What does the Bible say about temptation?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that temptation is a real spiritual trial, but God is faithful to provide help, a way of endurance, and grace for those who trust and obey Him. Christians are called to watch and pray, resist the devil, and refuse to give sin an opportunity. James 1:12-16 distinguishes God’s testing from the sinful desires within us that entice and lead to death. Christ Himself faced temptation without sin, as Matthew 4:1-11 shows, and Hebrews 2:18 assures believers that He is able to help the tempted. Through God’s armor, His Word, prayer, and dependence on Christ, believers may stand firm, knowing that perseverance under trial is blessed.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
- Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that you don't enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
- James 4:7
Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- James 1:12-16
[12] Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him. [13] Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. [14] But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. [16] Don't be deceived, my beloved brothers.
- Hebrews 2:18
For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.
- Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
- Matthew 4:1-11
[1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. [3] The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." [4] But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" [5] Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, [6] and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge concerning you.' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, So that you don't dash your foot against a stone.'" [7] Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'" [8] Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. [9] He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me." [10] Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" [11] Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.
- Mark 14:38
Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
- Ephesians 4:27
neither give place to the devil.
- James 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- General scriptures concerning Genesis 3:1-13; Genesis 20:6; Exodus 34:12-16; Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 8:11-14; Deuteronomy 8:17; Deuteronomy 8:18; Deuteronomy 13:3; 1 Chronicles 21:1; 2 Chronicles 32:30; 2 Chronicles 32:31; Psalms 119:165
- See DEMONS
- See FAITH, TRIAL OF
- See SATAN
- A TEST Genesis 22:1-14; Deuteronomy 8:2; Deuteronomy 8:5; Deuteronomy 13:1-3; 2 Chronicles 32:31; Job 1:8-22; Job 2:3-10; Psalms 66:10-13; Daniel 12:10; Zechariah 13:9; Hebrews 11:17; James 1:2
- See AFFLICTION, DESIGN OF
- See FAITH, TRIAL OF
- LEADING INTO
- Prayer against being led into Matthew 6:13; Luke 22:40
- INSTANCES OF
- Abraham leads Pharaoh Genesis 12:18; Genesis 12:19
- Abimelech Genesis 20:9
- Balak tempts Balaam Numbers 22; Numbers 23; Numbers 24
- The old prophet of Beth-el, the prophet of Judah 1 Kings 13:15-19
- Gideon leads the people of Israel into sin Judges 8:27
- Jeroboam leads the northern kingdom (Israel) into 1 Kings 15:30
- See RESISTANCE TO
- See YIELDING TO, below
- RESISTANCE TO Genesis 39:7-10; Nehemiah 4:9; Job 31:1; Job 31:5-17; Job 31:19-34; Job 31:38-40; Psalms 17:4; Psalms 73:2-26; Psalms 94:17; Psalms 94:18; Psalms 119:101; Psalms 119:110
- YIELDING TO
- INSTANCES OF
- Adam and Eve Genesis 3:1-19
- Sarah, to lie Genesis 12:13; Genesis 18:13-15; Genesis 20:13
- Isaac, to lie Genesis 26:7
- Jacob, to defraud Esau Genesis 27:6-13
- Balaam Numbers 22:15-22; 2 Peter 2:15
- Achan Joshua 7:21
- David, to commit adultery 2 Samuel 11:2-5
- To count the nation of Israel 1 Chronicles 21
- Solomon, to become an idolater through the influences of his wives 1 Kings 11:4; Nehemiah 13:26
- The prophet of Judah 1 Kings 13:11-19
- Hezekiah 2 Kings 20:12-20; Isaiah 39:1-4; Isaiah 39:6; Isaiah 39:7
- Peter Matthew 26:69-74; Mark 14:67-71; Luke 22:55-60
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- God cannot be the subject of James 1:13
- Does not come from God James 1:13
- Comes from
- Lusts James 1:14
- Covetousness Proverbs 28:20; 1 Timothy 6:9; 1 Timothy 6:10
- The devil is the author of 1 Chronicles 21:1; Matthew 4:1; John 13:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:5
- Evil associates, the instruments of Proverbs 1:10; Proverbs 7:6; Proverbs 16:29
- Often arises through
- Poverty Proverbs 30:9; Matthew 4:2; Matthew 4:3
- Prosperity Proverbs 30:9; Matthew 4:8
- Worldly glory Numbers 22:17; Daniel 4:30; Daniel 5:2; Matthew 4:8
- To distrust of God’s providence Matthew 4:3
- To presumption Matthew 4:6
- To worshipping the god of this world Matthew 4:9
- Often strengthened by the perversion of God’s word Matthew 4:6
- Permitted as a trial of
- Faith 1 Peter 1:7; James 1:2; James 1:3
- Disinterestedness Job 1:9-12
- Always conformable to the nature of man 1 Corinthians 10:13
- Often ends in sin and perdition 1 Timothy 6:9; James 1:15
- Christ
- Endured, from the devil Mark 1:13
- Endured, from the wicked Matthew 16:1; Matthew 22:18; Luke 10:25
- Resisted by the word of God Matthew 4:4; Matthew 4:7; Matthew 4:10
- Overcame Matthew 4:11
- Sympathises with those under Hebrews 4:15
- Is able to help those under Hebrews 2:18
- Intercedes for his people under Luke 22:31; Luke 22:32; John 17:15
- God will not suffer saints to be exposed to, beyond their powers to bear 1 Corinthians 10:13
- God will make a way for saints to escape out of 1 Corinthians 10:13
- God enables the saints to bear 1 Corinthians 10:13
- God knows how to deliver saints out of 2 Peter 2:9
- Christ keeps faithful saints from the hour of Revelation 3:10
- Saints may be in heaviness through 1 Peter 1:6
- Saints should
- Resist, in faith Ephesians 6:16; 1 Peter 5:9
- Watch against Matthew 26:41; 1 Peter 5:8
- Pray to be kept from Matthew 6:13; Matthew 26:41
- Not to occasion, to others Romans 14:13
- Restore those overcome by Galatians 6:1
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