Satan as tempter

Satan incites God’s people to evil

Satan exploits human weaknesses

Ge 3:1–5 Rev 12:9 identifies the serpent with Satan.

See also Job 2:4–5; Eph 4:26–27

He tempts Christians to fall away

1 Thessalonians 3:5 KJV 1900

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

See also Lk 22:31; 1 Ti 3:7; 2 Ti 2:26

He inspires people to put God to the test

Acts 5:3–9 KJV 1900

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

See also Ps 78:18; Ps 78:41; Ps 106:14; Ac 15:10; 1 Co 10:9

He makes sin attractive

Lack of integrity:

Mt 5:37; Ac 5:3

Sinful desires:

1 Co 7:5; 1 Ti 5:14–15

2 Co 2:10–11 unforgiveness; Jas 3:14–16 envy and selfish ambition

Jesus Christ is tempted by Satan

In the wilderness

Matthew 4:1–11 KJV 1900

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But 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. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And 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. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then 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. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Through Simon Peter

Matthew 16:23 KJV 1900

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Jesus Christ identifies with believers

Hebrews 4:15 KJV 1900

For 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.

See also Heb 2:8

Satan tests Christians

Revelation 2:10 KJV 1900

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

See also Lk 22:31; Re 3:10

Satan’s temptations can be resisted

By being alert

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

By prayer

Matthew 26:41 KJV 1900

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

See also Mt 6:13; Lk 22:32; Lk 22:46

By relying on God’s faithfulness

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV 1900

There 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.

See also 2 Pe 2:9; Re 3:10

By Jesus Christ’s service as high priest

Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15