Bible Verses About Temptation

Temptation is common to everyone, but never irresistible for the believer. These verses about temptation promise a way of 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.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

No temptation taken you but such as is common to man — the first comfort offered is that it is not unusual. The way to escape is promised with the temptation, not instead of it.

“He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” — Matthew 26:41 (KJV)

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Said in Gethsemane to disciples who then fell asleep again.

“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.” — Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)

Tempted like as we are, yet without sin — the qualification cuts both ways. Sinlessness means he did not give in, not that he was spared the pull.

“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:” — James 1:13 (KJV)

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God — the source is corrected before the process is described. God is said to tempt no man.

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” — Matthew 4:1 (KJV)

Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted — the leading and the tempting are in the same sentence. Temptation is not evidence of having wandered off.

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” — 2 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations — knoweth how is a claim about competence. It is set against a list of judgements in the same passage.

“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.” — 1 John 2:16 (KJV)

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — three categories that between them cover most of it. The classification is old and still usable.

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” — Proverbs 1:10 (KJV)

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not — the whole defence is placed at the moment of consent. The enticement itself is assumed.

“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.” — Genesis 39:12 (KJV)

He left his garment in her hand and fled — Joseph's response cost him his coat and then his freedom. Fleeing is recorded as more effective than arguing.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” — Psalm 119:11 (KJV)

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. The preparation is described as done in advance and stored.

“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.” — Luke 4:13 (KJV)

The devil departed from him for a season — the temptation account ends by noting it would return. Nothing is described as settled permanently.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7 (KJV)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. The order matters: submission first, resistance second.

“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.” — 1 Timothy 6:9 (KJV)

They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare — the temptation described is one people walk toward deliberately. Wanting is named as the entry point.

“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” — 2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV)

Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness — a movement away paired with a movement toward. Both verbs are needed for the instruction to work.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21 (KJV)

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. The strategy given is displacement rather than suppression.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wiles implies strategy, which is why armour rather than alertness alone.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about temptation?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 26:41, Hebrews 4:15, James 1:13, Matthew 4:1, 2 Peter 2:9, 1 John 2:16, Proverbs 1:10, Genesis 39:12, Psalm 119:11, Luke 4:13, James 4:7, 1 Timothy 6:9, 2 Timothy 2:22…

What is a good Bible verse about temptation?

1 Corinthians 10:13 is the passage most often quoted on temptation, with Matthew 26:41 and Hebrews 4:15 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these temptation verses?

You can read all of these verses about temptation — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.