What the Bible Says About Perversion
In Scripture, perversion describes the twisting of something good that God created into a corrupted form that defies His design. The biblical concern is not merely a list of forbidden acts but a deeper distortion of God's order for human life, sexuality, justice, and truth. Because God is the Creator of all things and called them good, perversion is essentially the bending of that goodness away from its intended purpose. The Bible treats this seriously while always holding out the hope of redemption for those who turn to God. Much of the biblical language about perversion addresses sexuality, where God's good gift is most often distorted. Leviticus 18:22 prohibits same-sex relations as contrary to the created order, and Paul echoes this in Romans 1:26-27, describing how people exchanged the natural for that which is against nature when they suppressed the knowledge of God. Paul is not singling out one sin alone; in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 he lists many forms of unrighteousness, including fornication, idolatry, adultery, theft, greed, and drunkenness, warning that those who persist unrepentantly in such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Crucially, the very next verse reminds the Corinthians, "such were some of you: but ye are washed," underscoring that no sin is beyond the cleansing grace of Christ. Perversion also has a moral and intellectual dimension. Proverbs 2:14 warns of those who "rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked," describing a heart that takes pleasure in what is twisted. Isaiah 5:20 pronounces woe on those who "call evil good, and good evil," who deliberately invert God's moral order. This is perhaps the deepest form of perversion: not merely doing wrong, but renaming it as right. The Bible's response to perversion is neither harsh condemnation nor casual permissiveness, but a call to repentance and restoration. God's standards reveal His holiness, but His grace offers genuine transformation. The same passages that name sin clearly also proclaim that men and women can be washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God.
Key verse snapshot
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”
Bible Verses about Perversion
7 Scripture passages on this theme
Leviticus 18:22
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”
Romans 1:26
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:”
Romans 1:27
“And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
1 Corinthians 6:9
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,”
1 Corinthians 6:10
“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Proverbs 2:14
“Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;”
Isaiah 5:20
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
Frequently Asked Questions
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Apply These Verses to Your Life
Scripture comes alive when we meditate on it and apply it daily. Read these verses in full context, pray for understanding, and ask God how they speak to your situation with perversion.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido
- Last updated:
- Category:
- Scripture Guidance