Draw a random verse about temptation and see how Scripture speaks about watchfulness, escape and overcoming.
What the Bible Says About Temptation
Scripture treats temptation as a normal part of human life, not as proof that someone is far from God. Jesus himself was tempted in the wilderness, and the letter to the Hebrews says that is why he can help others who are tempted. James adds an important detail: God does not tempt anyone, and desire usually grows quietly inside a person before it becomes action. The Bible's answers are practical. Know the Scriptures, as Jesus did when he answered the devil. Stay awake and pray, as he told his disciples. Flee certain situations instead of arguing with them, as Joseph did. And lean on the promise that God provides a way out.
Where Temptation Appears
The theme begins in Genesis 3 with the serpent and the forbidden fruit, and continues through Cain, Joseph, Achan, Samson and David, whose stories show both falling and standing firm. The Psalms and Proverbs supply prayers and warnings about the eyes, the tongue, money, alcohol and bad company. The Gospels record the three wilderness temptations and the night in Gethsemane. Paul's letters speak of the struggle between flesh and Spirit, and Peter, James and John give short instructions on resisting. The final chapters of Revelation promise reward to those who overcome.
The same chapters show that temptation rarely announces itself. It often arrives as a reasonable-sounding question, a quiet opportunity or a hunger that is good in itself, which is why so many verses stress watchfulness and community. It is also worth noticing how often failure is followed by mercy. David, Peter and others are restored after they stumble. Several verses here are about confession and forgiveness as much as resistance.
Ways to Use These Verses
- Read a verse when you notice a recurring weak point, then look at the note to see how the original person faced it.
- Memorize one short verse, such as a line from Psalm 119, so it is ready in the moment.
- Compare Jesus' three answers in Matthew 4 with the passages in Deuteronomy he quotes.
- Share a verse with a friend who has asked for accountability.
Some struggles, such as addiction or compulsive habits, are heavy and may need more than a verse. If that is your situation, talking with a trusted friend, pastor or counselor is a wise step, and the Bible itself encourages bearing one another's burdens.
If you would like a wider mix of passages, try the Bible verse randomizer or the random encouraging Bible verse page, and browse the Bible books to read the full chapter around any verse that catches your attention.
Verses in This Collection
- Genesis 3:3-6 – But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 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.
The serpent contradicts what God said about the tree, and Eve and Adam eat the forbidden fruit, the first recorded failure of the human race in the garden. - Genesis 4:7 – If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Before Cain turns on his brother Abel, God warns him that sin is waiting like an animal at the door and can be mastered. - Genesis 39:9 – There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Joseph refuses his master's wife, saying that giving in would betray the man who trusted him and would be a sin against God. - Exodus 20:17 – Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
The tenth commandment deals with desire itself, forbidding Israelites from coveting a neighbor's house, spouse, servants or property, which is where most wrongdoing starts. - Exodus 23:2 – Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
Israel's law warns against joining the crowd to do wrong or bending testimony in court just because the majority leans one way. - Numbers 15:39 – And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD , and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
God tells Israel to wear tassels on their garments so that seeing them will remind the people not to chase whatever their eyes and hearts crave. - Deuteronomy 6:16 – Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
Moses tells Israel not to put God to the test as they did at Massah, the place where they quarreled over water. - Deuteronomy 8:2 – And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Moses recalls the forty years in the wilderness, when God humbled Israel to reveal what was in their hearts and whether they would obey. - Joshua 7:21 – When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Achan admits to Joshua that he saw a beautiful robe and silver and gold at Jericho, wanted them, and took them, hiding them in his tent. - Judges 16:15-17 – And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth . And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother’s womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.
Delilah nags Samson day after day about the secret of his strength until he gives in and tells her, which leads to his capture. - 1 Samuel 24:6 – And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD .
