The Bible says in Matthew 26:41 NLT, “ Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Please join me, my sisters in Christ, as we dig deeper and explore the biblical perspective of temptation. From a biblical perspective, temptation is the enticement to sin, enticing us to veer off the path of righteousness and commit acts contrary to God’s commands. It’s a test of character, morality, and—spoiler alert—every one of us is susceptible!
Remember when you were little, and you’d make a beeline for that cookie jar your mom strategically placed out of reach? That’s temptation. But where does it come from? In a biblical sense, temptation originates from two primary sources—external and internal. Externally, Satan, evil entities, and worldly allurements birth temptation. Internally, our own sinful desires feed it. The purpose of temptation is two-fold. A test of our spirituality, yes, but also an opportunity for spiritual growth.
The Bible doesn’t just discuss temptation; it shows it in action. From Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (read Genesis chapter 3) to Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) to you and me today. These instances serve as teaching moments—one extensive divine course in the perils of temptation, as in the case of Adam and Eve, and then the triumphs of resisting temptation in Jesus’ case.
Now, let’s discuss the sovereignty of God in relationship to human temptation.
As Supreme Ruler, God holds the reins but never tempts anyone Himself. James 1:13 NLT states, “And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.”
Now, I know there may be times when it may seem to us that a particular experience with a certain temptation is far too unbearable to resist. However, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure”. God permits temptation but also limits it. God sees our experiences with temptation from start to finish. He’s an omniscient God, meaning that He knows all things. God already knows the end result, and as stated previously in 1 Corinthians 10:13, God has already provided the way out. It is up to us to take that way out.
Let’s look at the role of inherent human sinfulness.
You might say, “But I was born this way!” Yes, we’re indeed saddled with inherent sinfulness because of Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden. The Bible says in Romans 5:12 NLT, “ When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned”. (Also Read Romans 3:23)
But we still can and should choose good over evil.
You may ask, how does free will and personal responsibility play a role in temptation? Good question!
You see, sovereign God has given us the freedom to choose, but with great liberty comes great accountability. Here, it’s essential to remember, “Do not blame God for being tempted” (James 1:13).
Now, let’s take a look at three biblical figures and their encounters with temptation.
1. Adam and Eve: The First Temptation
Adam and Eve – the original yielders to temptation! Their scriptural account in Genesis Chapter 3 symbolizes humanity’s fall to temptation. Please note that temptation is often most powerful where we are most vulnerable, and the consequences of yielding to temptation may sometimes have a devastating and lasting impact on our lives.
2. Jesus Christ and His Temptation in the Wilderness
We can find the next lesson in the New Testament in the life of Jesus himself. Christ was tempted in the wilderness, yet He did not yield to it. His encounter with Satan (Matthew 4:1-11) teaches us that knowing and using scripture is our best weapon against temptation.
3. Apostle Paul: Struggles with the “Thorn in Flesh”
Even Apostle Paul wasn’t spared. Paul had his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). His mystery struggle reminds us that even devout Christians can wrestle with temptation. Remember, my sisters, no one’s immune!
What are some of God’s provisions for overcoming temptation?
Again, God doesn’t bring on temptation, but He sure helps us fight it! He provides spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) and offers us the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and power to overcome temptation.
Now, let’s talk a little more about these wonderful tools of spiritual armor that the Bible speaks of in Ephesians 6:10-18. When we use this spiritual armor in our lives, then we will be able to resist temptation. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:13 NLT, “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm”.
Spiritual Armor
- The Belt of Truth: God’s Word, the Bible is truth. Therefore, read it, study it, and memorize it so you will know God’s truth from Satan’s lies when he’s trying to tempt you.
- Breastplate of Righteousness: (Righteousness is morally correct behavior or living right according to God’s standards) Note: As Christians, our righteousness is not our own. Still, God attributed Jesus’ perfect righteousness to us. (Read 2 Corinthians 5:21) Unrighteous living is like an open invitation for Satan and his demons to invade our minds in order to attempt to defeat us. Don’t let him!
- For Shoes put on the Gospel of Peace: Despite the temptation, be intentional about letting the peace from God that results from righteous living verify that you are operating in the will of God.
- Shield of Faith: Have firm faith in the only one (Jesus) who has already conquered Satan and his lies and schemes that try to trap and defeat you.
