 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 22 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:19 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 19:14 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:22 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 7:20-23 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 1:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:16-17 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:9 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:19-20 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 139:23-24 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:23-24 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2-3 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:27-28 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:7-8 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 7:21-23 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:5-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 7:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:37 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 101:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)