Everyone knows temptation – the small and the large. The Bible does not condemn being tempted, because even Jesus was tempted. But it shows ways to resist. Here you will find 21 Bible verses about temptation.
Tempted like us
Even Jesus was tempted – he understands us.
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Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, that he might be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1Devil
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And 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.”
Matthew 4:4Spiritual WarfareAddiction
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Then Jesus said to him: Get thee behind me, Satan! for it is written: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and serve him only.”
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For we have not an High Priest which cannot be moved with the compassion of our infirmities; but is tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin.
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For in so much as he hath suffered and been tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Hebrews 2:18Suffering
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Let no man say, when he is tempted, that he is tempted of God. For God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn and enticed by his own lust.
James 1:13-14
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And the woman looked, and that the tree was good to eat of, and that it was pleasant to the eye, and that it was a tree of pleasure, because it made wise; and she took of the fruit and ate, and gave also unto her husband of it, and he ate.
Genesis 3:6
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For all that is in the world, both the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world.
1 John 2:16
Resist
Assurances and advice for the moment of temptation.
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No temptation hath yet come unto you, but such as is common to men. But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will provide a way, that ye might be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13AddictionFaithfulness
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Watch and pray ye, lest ye fall into temptation! The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
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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.
Matthew 6:13EvilOur Father
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Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him.
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Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7Spiritual WarfareDevil
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For the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation: but the unrighteous shall be kept unto the day of judgment, to be tormented.
2 Peter 2:9
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Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with all men, whom the Lord is called unto.
2 Timothy 2:22Youth
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Flee fornication. All sins that a man committeth are without his body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1 Corinthians 6:18
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How shall a young man keep himself undefiled? If he keep himself according to thy word.
Psalm 119:9Youth
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I keep thy word in my heart, that I sin not against thee.
Psalm 119:11God's Word
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My child, if the evil boys entice thee, follow not.
Proverbs 1:10
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Beloved brethren, if a man be overtaken with a fault, restore him with meekness of spirit, ye who are in the spirit; and look to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Galatians 6:1Meekness
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But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:14aSelf-ControlClothing
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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Temptation Is Not Sin
Jesus himself was tempted – forty days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). The Epistle to the Hebrews emphasizes that he “is tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Being tempted is therefore not the same as sinning. James describes the path from temptation to sin clearly: one's own lust entices, then sin grows out of it (James 1:14-15). Between temptation and sin there is a space – and in this space one can resist.
What Helps in the Moment of Temptation
The Bible gives surprisingly practical advice. First: God does not let anyone be tempted beyond their strength and provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). Second: Sometimes running away is the wisest strategy – “Flee from fornication!” (1 Corinthians 6:18), “Flee the lusts of youth” (2 Timothy 2:22). Third: Watch and pray (Matthew 26:41). And fourth: Jesus answers the tempter with a Bible verse every time. More on this at Bible verses about self-control, Bible verses about lust and Bible verses on addiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does it say that God does not let us be tempted beyond our strength?
In 1 Corinthians 10:13: “But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will provide a way, that ye might be able to bear it.”
Does God tempt people?
No. It explicitly says: “For God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (James 1:13). Temptation arises from one's own lust (James 1:14).