- Helmet of Salvation: The helmet protects your head, the location of your mind, which is the control center of your body. The Bible says in Philippians 4:8 NLT, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise”.
- When you are purposefully seeking to keep your mind on just what the Bible says: things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise, then you will find that those temptations to watch pornography and immoral movies/TV shows, read inappropriate books, and listen to song lyrics with foul language and all that glorify worldly living, and so on; become less appealing to you. The good news is that as born-again believers in Jesus Christ, we do not have to surrender to our old sinful desires. With daily prayer, reading and applying God’s Word, the Bible, to our lives, and most importantly, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, we can, instead, surrender our will over to the Holy Spirit’s power within us to make the better choice of not giving into sin. This will take some practice over and over again, and we will still never be perfect on this side of Heaven. If we truly love Jesus, our goal will be to honor Him in our actions, thoughts, and every area of our lives. We must continue to draw on the Holy Spirit’s power to help us daily to be successful with this. The more we put this principle into practice, the easier it may become. Before you know it, that sin that you may have been struggling with for some time is no longer a struggle because you have surrendered that pull or desire to commit that sin to the Holy Spirit’s authority in your life. You now find that that sin no longer has its appeal to you.
- For example, say a Christian struggles with lying, and that Christian is aware of her sin but struggles with not yielding to it. As that believer continues to read the Bible regularly and to pray and ask God to help her stop lying, before she knows it, one day, when a situation arises that would typically have this person lie her way out of, instead, the Holy Spirit brings to her mind that to lie is disobedience to God. Because she wants to honor her Lord (Jesus), she decides to tell the truth at that moment. As she realizes how freeing it is always to tell the truth and to honor Jesus, little by little, the appeal to lie is no longer an issue for her.
- Sword of the Spirit: The Sword of the Spirit is The Word of God (Bible). Take Jesus’ example (Matthew 4:1-11) and use the Word of God to protect yourself against those temptations and lies from Satan. Remember what the Bible says in Isaiah 54:17 NLT, “…no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Now, with the belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword, you are fully equipped symbolically like a Roman Soldier but spiritually ready for battle against your enemy, Satan.
The Bible is filled with more wonderful tools to beat temptation: stay vigilant (1 Peter 5:8), absorb the Word of God (Psalm 119:11), and pray for deliverance (Matthew 26:41). Basically, the Bible is your spiritual self-defense class!
The Bible says in Hebrews 2:18 ESV, “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Remember, Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted because He’s already experienced temptation ( Note: He never yielded to temptation). We can and should come to Him for our help. At the moment that we realize that what we are about to do is wrong, this is the way out that the Bible speaks about in 1 Corinthians 10:13. We have the opportunity to choose not to give in to temptation.
What Is The Role of Repentance and Forgiveness in Overcoming Temptation?
Fear not if you stumble (spoiler alert: we all do)! Repent and ask God for forgiveness. Make a U-turn back to righteous living and receive God’s forgiveness. Be intentional about building and strengthening your prayer and Bible study life, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you apply the word of God to all areas of your life.
Paul reminds us in Romans 8:1 NLT, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Since our deliverance is through Jesus Christ, there is no condemnation (the expression of very strong disapproval or the action of condemning someone to a punishment (Hell)) for those who are in Christ Jesus due to their faith and identification with Him. PRAISE THE LORD! OUR GOD IS SO GRACIOUS!
If that was a lot to process, here’s a recap: biblically, temptation is an invitation to sin and a chance to grow. God doesn’t tempt but allows us to be tempted within our capacity to resist. When we understand temptation—its origins, purpose, and what the Bible says on dealing with it—we’re empowered in our faith walk.
Understanding temptation gives us the power to stand tall amidst challenges and live God-centered lives. God’s message on temptation is ultimately a call to moral and spiritual courage.
Ultimately, it all boils down to this: understanding temptation doesn’t make us prone to it; confronting it makes us wiser. Wisdom from the Word of God, the Holy Bible, equips us to overcome temptation.
God’s Word gives us a spiritual toolbox—vigilance, absorption of scripture, prayer, and reliance on God’s power—as ways to resist temptation. So, keep those tools handy, and don’t forget your toolbox at home!
Understanding temptation can supercharge your faith walk! It can allow you to anticipate, resist, and overcome temptation, leading to spiritual growth and a profound and dynamic relationship with God.
Until next time, remember to Seek Jesus 4 Life!
