What Does the Bible Say About Avoiding Temptation?

James 4:7 ESV / 105 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Matthew 26:41 ESV / 97 helpful votes

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 94 helpful votes

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.

Ephesians 5:11 ESV / 88 helpful votes

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Romans 13:14 ESV / 81 helpful votes

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

James 1:12-16 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV / 55 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ...

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 49 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Ephesians 6:10 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

1 John 5:3 ESV / 39 helpful votes

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

Romans 6:1-23 ESV / 24 helpful votes

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ...

1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

1 John 1:8-9 ESV / 21 helpful votes

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 15 helpful votes

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.

James 1:1-27 ESV / 14 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

Matthew 6:13 ESV / 14 helpful votes

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Matthew 16:24 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Pray without ceasing,

Romans 10:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

1 Timothy 2:9-15 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; ...

James 5:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 1:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

John 3:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

3 John 1:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

Psalm 26:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.

James 5:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Haggai 1:1-15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. ...

Psalm 119:9-11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

1 Peter 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

Hebrews 10:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Ephesians 6:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Ephesians 3:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Ephesians 3:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

John 3:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

Matthew 26:1-75 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” ...

Matthew 19:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”

Matthew 15:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

Matthew 4:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple ...

Proverbs 15:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

53 Bible Verses about Avoiding Temptation

James 4:7 ESV / 105 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 26:41 ESV / 97 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 94 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:11 ESV / 88 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:14 ESV / 81 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:12-16 ESV / 69 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV / 55 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 50 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 49 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:10 ESV / 43 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:3 ESV / 39 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:1-23 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:8-9 ESV / 21 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:1-27 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:13 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 16:24 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:9-15 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

3 John 1:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 26:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Haggai 1:1-15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:9-11 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 3:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 3:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 26:1-75 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 4:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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