David has Saul at his mercy in a cave yet refuses to harm the man God anointed, and even regrets cutting his robe. - 2 Samuel 11:2 – And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
Walking on his palace roof while the army is away at war, David notices Bathsheba bathing, and a long chain of wrongdoing begins. - 1 Kings 11:4 – For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
Writing about Solomon's old age, the historian says his many foreign wives gradually turned his heart toward other gods, so that he was no longer wholly devoted. - Job 2:9-10 – Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
After Job loses his children and health, his wife urges him to curse God and die, but he answers that he will accept bad along with good. - Job 31:1 – I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
Defending his integrity, Job says he made a pact with his own eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman. - Psalm 1:1 – Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
The Psalter opens by describing the happy person as one who does not walk with the wicked, stand with sinners or sit with mockers. - Psalm 19:12-13 – Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults . Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
David asks to be cleared of hidden faults and held back from deliberate sins so they never gain control over him. - Psalm 26:2 – Examine me, O LORD , and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
David invites God to examine him, test his motives and try his heart, confident that he has tried to live faithfully. - Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
After the prophet Nathan confronts him over Bathsheba and Uriah, David asks God to make him clean and renew a steady spirit within. - Psalm 73:2-3 – But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Asaph confesses he almost lost his footing because he envied arrogant people who seemed to prosper in spite of their wickedness. - Psalm 101:3 – I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
In a vow about how he will rule, David promises not to keep anything vile in front of his eyes and to hate the conduct of faithless people. - Psalm 119:9 – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
The writer asks how a young person can keep life pure and answers that it happens by living according to God's word. - Psalm 119:11 – Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
The psalmist says he has stored God's word in his heart so that he will not sin against God. - Psalm 119:37 – Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
The writer prays that God will turn his eyes away from worthless things and give him life by following God's ways. - Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
David ends a psalm about God's complete knowledge by asking God to search his heart, expose anxious thoughts and lead him on the lasting way. - Psalm 141:3-4 – Set a watch, O LORD , before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
David asks God to post a guard over his mouth and keep his heart from drifting toward evil or sharing the feasts of wrongdoers. - Proverbs 1:10 – My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
A father instructs his son that when sinners entice him, he should not agree, before a gang invites him to join a robbery. - Proverbs 4:14-15 – Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men . Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
The teacher says to stay off the path of the wicked, avoid it, turn away from it and pass by. - Proverbs 4:23 – Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Among a father's lessons to his son, this one says to guard the heart above everything else, since it shapes the course of life. - Proverbs 5:8 – Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
In a long warning about adultery, the father tells his son to keep far away from the immoral woman and not even approach her door. - Proverbs 6:27-28 – Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Using the images of fire in a lap and walking on hot coals, the teacher shows that adultery cannot be toyed with unharmed. - Proverbs 7:6-8 – For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
The writer describes a naive young man who wanders near the corner where an adulteress lives, showing how temptation often begins with a casual walk. - Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
The proverb warns that a way can look right to a person and still end in death, so feelings alone are unreliable guides. - Proverbs 16:32 – He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Someone slow to anger and able to control their own temper is called better than a mighty soldier or a conqueror of cities. - Proverbs 25:28 – He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
A person with no self-control is compared to a city with its walls broken down, open to any attacker. - Proverbs 27:12 – A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
A shrewd person sees danger coming and takes cover, while naive people walk straight in and pay for it. - Ecclesiastes 4:12 – And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
The Teacher notes that one person can be overpowered but two can stand together, and a cord of three strands is not quickly cut. - Isaiah 30:21 – And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Isaiah promises God's people that if they begin to wander off, they will hear a voice behind them pointing out the right way. - Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things , and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jeremiah says the human heart is more deceitful than anything and beyond cure, a reason not to trust our own impulses uncritically. - Daniel 1:8 – But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
As a young captive in Babylon, Daniel decides not to defile himself with the king's food and asks the chief official for another diet. - Daniel 6:10 – Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Though King Darius has signed an order banning prayer to anyone else, Daniel keeps praying three times a day at his open window. - Matthew 4:1-4 – Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 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.
