Temptation, universality of

Scripture makes clear that all human beings are subject to temptation. It provides examples of individuals who have faced and yielded to such influences.

The inevitability of temptation to do wrong

1 Corinthians 10:13 See also Proverbs 7:21–23; Matthew 13:20–21 parallels Mark 4:16–17, Luke 8:13; Luke 17:1; Romans 7:15; 1 Corinthians 10:12; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 1:6

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

Examples of those who were tempted

Adam and Eve tempted

Genesis 3:6–7 Sin enters the world through temptation, which leads to the fall of humanity.

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves.

Esau tempted

See also Genesis 25:29–34

Achan tempted

Joshua 7:21

Samson tempted

Judges 14:16–17

David tempted

2 Samuel 11:2–4

Solomon tempted

1 Kings 11:1, 1 Kings 11:4

Gehazi tempted

2 Kings 5:20–23

Peter tempted

Matthew 26:69–75 parallels Luke 22:55–62, John 18:16–18, John 18:25–27

Help for those facing temptation

Romans 8:31 See also Joshua 1:5; Romans 8:37–39; Hebrews 4:15–16, Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 2:1, 1 John 4:4; Revelation 3:10

What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?