Temptation
Enticement to sin and God's provision for victory
Overview
Temptation is universal—every believer faces it. Yet temptation is not sin; yielding to temptation is. Jesus Himself "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). Understanding temptation's nature and God's provision enables Christians to resist and overcome rather than fall and despair.
Temptation's sources are threefold: the world (external pressures from a godless culture), the flesh (internal desires from our fallen nature), and the devil (spiritual attacks from Satan and demons). "Each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:14). Temptation exploits legitimate desires, twisting them toward illegitimate fulfillments.
God's provision against temptation is comprehensive. He promises that no temptation is irresistible: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Christ's sympathy ensures understanding intercession (Hebrews 4:15-16). Scripture provides the sword to resist lies (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Prayer keeps us from entering temptation (Matthew 26:41).
Practical wisdom includes fleeing certain temptations (2 Timothy 2:22), avoiding exposure to known triggers, cultivating godly friendships, maintaining spiritual disciplines, and confessing struggles to trusted believers. Repeated failure does not mean permanent defeat—God's grace extends to restore the fallen and strengthen against future attacks.
Subtopics
Nature of Temptation
Understanding how temptation works
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James 1:14-15
— Drawn away by his own lust
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
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1 John 2:16
— Lust of the flesh, eyes, pride
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.
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Genesis 3:6
— Good for food, pleasant, desired
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
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Matthew 4:1-11
— Jesus tempted by the devil
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Way of Escape
God's provision for victory
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1 Corinthians 10:13
— Will make a way to escape
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
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James 4:7
— Resist the devil
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
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Hebrews 4:15-16
— Grace to help in time of need
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
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Matthew 26:41
— Watch and pray
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Fleeing Temptation
Practical wisdom
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2 Timothy 2:22
— Flee also youthful lusts
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
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1 Corinthians 6:18
— Flee fornication
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
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Genesis 39:12
— Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
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Proverbs 4:14-15
— Enter not the path of the wicked
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
Study Guidance
Topical study benefits from reading verses in their broader context. Click any reference above to view the complete passage and surrounding verses. Consider comparing how different biblical authors address the same theme across various contexts and time periods.
Cross-reference study deepens understanding. Many verses listed here connect to other passages—use the cross-references provided on individual verse pages to trace theological themes throughout Scripture.