Temptation
Let us look at four definitions of the noun, temptation, and the verb, tempt, by Collins’ Dictionary:
- “If you feel you want to do something or have something, even though you know you really should avoid it, you can refer to this feeling as temptation.”
- Similarly, Colins further describes the verb, tempt: “Something that tempts you attracts you and makes you want it, even though it may be wrong or harmful.”
In your own words, provide some examples of what you consider to be temptation:
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Let us read the Bible together.
James 1: 13-18
13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. 17 Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. 18 By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the first-fruits of His creatures.
Many people in history have faced temptations of diverse types. Some were able to avoid it, and we need to emulate their strengths. Some fell into temptations, and we need to learn from their mistakes and avoid being victims.
Read the following Bible passages and discuss what you think about them.
| Luke 4: 3-4. Jesus’ temptation. | Who was being tempted here? Who is the tempter? What do you think about Jesus’ response to the temptation? |
| Genesis 37: 12 – 22. Joseph was hated by his brothers, but Reuben, one of his brothers, saved his life. | Joseph’s brothers committed a hate crime. What can we learn from this study as children of God? What do you learn from Reuben in the story? How would Joseph feel in that story? What should you do if you see someone’s life in danger? (Note: Seek safety first if you can, run away from the scene, then report it as soon as possible. |
| Genesis 3: 1-7. Disobedience to God! | Why did Eve believe the Serpent and disbelieve God? What did the Serpent stand to gain to have deceive Eve? Was Eve happy after yielding to the Serpent’s temptation? Discuss what Eve lost at the end, when she fell into the temptation? Eve listened to the Serpent, while Adam did not carefully check what Eve said, as contradictory to what God said. Did Adam escape God’s judgment? What lesson can we learn from disobedience to God and believing Satan or the Serpent? |
| Daniel 6: 1-23. Daniel was ordered to stop praying to God! Tempted, harassed, and pressured to stop praying. | Discuss this story and the lessons you can learn from it. Daniel was loved by the King due to his responsible lifestyle. His friends envied him and wanted the king also to hate him. A law was made just because of him, so he would not pray for 30 days. Daniel faced the temptation not to pray for 30 days. Did Daniel yield to that temptation? What lessons can we learn from Daniel’s Bible story? |
Answer the following questions with reference to the above Bible passages.
- What is temptation? Make a reference to the above Bible stories.
- How were the people tempted, and how did any of them overcome the temptations (Jesus, Daniel, Eve, Adam, etc.)?
- What lesson can we learn from the above Bible stories?
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- Another way to define tempt, tempting or temptation is to provoke someone by testing them (knowingly or unconsciously) to see their reaction. This is not good. The children of Israel, on many occasions, tempted the LORD God by disobeying Him, sometimes to see God’s reaction. They did not enjoy the punishment or discipline that followed.
This means that you can find yourself tempting/provoking other people to anger or wrong activities. This is not good. You can find yourself a victim being tempted by people, friends, or invisible Satan to want to do what is not good. This is not good; we must avoid being a problem to others.
- Temptation can be in the form of deceit or leading someone to a wrong action or behaviour.
Colins’ Dictionary says, “If you tempt someone, you offer them something they want to encourage them to do what you want them to do.”[1]
This is not right; it is called deceit. You should not do that.
Read the following Bible passages and discuss what you think about them.
| About Heaven, read Revelation 21:27. “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” | Discuss the lessons you have learnt from the Bible passage. |
| Proverbs 12:20. “Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!” | Discuss the lessons you have learnt from the Bible passage. |
| Mark 7:20-23. “20 Then Jesus said: What comes from your heart is what makes you unclean. 21Out of your heart come evil thoughts, vulgar deeds, stealing, murder, 22 unfaithfulness in marriage, greed, meanness, deceit, indecency, envy, insults, pride, and foolishness. 23 All of these come from your heart, and they are what make you unfit to worship God.” | Discuss the lessons you have learnt from the Bible passage. |
| 2 Corinthians 11:13. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.” | Discuss the lessons you have learnt from the Bible passage. |
Answer the following questions with reference to the above Bible passages.
- What did the people in the Bible do that made God upset with them?
- What should we avoid to keep other people safe?
- What lesson can we learn from the above Bible passages?
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The only time “tempt or tempting” is used positively is in a hilarious or joking manner in an open and non-intimidating conversation, like when you appreciate something in an open conversation, and you say it is tempting, such as smelling cake being baked in the kitchen and you claim that the smell is good (or it is tempting) in a jovial manner. On that occasion, everyone involved in the conversation knows you are joking and praising the baker, mum, or dad who is doing the baking, that you trust the cake will come out well from the good odour from the kitchen, speaking positively about the cake.
The word tempts, tempted or temptation on most occasions is negative, and we should avoid tempting others or being tempted by others to do evil. Avoid anyone or an older person who seems to act suspiciously, and you should report to your parents, group leader, or a responsible adult in a safe place.
Summarise what you have gained from this study: _____________________________________
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Prayer session/commitment:
LORD Jesus, I pray to help me distinguish the voice of the Holy Spirit from that of Satan, who wants to tempt me to disobey God. Let the word of God keep guiding me, to be a lamp to my feet and a lamp to my path, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.
[1] “Tempt” Collins Dictionary, https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/tempt> 04/02/2026.