10 Bible Verses about Resisting Temptation
Are you struggling with temptation? These Bible verses about Resisting Temptation can give you wisdom and guidance as you learn to overcome your struggle.
We all struggle. We all fall short of the glory of God. But when there’s a temptation that continues to cause hardship or hurt in your life (or the life of someone you love), then we need to turn to the power of God.
God wants the best for your life. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy or simple, but He does want to empower you with the ability to overcome struggles.
Reading scripture (along with the Holy Spirit inside of you) can teach you what to focus on and help you to grow in discipline. These are keys to resist temptation.
Continue reading below to overcome your struggles with the power of God and meditating on Bible verses about resisting temptaion.
Bible Verses about Temptation
Verses in the Bible about Resisting Temptation
Genesis 39:7-10
And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8 But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”
8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.
and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”
10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.
And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 10 And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.
Joseph’s story in Genesis is a powerful one. And he overcame the temptation.
It teaches that resisting temptation involves recognizing the trust placed in us, understanding the sin, considering the consequences, and taking steps to avoid situations that might lead to temptation.
Joseph’s example provides a powerful model of moral integrity and steadfastness in the face of persistent temptation.
Proverbs 4:14-15
Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
Don’t do as the wicked do,
and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way.
Turn away and keep moving.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.
15 Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
This important Proverb teaches that resisting temptation involves proactive and deliberate efforts to avoid paths and situations that lead to sin.
It encourages active rejection of any type of wickedness, and continuous vigilance to have moral integrity.
Reading Bible verses about resisting temptation show us what we can focus on.
Matthew 4:1-4
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
This example of resisting temptation in the book of Matthew is different from the previous verses because it’s about Jesus. We know that He lived a perfect life and never gave into sin, therefore He gives us the perfect example of how to avoid falling into temptation in this passage.
Here we learn that resisting temptation involves spiritual preparedness, awareness of our vulnerabilities, using Scripture as a defense, prioritizing spiritual needs over physical desires, and trusting in God’s provision.
Jesus’ example provides a powerful model for how to effectively resist temptation through reliance on God and His Word.
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.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 a way out so that you can endure it.
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.
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.
Temptation is a common human experience. We can rely on God’s faithfulness, trusting that God limits the temptations we face to what we can handle.
When we are in tempting situations, we can look for the way out that God provides.
This verse offers hope and practical guidance, assuring believers that with God’s help, they can overcome temptation.
James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
This Bible verse about resisting temptation from James teaches us that we must first submitt to God’s authority and align ourselves with His will.
With this foundation, believers are empowered to actively resist the devil.
The verse assures that such resistance, grounded in submission to God, will result in the devil fleeing, providing a promise of victory over temptation.
1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Resisting temptation requires sobriety, vigilance, awareness of the devil’s threats, active resistance, and a firm foundation in faith.
Additionally, recognizing that other believers face similar challenges can provide encouragement and a sense of solidarity in the struggle against temptation.
This passage encourages believers to remain alert, stand firm in their faith, and resist the devil with confidence and determination.
Hebrews 4:15-16
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.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
If you feel like Jesus is distant, we can read this Bible verse about temptation to remember that He has sympathy and understanding of our struggles.
Drawing confidence from His sinlessness, we can boldly approach God to receive the mercy and grace needed to overcome temptation.
These verses encourage believers to rely on Jesus’ example and to seek God’s help with confidence, knowing that He is both compassionate and powerful.
Romans 6:12-14
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:12-14 teaches that resisting temptation involves rejecting sin’s control, actively refusing to use our bodies for unrighteous purposes, dedicating ourselves to God and His righteousness, and relying on the power of God’s grace.
This passage encourages believers to live out their new identity in Christ, empowered by grace to overcome the dominion of sin.
Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
The Lord’s Prayer teaches directly on resisting temptation. Resisting temptation involves dependence on God and proactive prayer for guidance and protection.
This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking Jesus in the ongoing struggle against sin and evil.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
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.
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.
By focusing on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy, you can strengthen your resolve to resist temptation and align your thoughts with God’s standards.
Which verse was your favorite for Bible Verses about Resisting Temptation?