After his baptism, the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness, where after fasting forty days he is tempted to turn stones into bread, and he replies from Deuteronomy. - Matthew 4:5-7 – Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 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. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
The devil takes Jesus to the temple's highest point and invites him to jump, quoting a psalm; Jesus answers by refusing to test God. - Matthew 4:8-10 – 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; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 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.
The devil offers Jesus every kingdom of the world in return for worship, and Jesus sends him away, saying God alone is to be worshiped. - Matthew 5:28 – But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that adultery begins before any act, with lustful looking at another person. - Matthew 5:29-30 – And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Jesus uses dramatic language about removing an eye or hand that causes stumbling to stress how seriously sin should be taken, not as a literal command. - Matthew 6:13 – And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Jesus teaches his followers to ask the Father not to lead them into testing and to rescue them from the evil one. - Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
In Gethsemane, Jesus finds his disciples asleep and tells them to stay awake and pray, since their intentions are willing but their bodies weak. - Matthew 26:74-75 – Then began he to curse and to swear, saying , I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Peter swears he does not know Jesus, hears the rooster crow, remembers the warning and weeps bitterly, a picture of how quickly fear overcomes bold promises. - Mark 4:18-19 – And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Explaining the parable of the sower, Jesus says worries, the pull of wealth and other desires can crowd out the message like thorns choking a plant. - Luke 4:13 – And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.
Luke notes that when the wilderness testing ended the devil left Jesus only until a more suitable time, suggesting temptation returns. - Luke 8:13 – They on the rock are they , which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
In the parable of the sower, those on rocky ground welcome the word with joy but fall away when testing comes because they have no root. - Luke 22:31-32 – And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Jesus tells Simon Peter that Satan has asked to sift the disciples, but that he has prayed for Peter's faith and expects him to return and strengthen others. - Luke 22:40 – And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
On the Mount of Olives, just before his arrest, Jesus tells his disciples to pray that they will not fall into temptation. - John 17:15 – I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
In his prayer for his followers, Jesus asks not that the Father remove them from the world but that he keep them safe from the evil one. - Romans 6:12-14 – Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Paul tells believers not to let sin rule their bodies or offer their limbs to wrongdoing, since they are now under grace, not law. - Romans 7:15 – For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Paul describes the inner tug-of-war of a person who wants to do right yet finds himself doing things he hates. - Romans 7:24-25 – O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
After describing his struggle, Paul cries out for rescue and answers with thanks to God through Jesus Christ. - Romans 8:13 – For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Paul teaches that living by the sinful nature leads to death, whereas putting the body's misdeeds to death by the Spirit leads to life. - Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Paul urges Roman Christians not to be shaped by the pattern of this age but to be transformed by renewing their minds. - Romans 12:21 – Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Paul concludes his advice on dealing with enemies by saying evil should not conquer a believer, who should overcome it with good. - Romans 13:14 – But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Paul tells Christians to clothe themselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and not to plan ahead for ways to satisfy sinful cravings. - 1 Corinthians 6:18 – Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Writing to a city known for loose morals, Paul tells the church to run from sexual immorality, since it is a sin against one's own body. - 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 – And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Paul compares himself to an athlete in strict training, disciplining his body so that after preaching to others he is not disqualified. - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 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.
Paul cautions those who feel secure to watch their step, and says God is faithful, never allows temptation beyond what you can bear and provides a way out. - 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Quoting a common saying, Paul warns the Corinthians not to be fooled, because bad company wears down good character. - 2 Corinthians 10:5 – Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Paul says believers fight with spiritual weapons that demolish arguments and bring every thought into obedience to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 11:3 – But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Paul fears that, as the serpent fooled Eve, the Corinthians' minds will be led away from simple and pure devotion to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 12:9 – And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
When Paul prays to be relieved of a thorn in the flesh, the Lord replies that grace is enough and power is made complete in weakness. - Galatians 5:16 – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Paul advises Galatian believers to walk by the Spirit, promising that they will then not carry out the desires of the flesh. - Galatians 6:1 – Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Paul tells spiritual believers to restore someone caught in a sin gently, while watching themselves in case they are tempted too. - Ephesians 4:27 – Neither give place to the devil.
