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The Universality of Human Temptation and Struggle in Scripture

The universality of human temptation and struggle is a pervasive theme throughout Scripture, reflecting the shared experience of humanity since the Fall. This struggle is not an anomaly but a fundamental aspect of the human condition, affecting all individuals regardless of their spiritual state [5, 8].

The origin of this universal struggle is rooted in the disobedience of Adam, which introduced sin into the world [3]. As a result, humanity is born "in sin" and is described as "a child of wrath," with hearts that are "evil," "blinded," "corrupt," and "depraved" [3]. This inherent corruption necessitates a "new birth" for anyone to enter heaven, a transformation effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit through the Word of God [7].

Temptation, a key component of this struggle, is defined in two primary ways in biblical understanding. First, it can mean a "trial" or a "test," where one's faith and patience are put to the test, as when God "proved" Abraham [2]. Afflictions are also understood as a form of temptation in this sense [2, 14]. Second, and more commonly, temptation refers to a "solicitation to that which is evil" [2]. In this context, Satan is identified as "the tempter" [2].

Scripture clarifies that God cannot be the subject of temptation, nor does temptation originate from Him [1]. Instead, it arises from human lusts and covetousness [1]. The devil is explicitly named as the author of temptation, as seen in his temptation of Christ and his influence on Judas [1]. Evil associates can also serve as instruments of temptation [1]. Temptation can be exacerbated by various life circumstances, including poverty, prosperity, and the pursuit of worldly glory [1]. Specific temptations mentioned include distrusting God's providence, presumption, and worshipping worldly idols [1].

The Apostle Paul directly addresses the universality of temptation in 1 Corinthians 10:13, stating, "No temptation has taken you except what is common to man" [5, 8]. This verse offers both a sobering reality and a profound comfort: the struggles faced are not unique or insurmountable. It also provides assurance that "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" [5, 8]. This promise highlights God's long-suffering and His provision for His people [6]. John Chrysostom emphasizes this, noting that if believers are "sober and watchful" and "beseech God that He would not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able," they will "stand nobly" against their enemy [12]. He further states that with God as helper, even violent temptations become like "chaff and a leaf" [12].

Even Christ, in His human nature, experienced temptation and struggle [4]. His human nature was essential for His mediatorial office, allowing Him to partake of flesh and blood, experience hunger, thirst, weariness, and sorrow [4]. He was tempted in the wilderness, not internally, but by a "real, active, subtle being" [2]. This experience of suffering and temptation enables Him to empathize with and succor those who are afflicted [9, 11]. Adam Clarke explains that Christ's suffering disposed Him to compassion, allowing Him to "feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried" [9]. John Gill adds that Christ's temptations, though not stirring up sin in Him, were "troublesome, and disagreeable, and abhorrent to the pure and holy nature of Christ," thus constituting a form of suffering [11].

The prayer "lead us not into temptation" from the Lord's Prayer reflects an ancient understanding of this struggle [10]. John Gill notes that this petition was common among Jews, who prayed not to be led "into the hands of temptation," meaning not to be overcome by it [10]. This prayer is not against temptation itself, which can be "needful and useful," but against its power to overcome and destroy [10].

The biblical narrative consistently portrays human beings as prone to trouble and affliction [15]. This is considered "the common lot of all men," particularly for God's people, who face unique struggles arising from indwelling sin, Satan's temptations, and even the "hidings of God's face" [15]. These troubles, though difficult, are often seen as "needful and for their good" [15]. The universality of this struggle underscores the need for divine intervention and grace. As John Chrysostom notes, while some may be overcome by terrors, this is due to their "own remissness" rather than the nature of temptation itself, and God "with the temptation maketh also an escape" [13].

