Temptation is basically an instigation to sin. A person who is under temptation, literally he is being motivated and induced to transgress the Law of God and do what is morally wrong and contrary to the will of the Lord. Follow us as we bring to you a brighter insight about temptation in the bible.
Temptation in the Bible – What is Temptation and What does the Bible says about it?
The verb “try” translates in the Bible some Hebrew and Greek terms that do not necessarily have this bad meaning. In many biblical passages, these terms simply indicate a type of test in order to prove something or someone.
There is also that kind of temptation which means an attack by one person against another with the aim of identifying and exposing their weak points in an attempt to use them against the person who was tested. It is in this sense that the enemies of the Lord Jesus often tempted him in the hope of stopping his ministry (cf. Matthew 16:1).
So the correct thing is to know that the context will determine the best meaning of the word temptation and its derived expressions. However, undoubtedly the predominant sense in Christian thought when talking about temptation concerns something very bad and related to sin.
In this sense, Satan and fallen human nature itself are pointed out as the agents of temptation.
The Origin of Temptation
Considering the meaning of temptation in its bad sense, the Bible is clear in stating that temptations never come from God. That’s because this kind of temptation is completely contrary to the nature and attributes of God.
James writes that when someone is tempted, he should never say, “I am tempted by God”. The biblical writer explains that God cannot be tempted by evil, and no one tempts (James 1:13).
On the other hand, the Devil appears in the Bible as the main instigator of temptation. He exerts great pressure on men to become more and more involved in sin. Hence the apostle Paul calls Satan “the tempter” who tempts even Christians into error (1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5).
Satan is a tempting promoter that should never be underestimated. When undertaking a temptation against someone, he uses cunning, intelligence and strategy. In his perversity, he is able to use even the Word of God in a distorted way to support his temptation. This is how He tempted the first couple in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3; Revelation 12:9; 20:2); and then tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:3).
The Bible also places man’s sinful nature as a source of temptation. This means that the temptation to give in to sin often comes from man’s evil thoughts and lusts (James 1:13). Other people can also serve as agents of temptation. This occurs when someone induces another to sin.
Yet even a temptation that does not originate with God is not apart from his sovereign plan for our good. When we go through these temptations, we come out of them stronger and with an even clearer awareness of our dependence on God’s grace and the need for sanctification.
Difference between temptation and sin
You also need to know that being tempted is not a sin; sin is giving in to temptation. So there is a big difference between temptation and sin. Some people confuse these two things. There are people who think that the fact that someone is being tempted is already a sin, but this is wrong.
As long as a person is resisting temptation, there has not yet been a sin, that is, the temptation has not been embraced and the sin has not been consummated. Yet it is true that at this stage of resisting temptation, there is a great conflict that is part of the process of sanctification.
But even when a Christian gives in to determined temptation and commits sin, he still has the promise of restoring forgiveness that flows from God’s merciful redeeming grace (1 John 2:1). However, giving in to temptation is an accident in the life of the true Christian, not something that characterizes him (1 John 1:10; 3:9).
Resisting and overcoming temptation
Giving in to temptation is a very bad and dangerous thing; it can even demonstrate that someone’s profession of faith is not sincere. Jesus spoke exactly about this in the Parable of the Sower ( Luke 8:13,14). So this means that the Christian must resist the temptations that come to him.
But it is true that resisting temptation is not an easy thing. This difficulty arises because the heart of man is corrupted by sin; his nature is sinful and inclined to evil. So man has a natural tendency to fall into temptation. This explains why the Christian is so dependent on divine help to be able to resist temptation.
The Christian can resist temptation only because of his union with Christ. The writer of Hebrews says that Christ went through every kind of temptation, yet he never sinned. For this reason, He is able to succor those who are also being tempted (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15).
He who has been redeemed by Christ is freed from the guilt and power of sin. The genuine Christian is no longer under the dominion of darkness but belongs to the kingdom and family of God (Colossians 1:12-14). Through the work of the Holy Spirit in his life, the Christian has the necessary resources to resist evil. So he seeks God always, meditates on the Scriptures, and is concerned to flee from evil.
However great the temptations are, the believer should be comforted that none of them are beyond God’s control. Temptations will never exceed the limits allowed by God (Job 1:8-12; 2:3-6; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, believers can truly pray to the Father, asking: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).
Temptation in the bible verses
Use these 10 Bible verses to avoid falling into temptation.
If you had any doubts, there are biblical verses to avoid falling into temptation. We have compiled the most beautiful words that help us not to fall into sin.
Temptation is, without a doubt, a part of life. We will not stop being tempted by sin. However, in every temptation that presents itself, we have the opportunity to overcome sin.
With these 10 Bible verses to avoid falling into temptation, God shows us, with his own words, that there is a way to resist temptation…
Bible verses to avoid falling into temptation
God always has a way out for you. If you agree to the temptation, it will become a sin, how to escape from it? you need to resist:
James 1:14-15: “(…) a person can fall into temptation by himself, it happens when he is attracted and seduced by his own lust. After this moment, concupiscence leads him to sin, and when the sin is consummated, death comes.”
If you put the Word of God into your heart before you are tempted, it will be there when you need it:
Psalm 119:11: “Your sayings I have kept in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11: “With what will you cleanse your path? By keeping your Word.”
Ephesians 6:10-11: “They must be strengthened in the Lord, and in the power of his might (…) so that they may stand firm against the temptations of the devil.”
More than your desires, love Jesus with all your might:
John 14:15: “If you love me, keep my commandments.”
Resistance is the basis of everything at the time of temptation. Jesus taught us how to achieve it, through the Word of God:
James 4:7: “Submit yourselves to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Matthew 4:10: “Jesus said to him: Go away, Satan, for it is written: You shall worship God, and only him shall you serve.”.
Elevate your prayers! Go ask for help to overcome temptation:
Romans 6:14: “ For sin shall not dominate them; They are not under law but under grace. “
Jesus left us his example, let’s follow him:
Hebrews 5:7-8: “And Christ (…) offering supplications and prayers with tears and a loud cry to the only one who could deliver him from death… thanks to his reverent fear he was heard. He was the Son of God; but for the same thing that he had suffered, he learned about obedience… ”
Remember that you are the owner of your actions, in the Word of God, you have the strength and the best weapon to free yourself from temptation and sin. Pray and God will hear you!