In a passage on anger and honesty, Paul warns Christians not to give the devil a foothold by holding on to resentment. - Ephesians 6:11 – Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Paul urges the Ephesians to put on the full armor God supplies so they can stand against the devil's schemes. - Ephesians 6:16 – Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Among the pieces of armor, Paul names the shield of faith, which can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. - Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Paul advises Philippian believers to fill their thoughts with whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and worthy of praise. - Colossians 3:5 – Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Paul tells the Colossians to put to death earthly habits such as sexual immorality, impurity, evil desire and greed. - 1 Thessalonians 3:5 – For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
Worried that the tempter might have undone his work, Paul sends Timothy to find out whether the young Thessalonian church remains steady. - 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 – Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Paul closes his letter by telling believers to test everything, hold on to what is good and stay away from every kind of evil. - 1 Timothy 6:9-11 – But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Paul warns that those set on getting rich fall into traps and ruin, and tells Timothy to run from this and pursue righteousness. - 2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Paul tells young Timothy to run away from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace alongside others who call on the Lord sincerely. - 2 Timothy 4:10 – For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
Writing from prison near the end of his life, Paul says Demas has deserted him because he loved the present world. - Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Paul says God's grace has appeared and trains believers to say no to ungodliness and worldly desires and live sensibly in the present age. - Hebrews 2:18 – For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
The writer says that because Jesus himself suffered when tempted, he is able to come to the aid of those being tempted. - Hebrews 4:15-16 – 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. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus is described as a high priest who sympathizes with human weakness and was tempted in every way without sinning, so believers may approach him boldly for help. - Hebrews 11:24-26 – By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Hebrews says Moses grew up in Pharaoh's house yet chose to share the hardship of God's people rather than enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. - Hebrews 12:1 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
After listing heroes of faith, the writer urges readers to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that clings so closely, and run with perseverance. - James 1:12 – Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
James says the person who stays steady under trial is blessed and will receive the crown of life promised to those who love God. - James 1:13-15 – Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James teaches that God does not tempt anyone; instead each person is pulled by their own desire, which grows into sin and then into death. - James 4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James tells readers to submit themselves to God, resist the devil, and the devil will run away from them. - 1 Peter 2:11 – Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Peter calls his readers foreigners in the world and urges them to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. - 1 Peter 5:8-9 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Peter warns believers to stay alert because the devil prowls like a roaring lion, and tells them to resist him, firm in faith, knowing others suffer too. - 2 Peter 2:9 – The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Peter assures his readers that the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, while holding the unrighteous for judgment. - 1 John 2:1 – My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
John writes so that his readers may not sin, but adds that if anyone does, they have an advocate with the Father in Jesus Christ. - 1 John 2:15-16 – 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. 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.
John tells believers not to love the world or its things, naming the cravings of the flesh, desires of the eyes and pride in possessions. - 1 John 4:4 – Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
John assures children of God that they have overcome false spirits, because the one in them is greater than the one in the world. - 1 John 5:18 – We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
John says that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning, because the Son of God protects them and the evil one cannot harm them. - Jude 1:24 – Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jude ends his short letter with praise to the God who is able to keep believers from stumbling and present them without fault. - Revelation 3:10 – Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Jesus tells the church in Philadelphia that because they have patiently endured, he will keep them from the hour of trial coming on the world. - Revelation 12:11 – And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
John says the saints overcame the accuser by the blood of the Lamb, their testimony, and a willingness not to cling to their lives.
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