"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" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Jesus was tempted yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 4:1), and He tells us to watch and pray (Matthew 26:41). Blessed is the one who endures temptation (James 1:12); God does not tempt anyone to evil (James 1:13-14).
Temptation is common to every believer—and Scripture faces it without shame or despair. These twelve King James passages focus on being tempted, enduring it, and taking God's way of escape. This page is not about lust specifically (see lust) or the habit of self-control in general (see self-control); it is about the moment of temptation and God's faithfulness in it.
God provides a way of escape
1. 1 Corinthians 10:13
"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."
Temptation is common; God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, and with the temptation He makes a way to escape. Look for the exit and take it.
2. 2 Peter 2:9
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:"
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations. Deliverance is something God knows how to do—ask Him for it.
3. Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Prayer and alertness are Jesus' prescription before the crisis.
4. Luke 22:40
"And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation."
Pray that ye enter not into temptation. Jesus repeated the call in Gethsemane. Temptation is fought on your knees before it is fought on your feet.
Jesus was tempted too
5. Matthew 4:1
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Being tempted is not the same as sinning; Jesus entered temptation's arena for us.
6. Hebrews 4:15
"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."
We have a high priest who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. You can come boldly to the throne; He understands the pull without having given in.
7. Hebrews 2:18
"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."
In that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Jesus' help for the tempted comes from experience.
8. James 1:13-14
"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: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. Temptation's pull comes when a person is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Own the desire; do not blame God.
Endure and fight with the Word
9. James 1:12
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life. Endurance under temptation is rewarded.
10. Psalms 119:11
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Memorized Scripture is a weapon in the moment, as Jesus showed in the wilderness.
11. Galatians 6:1
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Humility guards the helper from falling too.
12. Romans 6:12
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Temptation aims at reign; refuse to enthrone it.
A short prayer
Faithful God, You know how to deliver the godly out of temptation. When I am tempted, show me the way of escape and give me courage to take it. Jesus, You were tempted yet without sin; help me watch and pray. Hide Your word in my heart today. In Your name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about temptation?
God is faithful and provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Jesus was tempted yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Watch and pray (Matthew 26:41). God does not tempt anyone to evil (James 1:13).
Where does the Bible say God will make a way of escape?
1 Corinthians 10:13: God "will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Is being tempted a sin?
No. Jesus was tempted in all points yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Sin comes when desire conceives and is welcomed (James 1:14-15). See also our lust page for that specific struggle.
How do I resist temptation biblically?
Watch and pray (Matthew 26:41), hide God's word in your heart (Psalm 119:11), look for and take the escape God provides (1 Corinthians 10:13), and refuse to let sin reign (Romans 6:12).
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about self-control · Bible verses about lust · Bible verses about strength · Bible verses about prayer · Bible verses about forgiveness
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
