Attraction is a fundamental aspect of human relationships and communal living. At the core of human bonding and social interaction, attraction guides how we choose our friends, mates, and companions. The Bible provides profound comparisons and narratives that highlight different facets of attraction, focusing primarily on values, character, and qualities as the main determinants. Its teachings also propose that attraction should be based on more than physical beauty and rather extend to ones’ inherent virtues and kindness to others.
Who Influences Our Understanding of Attraction?
Multiple characters in the Bible have left a lasting impact on our understanding of attraction. The Bible shares stories of individuals such as Ruth, Boaz, and Esther, whose attributes of loyalty, integrity, and bravery fostered profound attraction. Other notable biblical figures such as Jacob, Rachel, and Joseph had qualities that others found attractive, even in challenging circumstances. These characters give valuable insights into how internal attributes play a crucial role in cultivating attraction. By focusing on these individuals, the Bible advocates for a deeper, more substantial form of attraction that goes beyond simple physical allure.
What Defines Attraction According to the Bible?
The Bible defines attraction more than mere physical allure or superficial appearances. It strongly emphasizes that attraction should be rooted in personal virtues, character, and kindness. Biblical teachings imply that the values a person embodies are the real testament to their attractiveness. Hence, traits such as honesty, humility, patience, and love are hailed as the cornerstones of authentic attraction. These virtues serve as the foundation for enduring relationships and wholesome attractions that withstand the tests of time.
Where Does the Bible Talk About Attraction?
Verses and narratives about attraction are interspersed throughout the Bible, from Genesis to the Epistles. While these references may not explicitly use the term “attraction,” they offer plenty of wisdom about what makes a person attractive. For instance, the story of Ruth and Boaz in the Book of Ruth delves into the theme of attraction. And in the New Testament, Paul writes about the attractiveness of a godly character. These narratives and expositions guide every reader to understand attraction from a spiritual perspective.
Why the Emphasis on Character Over Surface Attractions?
The Bible emphasizes character over surface attractions because of a fundamental belief in the worth of the individual, which lies not in outward beauty but in inner virtue. The Bible teaches that physical beauty fades, but qualities like kindness, peace, patience, and love endure. The emphasis on character serves to guide us towards lasting, meaningful relationships. It is a reminder that true attraction stems not from transitory physical qualities, but from the continuous development of one’s character and love for others—a love that emulates the unconditional love of God.
When Does the Bible Advise Making Attraction Decisions?
While the Bible does not provide explicit guidance on timing, it does advise discretion and wisdom in forming attractions and relationships. It encourages believers to be patient and prayerful, waiting for God’s guidance. As with all decisions, the Bible advises not to be hasty or led by superficial factors when it comes to attraction. It urges individuals to seek the wisdom and counsel of others and to prudently consider a potential mate’s character and compatibility before deciding to embark on a relationship.
Below is our full list of bible verses on attraction (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Attraction
Proverbs 6:24-28
“24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?”
1 Peter 3:3-7
“3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”
Related Themes: Gold Humility Self-Esteem Jewelry Beauty
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
“3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:”
1 Corinthians 6:18
“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
Hebrews 13:4
“4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
John 7:24
“24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
Related Themes: Judging Others Discernment Criticism Resolving Conflict Modesty
1 John 2:15-17
“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Related Themes: Lust Pride Money Social Justice
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“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,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
John 10:10
“10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Romans 1:26-27
“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: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.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Morality Morals Impurity
John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
2 Peter 3:9
“9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Related Themes: Repentance Patience Attitude Suffering Quitting
Proverbs 4:23
“23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Related Themes: Dating Lust Creativity Heart Life
Leviticus 18:22
“22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”
Related Themes: Impurity Lust Abomination Relationships Adultery
Matthew 19:12
“12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.”
Matthew 4:1-10
“1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Related Themes: Lust Temptation Lent Fasting
Genesis 2:24
“24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Related Themes: Marriage Dating Respecting Your Parents Fidelity Family
