Temptation can be a blessing in disguise, and it draws us closer to God, leads us to the path of righteousness, and straightens us out.
Temptation also reveals what is right and wrong, forcing us to face our mistakes and take responsibility for them.
It is a fact that most of the time, we face many temptations in our daily life. They can come in different shapes and forms, making it hard to resist them.
Bible Verses About Resisting Temptation
There are also times when the temptation is crushing us so hard that we feel like giving up entirely on God. The following 19 Bible verses will inspire you through your most challenging days and make you overcome any temptation you face.
Philippians 4:8 – Being truthful in whatever we find ourselves
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Most temptation believers faces come as the result of our needs. There are certain things we need as believers which are either contrary to God’s will or something that will easily take our lives.
And most of the time, when we pray about a particular thing we desire, the result isn’t showing forth. This is where the devil will always tempt us with those things knowing that is what our hearts want.
So as a believer, who wants to avert temptation from the devil who might lead us to destruction, we learn to let go of what God doesn’t want us to have and accept what God has for us.
Hosea 4:6 Knowledge is a great asset in overcoming temptation
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Hosea 4:6 (ESV)
Resisting temptation is resisting the devil because he is seen as the author of confusion in different ways; he uses worldly things to tempt us to distract us from the plan God installed for us.
Ignorant is one of the most significant problems men have, which the devil has used to destroy many lives, which involves being unaware of who we are in God and being ignorant of who the devil is.
We believers, who want to resist temptation, must have full knowledge of who we are in God and how valuable we are to God. This will help us have hope only in eternity and worldly things.
And also, knowing who satan is and his plan for humanity will make us flee from whoever he offers us, which might even be what our heart longs for.
1 Corinthians 7:2 – Marriage the key to abstain from sexual immorality
But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.
1 Corinthians 7:2 (ESV)
Sexual immorality is a sin against God and humanity; this is one of the enticing things satan uses to lure men to himself, making men go against God’s will.
This verse mainly refers to people who can’t control themselves toward sexual immorality. Here Paul is making it clear and loud that it is advisable that they get married, which will help them abide by the rules of God.
Hebrews 12:1- Sin can hinder us from accessing God thrown hereby leading us to be tempted
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)
This verse comes as a piece of advice to believers, in whatever we do as believers, we must always understand that people are watching our moves and actions.
This calls for us not to be ignorant of the enemy’s devices. The devil is always into putting mush stunts on believers by placing their needs in a worldly way.
In other, for us believers to overcome this temptation from the enemy, we must develop self-control over the things of the flesh, which will make us contented with whatever we have.
James 4:8 – The strength of God is required to avert temptations
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8 (ESV)
Even though we are believers, we still have no strength of ours. Since we have no power, we are advised to continually draw near God in prayers and supplications, making our requests known to God.
The temptation we face in life also comes as a result that we are not in close contact with God; this happens when we fail to walk by the rules of God.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – God is always giving us a way of escape when tempted
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
It should be understood that this verse doesn’t apply to all; it only works for those who listen to God’s word and abide by His commandment.
According to this passage, we should not panic about whatever game the devil is playing; we should know and believe that God is ever ready to deliver us from whatever temptation the devil plans.
Anyone who wants this verse to be established in them should understand God’s word, obey His commandments and act on them. With this, no temptation will approach them, and God will not give them a way of escape.
James 4:7 – Humility will help us overcome temptation
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 (ESV)
We are meant to understand that pride comes before the fall of any man. Anyone who wants God’s strength to overcome the tricks and temptations of the enemy should come to a place of submitting themselves to God to gain God’s presence, which will make the devil flee from them.
Galatians 5:16 – The spirit of God is a guide to overcome temptation
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
Carnality sometimes makes us face different temptation because the spirit, which is supposed to guide and direct us, is invincible, and the flesh in us make us meet many attractions.
As believers, we must walk in the guidance of the holy spirit, which will help our spirit man to detect the tricks and plans of the enemy, which sum up as temptation.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – Sexual immorality can make us fall to temptation
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV)
Most time, when the devil tries our faith with different temptations and can’t get us in his sight, he comes with the lure of sexual immorality, which he knows that’s the only sin against our body and which destroys us both physically and spiritually.
To overcome this trick of the enemy, Paul encouraged believers to get married, especially those who can’t control themselves since God blesses marriage from the beginning of creation.
As believers, we must have complete control of ourselves; this might happen not only in the angle of sexual immorality but in all areas of our lives.
