Temptation is an inevitable part of human experience, mentioned frequently throughout the Bible. It poses challenges and tests our faith, but also provides opportunities for growth and development. The Bible offers wisdom and guidance in dealing with temptation, encouraging believers to remain steadfast and seek divine strength. Below, explore verses on temptation, each with related scriptures to broaden your understanding of this compelling theme.
Bible Verses About Temptation
1. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God Provides a Way Out
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Related Verses:
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:13
2. James 1:13 – God Does Not Tempt
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” – James 1:13
Related Verses:
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.” – James 1:14
“Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21
“Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” – 1 Peter 5:9
3. Matthew 4:1 – Jesus Tempted by the Devil
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” – Matthew 4:1
Related Verses:
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.” – Hebrews 4:14
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
4. Proverbs 7:25-26 – Beware of Temptation’s Allure
“Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.” – Proverbs 7:25-26
Related Verses:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” – Psalm 119:9
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:18
5. Genesis 3:6 – Temptation in the Garden
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” – Genesis 3:6
Related Verses:
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” – 1 John 2:16
“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” – James 1:14
“Then I myself admit your hand was strong upon me day and night; my even strength was sapped in the heat of summer.” – Psalm 32:4
6. Luke 22:40 – Pray Against Temptation
“On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’” – Luke 22:40
Related Verses:
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2
“When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him.” – Deuteronomy 4:30
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6
7. Hebrews 2:18 – Jesus Empathizes with Our Temptations
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” – Hebrews 2:18
Related Verses:
“For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” – Hebrews 2:17
“In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him.” – 1 Samuel 18:14
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—” – Hebrews 2:14
8. 2 Peter 2:9 – The Lord Knows How to Rescue
“If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.” – 2 Peter 2:9
Related Verses:
“You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.” – Psalm 80:1-2
“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” – Psalm 34:19
“Be wary but not afraid; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
9. Galatians 5:16 – Walk by the Spirit
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
Related Verses:
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” – Galatians 5:17
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:18
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” – Romans 8:9
10. 1 Peter 5:8 – Be Alert
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
Related Verses:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” – Colossians 2:8
“And do not give the devil a foothold.” – Ephesians 4:27
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10
11. Romans 7:15 – Struggle with Sin
“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” – Romans 7:15
Related Verses:
“For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” – Romans 7:22-23
“So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” – Romans 7:25
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
12. Job 31:1 – A Covenant with My Eyes
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” – Job 31:1
Related Verses:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:27-28
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” – Ephesians 5:3
“How can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” – Genesis 39:9
13. Ephesians 6:11 – Armor of God
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Ephesians 6:11
Related Verses:
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” – Ephesians 6:13
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” – Ephesians 6:10
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:17
14. Philippians 4:13 – Strength in Christ
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Related Verses:
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
15. John 8:44 – The Devil’s Nature
“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44
Related Verses:
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:4
“In which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” – Ephesians 2:2
“They are of the world, and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.” – 1 John 4:5
16. Psalm 119:11 – Hiding God’s Word in Our Hearts
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” – Psalm 119:11
Related Verses:
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” – Psalm 119:9
“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” – Psalm 119:35
“I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” – Psalm 77:12
17. 1 John 2:15-16 – Do Not Love the World
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” – 1 John 2:15-16
Related Verses:
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” – James 4:4
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:17
“Truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” – John 6:47
18. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Reject Every Evil
“Reject every kind of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Related Verses:
“The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.” – Psalm 119:160
“Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” – Psalm 119:104
“Run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.” – 1 Timothy 6:11
19. Matthew 18:7 – Woe to Temptation
“Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” – Matthew 18:7
Related Verses:
“Watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.” – Luke 17:3
“But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’” – Matthew 24:48
“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Mark 10:9
20. Ecclesiastes 7:25-26 – Wisdom on Temptation
“So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly. I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.” – Ecclesiastes 7:25-26
Related Verses:
“For though they had no righteous sheet, since they were unclean, everyone who has done wrong would come, and from one side they would entreat, heresy and errors of Christ the Lord.” – Philippians 3:18
“Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.” – Proverbs 4:10
“Fearing the LORD brings life and one rests content, untouched by trouble.” – Proverbs 19:23
21. Joshua 24:15 – Choose Whom You Will Serve
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15
Related Verses:
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24
“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.” – Deuteronomy 30:15
“And if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.” – 2 Timothy 2:13
22. Proverbs 6:27-28 – Fire in the Bosom
“Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” – Proverbs 6:27-28
Related Verses:
“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;” – Proverbs 5:3
“But her end is as bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.” – Proverbs 5:4
“In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.” – Proverbs 23:32
23. Psalm 141:4 – Turn Away from Evil
“Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” – Psalm 141:4
Related Verses:
“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.” – Psalm 16:1
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” – Psalm 143:10
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,” – Psalm 1:1
24. 1 Timothy 6:9 – Temptation of Riches
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” – 1 Timothy 6:9
Related Verses:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
“You can be sure that the righteous man has been lifted from his misery, but the ungodly man will not be able to withstand temptation.” – Job 20:12
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable.” – 1 Timothy 6:17
25. Colossians 3:5 – Put to Death Earthly Desires
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5
Related Verses:
“For as long as we have breath, every man has the opportunity to do something that constitutes a success.” –Ecclesiates 1:3
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” – James 4:1
“Since you have taken off your old self with its practices” – Colossians 3:9
26. Proverbs 1:10 – Do Not Consent
“My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.” – Proverbs 1:10
Related Verses:
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.” – Proverbs 4:14
“Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,” – Proverbs 5:8
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
27. James 4:7 – Submit to God
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Related Verses:
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” – Ephesians 5:21
“And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
28. 2 Timothy 2:22 – Pursue Righteousness
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22
Related Verses:
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” – 1 Timothy 6:11
“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21
29. Luke 11:4 – Forgive and Deliver
“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.” – Luke 11:4
Related Verses:
“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” – Hebrews 12:15
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
“Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is.” – Mark 13:33
30. Romans 13:14 – Clothe Ourselves with Christ
“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Romans 13:14
Related Verses:
“We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” – Romans 3:24
31. Genesis 39:12 – Flee from Sin
“She caught him by his cloak and said, ‘Come to bed with me!’ But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.” – Genesis 39:12
Related Verses:
“For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.” – Psalm 5:4
“Not even a hint of sexual immorality, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” – Ephesians 5:3
“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.” – James 1:13
32. 1 Corinthians 6:18 – Flee from Sexual Immorality
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:18
Related Verses:
“Therefore honor God with your bodies.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22
“Each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,” – 1 Thessalonians 4:4
Final Thoughts
Temptation challenges the moral compass of believers, offering trials that can steer them toward or away from righteousness. However, Scripture provides both warnings and the promise of God’s help to overcome these enticements. Through prayer, strengthening faith, and the armor of God, Christians are equipped to combat the lure of sin.
Each verse emphasizes God’s unwavering presence and assistance in these battles. Remember, temptation is not a sign of weakness but an opportunity for resilience and devotion to divine will and principles. Reflecting on these teachings, may each reader find strength and solace in God’s word, emboldened in their pursuit of righteousness and equipped with the Holy Spirit’s guidance to resist temptation in its many forms.