Sources of Temptation

Temptation arising from sinful human nature

English Standard Version Chapter 2

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

See also Mt 5:29–30; Mt 6:23; Ro 7:18–23

Temptation from other people

2 Peter 2:18 ESV

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

See also Ge 3:6; Pr 5:3–6

Temptation from Satan

Genesis 3:1 ESV

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

See also 1 Ch 21:1; Mt 4:1; Mk 4:15; 1 Co 7:5; 1 Th 3:5

Temptation from the world

1 John 2:16 ESV

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

See also Mt 13:22

Attractions which lead to temptation

Money

1 Timothy 6:9–10 ESV

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Power

See also Dt 8:17–18; 2 Ch 26:16

Lust

Pr 6:25; Pr 7:21

Pride

Proverbs 11:2 ESV

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

Temptation does not come from God

James 1:13 ESV

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.

See also Mt 6:13