The struggle against temptation and sin is an ongoing reality for believers, but it is met with divine faithfulness and provision. The recognition that "no temptation has taken you except what is common to man" [5, 8] fosters a sense of solidarity among believers and points to the shared human experience of striving against evil.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Temptation — God cannot be the subject of -- Jas 1:13. Does not come from God -- Jas 1:13. Comes from Lusts. -- Jas 1:14. Covetousness. -- Pr 28:20; 1Ti 6:9,10. The devil is the author of -- 1Ch 21:1; Mt 4:1; Joh 13:2; 1Th 3:5. Evil associates, the instruments of -- Pr 1:10; 7:6; 16:29. Often arises through Poverty. -- Pr 30:9; Mt 4:2,3. Prosperity. -- Pr 30:9; Mt 4:8. Worldly glory. -- Nu 22:17; Da 4:30; 5:2; Mt 4:8. To distrust of God's providence -- Mt 4:3. To presumption -- Mt 4:6. To worshipping the god of this world -- Mt 4:9. Often strengthened by the perversi”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Temptation — (1.) Trial; a being put to the test. Thus God "tempted [Gen. 22: 1; R.V., did prove'] Abraham;" and afflictions are said to tempt, i.e., to try, men (James 1:2, 12; comp. Deut. 8:2), putting their faith and patience to the test. (2.) Ordinarily, however, the word means solicitation to that which is evil, and hence Satan is called "the tempter" (Matt. 4:3). Our Lord was in this way tempted in the wilderness. That temptation was not internal, but by a real, active, subtle being. It was not self-sought. It was submitted to as an act of obedience on his part”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fall of Man, The — By the disobedience of Adam -- Ge 3:6,11,12; Ro 5:12,15,19. Through temptation of the devil -- Ge 3:1-5; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14. Man in consequence of Made in the image of Adam. -- Ge 5:3; 1Co 15:48,49. Born in sin. -- Job 15:14; 25:4; Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8; Joh 3:6. A child of wrath. -- Eph 2:3. Evil in heart. -- Ge 6:5; 8:21; Jer 16:12; Mt 15:19. Blinded in heart. -- Eph 4:18. Corrupt and perverse in his ways. -- Ge 6:12; Ps 10:5; Ro 3:12-16. Depraved in mind. -- Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21; Tit 1:15. Without understanding. -- Ps 14:2,3; Ro 3:11; 1:31. ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
  5. 1 Corinthians “No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. -- 1 Corinthians 10:13”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: New Birth, The — The corruption of human nature requires -- Joh 3:6; Ro 8:7,8. None can enter heaven without -- Joh 3:3. Effected by God. -- Joh 1:13; 1Pe 1:3. Christ. -- 1Jo 2:29. The Holy Spirit. -- Joh 3:6; Tit 3:5. Through the instrumentality of The word of God. -- Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. The resurrection of Christ. -- 1Pe 1:3. The ministry of the gospel. -- 1Co 4:15. Is of the will of God -- Jas 1:18. Is of the mercy of God -- Tit 3:5. Is for the glory of God -- Isa 43:7. Described as A new creation. -- 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15; Eph 2:10. Newness of life. -- Ro 6:4. A spir”
  8. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 10:13 (LEB) — Temptation has not come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will also make a way out together with the temptation, so that you may be able to endure it.”
  9. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered - The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it was necessary that Jesus Christ should partake of human nature, exposed to trials, persecutions, and various sufferings, that he might the better feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried. This sentiment is well expressed by a Roman poet: - Me quoque per multas s”
  10. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 6:13: And lead us not into temptation,.... Such a petition as this is often to be observed in the prayers of the Jews (a), , "do not lead me" neither into sin, nor into transgression and iniquity, , "nor into temptation", or "into the hands of temptation";'' that is, into the power of it, so as to be overcome by it, and sink under it; in which sense the phrase is to be understood here. We are not here taught to pray against temptations at all, or in any sense, for they are sometimes needful and useful; but that they may not have the power over us, and destroy us. There”
  11. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 2:17: For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,.... By Satan, at his entrance on his public ministry, and a little before his death; which was done, not by stirring up sin in him, for he had none, nor by putting any into him, which could not be done, nor could Satan get any advantage over him; he solicited him one thing and another, but in vain; though these temptations were very troublesome, and disagreeable, and abhorrent to the pure and holy nature of Christ, and so must be reckoned among his sufferings, or things by which he suffered: and as afflictions are s”
  12. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: If we are sober and watchful, if we beseech God that He would not “suffer us to be tempted above that we are able” ( 1 Cor. x. 13 ), if we always hold fast to Him, we shall stand nobly, and set ourselves against our enemy. So long as we have Him for our helper, though temptations blow more violently than all the winds, they will be to us as chaff and a leaf borne lightly along. Hear Paul saying, “In all these things” (are his words) “we are more than conquerors.” ( Rom. viii. 37 .) And again, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time ar”
  13. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: a good report, said to His disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ( John xvi. 33 .) What then, they will say, Have not many been turned to flight by these terrors? Yes, but that was not of the nature of temptation, but of their own remissness. But He that “with the temptation maketh also an escape, so that ye may be able to bear it” ( 1 Cor. x. 13 ), may He stand by all of us, and reach forth His hand, that being gloriously proclaimed victorious we may attain to the everlasting crowns, th”
  14. James (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on James 1:2: We now come to consider the matter of this epistle. In this paragraph we have the following things to be observed: - I. The suffering state of Christians in this world is represented, and that in a very instructive manner, if we attend to what is plainly and necessarily implied, together with what is fully expressed. 1. It is implied that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best Christians, even of those who have the most reason to think and hope well of themselves. Such as have a title to the greatest joy may yet endure very grievous afflictions. As goo”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 60:11: Give us help from trouble,.... To have trouble is the common lot of all men, but especially of the people of God. They have some troubles which others have not, arising from indwelling sin, Satan's temptations, and the hidings of God's face; and as for outward troubles, they have generally the greatest share of them, which are certain to them by the appointment of God, and the legacy of Christ; though they are needful and for their good, and lie in their way to heaven. But perhaps here is particularly meant the time of trouble, which will be a little before the destr”
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