According to James 1:13–15, God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one: a person is tempted when drawn away and enticed by his own lust; then, when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul says that in the trial that came upon the Corinthians, God is faithful and provides a way out so that they can endure it. Jesus was tempted in every way except sin; Scripture calls us to watch and pray, submit to God, and resist the devil.
What the Bible Says About This
- James writes that in temptation we must not say, “God is tempting me”; God cannot be tempted by evil and Himself tempts no one, while a person is tempted when drawn away and enticed by his own lust; then, when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin (James 1:13–15).
- Paul tells the Corinthians that the trial they experienced was common to humanity; God is faithful, will not allow them to be tested beyond their strength, and with the trial will provide a way out so that they can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). These words concern the trial mentioned in this passage, not a promise about every difficulty in life.
- Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin; we can approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find help (Hebrews 4:15–16).
- Jesus tells the disciples to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41); James calls us to submit to God and resist the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7).
- Matthew 4:1–11 tells how Jesus answered the tempter with the words of Scripture; this is an example from the narrative, not a formula that works by itself.
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; Scripture quotations are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
6 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
James 1:13–15
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me,” because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when drawn away and enticed by his own desire; 15 then desire, having conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when fully grown, gives birth to death.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation He will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it.
Hebrews 4:15–16
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who, like us, was tempted in every way, yet without sin. 16 Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, so that you will not fall into temptation: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
James 4:7
Therefore submit to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Matthew 4:1–11
1 Then Jesus was led 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 Then the tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But He answered him, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down, for it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning You,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is also written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9 and said to Him, “All these I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
