Attraction to the female body is a natural, God-given desire, so it’s natural for you to find a girl’s beauty tugging at your eyes for attention. You’ll be tempted in many wrong ways, however, to play with these natural desires and attractions. Obviously, stripping off her clothes in the basement at the after-game party is a wrong way, but it’s just as wrong to stare lustfully at her and fantasize in your mind. Neither practice is any more pure than the other.
—adapted from Every Young Man’s Battle
Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then the Devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread.”
MATTHEW 4:1–3, NLT
And remember, when someone wants to do wrong it is never God who is tempting him, for God never wants to do wrong and never tempts anyone else to do it. Temptation is the pull of man’s own evil thoughts and wishes. These evil thoughts lead to evil actions and afterwards to the death penalty from God. So don’t be misled, dear brothers.
JAMES 1:13–16, TLB
That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the Tempter had gotten the best of you and that all our work had been useless.
1 THESSALONIANS 3:5, NLT
But I am frightened, fearing that in some way you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to our Lord, just as Eve was deceived by Satan in the Garden of Eden.
2 CORINTHIANS 11:3, TLB
We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:4–5, NLT
But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:13, NLT
If young toughs tell you, “Come and join us”—turn your back on them!
PROVERBS 1:10, TLB
The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.
PROVERBS 18:10, NKJV
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
ROMANS 12:21, RSV
Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God’s grace.
ROMANS 6:14, NLT
When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
LUKE 22:40, NKJV
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
MARK 14:38, NKJV
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
GALATIANS 6:1, RSV
Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too.
1 PETER 5:8–9, TLB
A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
EPHESIANS 6:10–18, NLT
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
JAMES 4:7, KJV