Bible Verses of the Week

Temptation

⁴¹ Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” (NLT, Matthew 26:41)

⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (NRSV, 1 Timothy 6:9–10)

⁶ So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. ⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (NLT, 1 Peter 1:6–7)

¹² So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³ 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. (NIV, 1 Corinthians 10:12–13)

The modern world is full of temptation. Radio, TV, magazines, movies and the internet encourage us to put our selfish desires for money, possessions, sex, power, pleasure, revenge, fame, or status ahead of obedience to God and the needs of other people.

Temptations are a test of our commitment to God. Even though we are tempted, the Bible says we can resist with prayer and determination. For more information: What Does the Bible Say About Christian Values and Christian Life?, What Does the Bible Say About Prayer?