What Does The Bible Say About Temptation?

What does the Bible say about temptation? Is temptation worth learning about? Unfortunately, temptation is very common in the life of believers and non believers. Although we have been set free from the bondage of sin as believers, the enemy’s daily goal is to tempt us, make us fall, and turn us into slaves of sin once again. So, facing temptation on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis is not abnormal or inevitable. We’ll battle with temptation until the day we die. However, there is hope to successfully overcome temptation in Christ. In today’s post we’re going to talk about temptation and explore what the Bible says about temptation and overcoming it.

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WHAT IS TEMPTATION?

Temptation is nothing more than a strong desire to engage in a activity, habit, or situation that you know will impact, harm, and destroy you in the long run.

Are christians tempted daily? Yes.

Can christians give in to temptation? Yes.

Can christians overcome temptation? Yes.

Avoiding, fighting, and overcoming temptation may seem challenging, but it is not impossible. Although God urges us to avoid temptation, He does not ask us to do it on our own. Why? Because He knows that our human nature is weak, limited, and inclined to sin. The only way we’ll be able to stand firm against all temptations is by living in Him, through Him, and with Him.

TYPES OF TEMPTATION

Being aware that temptation exists and that we are called to resist temptation is important because we are tempted daily with a variety of temptations.

You can be tempted to:

• Practice sexual immorality
• Drift away from God
• Follow false gods
• Seek glory
• Practice ungodly habits
• Go against God’s will
• Sin against God
• Make success, fame, and riches your #1 priority

TEMPTATION IN THE BIBLE

Biblical Characters Who Gave In To Temptation:

Samson – revealed his secret to Delilah. (Judges 16)

David – committed adultery with Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11)

Adam & Eve – disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree. (Genesis 3)

Biblical Characters Who Resisted Temptation:

Joseph – did not sleep with Potiphar’s wive even though he was heavily tempted. (Genesis 39)

Jesus – resisted firm against all of Satan’s temptations while in the desert. (Matthew 4)

Job – did not curse or speak against God during his affliction. (Job 1)

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT TEMPTATION?

THE ROOT OF TEMPTATION

1. First things first, know that God doesn’t tempt anyone.

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. (NKJV)

2. Temptation comes from your own carnal desires.

James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (NKJV)

3. Do not let sin reign and cause you to fall into temptation.

Romans 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. (NKJV)

4. The desire to sin comes from within your heart.

Mark 7:20-23 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,  adulteries,  fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (NKJV)

5. Desires for pleasure come from your own body.

James 4:1 Where do wars and fights come from among you Do they not  come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (NKJV)

HOW TO FIGHT AGAINST TEMPTATION

6. Avoid falling into temptation by walking in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (NKJV)

7. Don’t follow your hearts desires.

Proverbs 7: 25-26 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths; For she has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong men. (NKJV)

8. Dress yourself with the armor of God to resist temptation.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (NKJV)

9. Fight temptation with godly weapons – prayer & scripture.

2 Corinthians 10:4 or the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (NKJV)

10. Submit to God and resist temptations from the devil.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (NKJV)

11. There is always a way out of temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (NKJV)

12. God can deliver you out of temptations.

2 Peter 2:9 Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment. (NKJV)

13. God rewards those who resist temptation.

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 has promised to those who love Him. (NKJV)

PRAY AGAINST TEMPTATION

14. Pray to not enter into temptation.

Luke 22:40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (NKJV)

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (NKJV)

15. Open your heart to God and put everything before Him.

Psalm 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. (NKJV)

16. Pray to be delivered from all temptation.

Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (NKJV)

RUN TO JESUS

17. Jesus doesn’t judge or condemn you.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (NKJV)

18. Jesus is able to aid those who are tempted.

Hebrews 2:14 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (NKJV)

19. Run to Jesus to obtain help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (NKJV)

20. And even when you do fail, remember that Jesus is able to restore you.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (NKJV)

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope you found this post helpful and learned a little bit more on what the Bible says about temptation. Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on this topic. How have you been dealing with temptations lately?

More Posts You May Like:

• What Does The Bible Say About Ambition?
• What Does The Bible Say About Laziness?
• Who Does God Say I am?
• How To Rest In Jesus When You’re Exhausted.
• 20 Of Satan’s Lies To Replace With God’s Truth

Sending you blessings & love,

Gabby Abigail

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