Library Home>R.A. Torrey>The New Topical Textbook>Temptation. (#142458)

Temptation.

From: The New Topical Textbook

By: Reuben Archer Torrey

• 2 min. read • grade level: 10

God cannot be the subject of. James 1:13¹³Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13).

Does not come from God. James 1:13¹³Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13).

COMES FROM

Lusts. James 1:14¹⁴But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (James 1:14).

Covetousness. Prov. 28:20²⁰A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. (Proverbs 28:20). 1 Tim. 6:9, 10⁹But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:9‑10).

The devil is the author of. 1 Chron. 21:1¹And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1). Matt. 4:1¹Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4:1). John 13:2²And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; (John 13:2). 1 The. 3:5.

Evil associates, the instruments of. Prov. 1:10¹⁰My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. (Proverbs 1:10). Prov. 7:6⁶For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, (Proverbs 7:6). Prov. 16:29²⁹A violent man enticeth his neighbor, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. (Proverbs 16:29).

OFTEN ARISES THROUGH

Poverty. Prov. 30:9⁹Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. (Proverbs 30:9). Matt. 4:2, 3²And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. ³And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Matthew 4:2‑3).

Prosperity. Prov. 30:9⁹Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. (Proverbs 30:9). Matt. 4:8⁸Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; (Matthew 4:8).

Worldly glory. Num. 22:17¹⁷For I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. (Numbers 22:17). Dan. 4:30³⁰The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? (Daniel 4:30). Dan. 5:2²Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. (Daniel 5:2). Matt. 4:8⁸Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; (Matthew 4:8).

To distrust of God's providence. Matt. 4:3³And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Matthew 4:3).

To presumption. Matt. 4:6⁶And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Matthew 4:6).

To worshipping the god of this world. Matt. 4:9⁹And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Matthew 4:9).

Often strengthened by the perversion of God's word. Matt. 4:6⁶And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Matthew 4:6).

PERMITTED AS A TRIAL OF

Faith. 1 Peter 1:7⁷That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7). James 1:2, 3²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2‑3).

Disinterestedness. Job 1:9-12⁹Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? ¹⁰Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. ¹¹But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. ¹²And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:9‑12).

Always conformable to the nature of man. 1 Cor. 10:13¹³There 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. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Often ends in sin and perdition. 1 Tim. 6:9⁹But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy 6:9). James 1:15¹⁵Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:15).

CHRIST

Endured, from the devil. Mar. 1: 13.

Endured, from the wicked. Mat. 16:1. Matt. 22:18¹⁸But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? (Matthew 22:18). Luke 10:25²⁵And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 10:25).

Resisted by the word of God. Matt. 4:4, 7, 10⁴But 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. (Matthew 4:4)
⁷Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matthew 4:7)
¹⁰Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:10).

Overcame. Matt. 4:11¹¹Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (Matthew 4:11).

Sympathizes with those under. Heb. 4:15¹⁵For 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. (Hebrews 4:15).

Is able to succor those under. Heb. 2:18¹⁸For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18).

Intercedes for His people under. Luke 22:31, 32³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: ³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:31‑32). John 17:15¹⁵I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:15).

God will not suffer saints to be exposed to, beyond their powers to bear. 1 Cor. 10:13¹³There 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. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God will make a way for saints to escape out of. 1 Cor. 10:13¹³There 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. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God enables the saints to bear. 1 Cor. 10:13¹³There 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. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

God knows how to deliver saints out of. 2 Peter 2:9⁹The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Peter 2:9).

Christ keeps faithful saints from the hour of. Rev. 3:10¹⁰Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10).

Saints may be in heaviness through. 1 Peter 1:6⁶Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (1 Peter 1:6).

SAINTS SHOULD

Resist, in faith. Eph. 6:16¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:16). 1 Peter 5:9⁹Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:9).

Watch against. Matt. 26:41⁴¹Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41). 1 Pet. 5:8⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8).

Pray to be kept from. Matt. 6:13¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13). Matt. 26:41⁴¹Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41).

Not to occasion, to others. Rom. 14:13¹³Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (Romans 14:13).

Restore those overcome by. Gal. 6:1¹Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1).

Avoid the way of. Prov. 4:14, 15¹⁴Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. ¹⁵Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Proverbs 4:14‑15).

The devil will renew. Luke 4:13¹³And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. (Luke 4:13).

Has strength through the weakness of the flesh. Matt. 26:41⁴¹Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41).

Mere professors fall away in time of. Luke 8:13¹³They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13).

Blessedness of those who meet and overcome. James 1:2-4, 12²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ³Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:2‑4)
¹²Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12).

Exemplified. Eve, Gen. 3:1, 4, 5¹Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Genesis 3:1)
⁴And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: ⁵For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:4‑5). Joseph, Gen. 39:7⁷And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. (Genesis 39:7). Balaam, Num. 22:17¹⁷For I will promote thee unto very great honor, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people. (Numbers 22:17). Achan, Josh. 7:21²¹When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. (Joshua 7:21). David, 2 Sam. 11:2²And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. (2 Samuel 11:2). Jeroboam, 1 Kin. 15: 30. Peter, Mar. 14:67-71. Paul, 2 Cor. 12:7⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7), with Gal. 4:14¹⁴And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. (Galatians 4:14).

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.

Previous Article

The New Topical Textbook

• Sin-Offering.

• Sins, National.

• Spear, the.

• Stars, the.

• Steadfastness.

• Strangers in Israel.

• Swearing Falsely.

• Swearing, Profane.

• Sword, the.

• Synagogues.

• Tabernacle, the.

• Temple, the First.

• Temple, the Second.

• Temptation.

• Thanksgiving.

• Theocracy, the, or Immediate Government by God.