Hebrews 2:18 – Christ is our source to overcome temptation.
For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:18 (ESV)
This is an encouraging verse to us believers. He has promised us in His word that no temptation can ever come our way without giving us a way of escape.
In this verse, He also assures us that since He overcame His temptation, in us believing in him, He will help us in any temptation we face in life and beyond.
Bible Verse About Overcoming Temptation
Even if we are Christians, we constantly face challenges that most of the time tempt our trust in God. These challenges include money, position, fame, sensuality, and love. I’m going to be talking to you about some realistic strategies for overcoming temptation.
Galatians 6:1- Being watchful can help overcome temptation
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Galatians 6:1(ESV)
This verse could be seen as a word given to those with the gift of deliverance; anytime restoration is done to those afflicted, those involved in the restoration should endeavor to watch over themselves so they won’t fall into the same temptation.
2 Peter 3:18 – The Grace of God helps us overcome temptation
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
As believers who want to over the temptation of the enemy, we must grow in Grace and knowledge of God, which will be the ability in our inability and strength in our weakness.
We should know that the knowledge of God is very important; it is what gives us the foreknowledge of evil plans.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
We are advised in this verse to be sober-minded and also be watchful. We must understand that the enemy can use anything or anyone to tempt us; that’s why we must become observant of our lives and indulge in our everyday activities.
As believers, we should never be ignorant of the enemy’s devices because he uses many strategies to lure men to himself. As believers, we must watch and pray at every moment.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
When believers leave everything in God’s hands, God gives them complete guidance and direction over the enemy’s plans.
God cares about those who call upon them in every situation of their lives, and when temptation comes, God gives them a way of escape because they are not in control of themselves but God.
Believers should understand that no amount of worries can add anything to their lives; instead, it gives the enemy room to bring in different ideas, which, most times, will make them derail from God’s presence.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
When the devil tries our faith frequently with various temptations and is unable to win us over, he usually resorts to the trick of sexual immorality because he is aware that this is the single sin against our bodies that can destroy our physical and spiritual well-being.
We should understand that God can not let us face any temptation that is beyond our ability, and we face no temptation as believers that God will not deliver us or give us a way of escape.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 (ESV)
A believer who wants to overcome temptation should develop that habit of praying. Jesus encourages believers always to pray and not to faint in the place of prayers.
Prayer is seen as the communication between God and man. When men communicate with God, God reveals the unseeable to them and guides them on what to do.
Remembering our lack of employment, financial difficulties, and all other types of fleshly tasks could deter us. Sometimes what we confront in life presents a challenge that discourages us instead of worrying. We must thus lay all of our worries on God because he cares.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 (ESV)
Submitting ourselves to God involves casting all our anxiety on Him and leaning on His ability. This shows we have no strength, and God will take the lead in our lives.
When God takes the lead in our lives, the devil will flee because the darkness has nothing to do with light.
Before the devil flees from our lives so that we might not be tempted again, this involves rejecting whatever is of him. be it firm or wealth, we are to leave them.
Jesus showed an example when the enemy tempted him, so we must follow in Jesus’s footsteps as believers.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 (ESV)
God’s mercy is sufficient unto all who seek him diligently. Sin is one of the tools satan uses to get men to dwell with him, and Satan does this by making us condemn ourselves to sin.
Many can’t go back to God because they feel God has abandoned them due to their sin against him; this is not true; God is always ready and willing to accept any who come to him.
As believers, we should understand that satan brings in all manner of temptation to us so that we might sin against God; this should make us not fall into their trap; we should always stand our ground and reject whatever he offers.
1 John 1:8-9
If we say we have no sin, we deceive
1 John 1:8-9(ESV)
According to the scripture, man’s righteousness is like a filthy rag in God’s eye, and we are to understand that there’s no perfection in humanity.
The devil often uses our past to play us to maintain our sin; satan tempts us by giving us those enticing stuff that is also part of our heart’s desire.
Self-righteousness is also one of the keys the devil uses to distract us; this is when men feel they’re so perfect and see others as sinners. This aspect gives us much pride, and pride always comes before the fall of any man.
Conclusion
Even as believers, the temptation will inevitably come our way. And if we cannot resist it, it can have a very negative impact on our lives. We are to depend on God for every temptation we face
The majority of temptations we face in life are tests of our faith in God and an indication of how much we trust him. These inspirational Bible passages will help us through the difficult and challenging situations we encounter in life.
