Topical Bible: The Devil: Saints: Tempted By

◄ The Devil: Saints: Tempted By ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Devil, also known as Satan, is depicted in the Bible as the adversary of God and His people. One of his primary roles is that of the tempter, seeking to lead the faithful away from righteousness and into sin. Throughout Scripture, several saints and key figures are recorded as having been tempted by the Devil, serving as both warnings and lessons for believers.

Jesus Christ

The most notable account of temptation by the Devil is that of Jesus Christ Himself. After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasted for forty days and nights. During this time, the Devil approached Him with three temptations. The first was to turn stones into bread to satisfy His hunger, to which Jesus replied, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4). The second temptation was to throw Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple, challenging God to save Him, but Jesus responded, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test'" (Matthew 4:7). The final temptation was to worship Satan in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world, to which Jesus firmly declared, "Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only'" (Matthew 4:10). Jesus' resistance to these temptations underscores His sinless nature and His reliance on Scripture to combat the Devil's schemes.

Job

The Book of Job provides another profound example of the Devil's role as a tempter. Job, described as "blameless and upright," was subjected to severe trials instigated by Satan, who challenged Job's faithfulness to God. The Devil was permitted to take away Job's wealth, children, and health, yet Job remained steadfast in his faith, famously declaring, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15). Job's account illustrates the Devil's desire to undermine the faith of the righteous and the power of unwavering trust in God.

David

King David, a man after God's own heart, also faced temptation from the Devil. In 1 Chronicles 21:1, it is recorded that "Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel." This act of counting the people was seen as a demonstration of pride and reliance on military strength rather than on God. David's subsequent repentance and acknowledgment of his sin highlight the importance of humility and dependence on God, even for those who are deeply devoted to Him.

Peter

The Apostle Peter experienced direct temptation from Satan, as Jesus Himself warned him. In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus said, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers" . Despite his initial denial of Christ, Peter's restoration and leadership in the early church demonstrate the possibility of redemption and the sustaining power of Christ's intercession.

Paul

The Apostle Paul, a pivotal figure in the early church, also encountered the Devil's attempts to thwart his ministry. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul refers to a "thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me," which he understood as a means to keep him humble and reliant on God's grace. Paul's experience serves as a reminder of the Devil's persistent efforts to hinder God's work and the sufficiency of divine grace in overcoming such challenges.

These biblical accounts of saints tempted by the Devil provide valuable insights into the nature of temptation and the spiritual warfare faced by believers. They emphasize the importance of Scripture, faith, humility, and reliance on God's strength to resist the Devil's schemes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 21:1
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Thessalonians 3:5
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 labor be in vain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Satan Considering the Saints
... made with honey"you will never be tempted without express ... If you want to make the
devil angry, throw ... how many saints have been comforted in their distress by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/satan considering the saints.htm

Letter iii. --The State of one Tempted.
... certain is the verdict in favour of the person tempted. ... produced, reject them as
coming from the devil who is ... same miseries enabled a crowd of saints of both ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter iii the state of one.htm

All Saints' Day, or St Ursula's Day
... THE INNER WAY SERMON XXVII All Saints' Day, or St Ursula's ... sin, so that he may not
give place to the Devil. ... good, he is thankful; if he is tempted, he fights ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxvii all saints day.htm

An Exposition of Luke xxii. 46, Etc.
... of all indeed is this world a scene of pain to the saints, to whom ... Spirit, not indeed
to enter into temptation, but "to be tempted of the devil." [1018] And ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/iv an exposition of luke xxii.htm

Psalm LXI.
... flood, rain, when Christ of the devil was being tempted. ... never to that tower will
the devil's darts follow ... reigneth in His Church, but the Saints shall reign ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxi.htm

Temptation
All Saints' Day and Other Sermons. ... us when we are tempted, seeing that He was tempted
in like ... God Himself, to fall down and worship the devil, seems perfectly ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon vii temptation.htm

Letter vi. --Difficulties.
... These trials of which you complain were valued and sought for by the saints with
eagerness, because they ... The devil has always tempted you, made you ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter vi difficulties.htm

The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints' Rest.
... and will one day justify the diligence of the saints. ... I had rather be reproached
by the devil for seeking ... he fasted forty days, was tempted, betrayed, spit upon ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vii the necessity of.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... which thou shalt suffer; behold, the devil shall cast ... under circumstances where they
are tempted to selfishness ... renders it certain, that the saints will always ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

On the Opposing Powers.
... of the devil:" [2539] pointing out that the saints have to ... even without any incitement
from the devil, if we ... flesh, and not capable of being tempted by greater ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter ii on the opposing powers.htm