How Can Christians Find Hope When Facing Temptations?

Direct Answer

Yes—Christians can have real hope in temptation because God promises a way of escape and Christ has faced every category of temptation.

God is faithful and will not allow believers to be tempted beyond what they can bear, and with every temptation He provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Les Feldick explains that every temptation fits into one of three categories, and because Jesus experienced them all, believers can approach Him with confidence and trust the promise of escape.

Key Scriptures

1 Corinthians 10:13 — This verse directly promises that God will provide a way of escape with every temptation—the core reason Christians can have hope.

Hebrews 4:15 — It assures believers that Jesus was tempted in all points like us, making Him able to sympathize and giving confidence in temptation.

1 John 2:16 — It names the three categories of temptation that Les Feldick says cover every temptation a person can face.

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible promises that no temptation a believer faces is unique or beyond God's help. First Corinthians 10:13 says that God is faithful and will not suffer believers to be tempted above what they are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape so they may be able to bear it. Hebrews 4:15 assures believers that Jesus, as our high priest, was touched with the feeling of our infirmities and was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. First John 2:16 identifies the three things in the world that tempt us: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Hope in Temptation?

Les Feldick teaches that every temptation a believer faces falls into one of three categories: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). He shows this pattern from Eve's temptation and from Jesus' wilderness temptations, where Satan appealed to appetite, sight, and the desire for power. Because Jesus faced every category, He can be touched with our infirmities. Les then applies 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a promise: God is faithful, will not permit believers to be tempted beyond what they can bear, and will with the temptation make a way of escape. Les emphasizes that no temptation is unique—everyone faces the same common temptations—and that God reveals the escape at the appropriate time. He notes that Satan and the old Adam will both hit us, but God has made all provisions, so there is no need for us to fail, even though we do. At the same time, temptation can happen to anyone, so believers must be on guard constantly.

What Are the Three Categories of Temptation That Every Person Faces?

Les explains that every temptation can be placed into one of three categories: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Eve's temptation shows all three: it looked good for food, it appealed to the eye, and it offered the pride of being like God. The same pattern appears in Jesus' temptations, including Satan's offer of world power, which appealed to pride.

How Does Christ's Temptation Give Us Hope?

Because Jesus experienced every category of temptation, believers can be confident that He understands what they face. Les says this promise is based on the fact that Christ experienced every category of temptation that befalls us. Hebrews 4:15 describes our high priest as touched with the feeling of our infirmities, tempted in all points like us, yet without sin. This hope allows believers to hold fast their profession.

What Does It Mean That No Temptation Is Unique?

Les points to 1 Corinthians 10:13: no temptation has taken you but such as is common to man. A person cannot say they face a unique situation; Christ Himself faced the same categories. This promise also means temptation can happen to anybody, so believers must be on guard constantly.

What Should a Christian Do When Temptation Feels Overwhelming?

Les teaches that even when someone feels entrapped and thinks there is no escape, there is escape, and God will reveal it at the appropriate time. God is faithful and will with the temptation make a way to escape so that the believer may be able to bear it. Therefore there is no need for us to fail, even though we do; failure is not God's fault because He has made all provisions.

From the Teaching

The Pride of Power in Jesus' Temptation

Les shows the third category of temptation in action as Satan offers Jesus control of the world's kingdoms, appealing to pride and the quest for power.

The Promise of a Way of Escape

Les applies 1 Corinthians 10:13 directly: God is faithful to limit temptation and always makes a way of escape, so believers have no need to stumble.

God Reveals the Escape at the Right Time

Even when a person feels trapped with no way out, Les says God will reveal the escape at the appropriate time—the same temptations are common to everyone and Jesus faced them all.

Every Temptation Fits Three Categories

Les explains that all temptations fall into the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life, and that Jesus faced them all.

No Unique Temptations

Les teaches that no one can claim a unique trial—every temptation is common to man, and Christ has gone through the same categories.

The Lure of Flesh, Eyes, and Pride

Les warns that fleshly appetites, alluring sights, and pride can trip believers, and that pride especially keeps people from salvation.

Temptation Can Happen to Anybody

Les says believers must constantly be on guard because temptation can happen to anyone, then points to 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a great promise.

Power and Pride in Every Temptation

Les traces Eve's temptation to the desire to be like God, which is the same pride and hunger for power behind temptations today.

Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 10:13: 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.

This is the key promise that God always provides a way of escape and limits temptation to what a believer can bear.

Hebrews 4:15: 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.

This verse assures believers that Jesus understands their temptations because He experienced every category of temptation without sinning.

1 John 2:16: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

This verse identifies the three universal categories of temptation that Les Feldick says cover every temptation a person faces.

Matthew 4:8: 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;

Les references this verse to show how Satan appealed to pride and power when tempting Jesus—illustrating the third category of temptation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to resist temptation?

Yes. God promises that He will not allow believers to be tempted beyond what they can bear and that with every temptation He will make a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Les Feldick says this means there is no need for us to fail or stumble, even though we still do.

Why do temptations seem so strong and unique?

Les teaches that no temptation is unique—all are common to man and fall into three categories: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. Christ Himself faced every category, so believers can never say that no one has ever experienced what they are facing.

What should I do when I feel trapped by temptation?

Les says that even when someone feels there is no escape, God will reveal the way of escape at the appropriate time. The believer can trust God's faithfulness and look for the provision He has promised.

Did Jesus really face the same temptations I do?

Les explains that Jesus faced every category of temptation—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—so He can be touched with our infirmities. This is why believers can hold fast their profession with confidence.

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Source Video

Watch the Teaching: The Three Temptations Everyone Faces — Eve to Jesus Explained