Bible Verses for Teenage Problems & Temptations (cont.)
6. Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
This is the perfect follow-up for Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. Jesus is proof that God will show us a way out. He is living out the promises of Scripture that we are not alone and that we can resist temptation when we lean into God’s strength.
7. Galatians 6:1
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
We live in a culture that is very accepting of sin. In fact, we’re told that if we don’t accept a wide variety of sins, then we are closed-minded and unloving. But really, the opposite is true.
This verse isn’t demanding that we condemn each other, beating people down or berating them for their sin. On the contrary, it is encouraging us to restore that person gently. It’s okay to call a sin a sin. Ignoring the severity of a situation doesn’t do anyone any favors. But gentleness and restoration are key in the process.
And this is another important reminder to be watchful. When we get close to another person’s sin, it’s possible to be lured in ourselves.
The temptation to minimize, rationalize, and point the finger of blame to someone or something else when it comes to sin is always there. So keep your eyes wide open and fight hard against it!
8. Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
You know those cartoons where the character has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other? I feel that so often, that battle in my soul.
Both characters have a voice in my head, but they’re in conflict with each other. “You are not to do whatever you want.”
Those words really stick with me. In our society, doing what we want when we want has become a “human right.” So denying ourselves momentary desires has been labeled as cruel. But God has a bigger plan for us than those momentary desires. He has a bigger purpose than us just simply pursuing what feels good.
And that plan involves us telling that alluring devil voice to hush and intentionally choosing to walk in the Spirit in those moments of temptation. That’s why these Bible verses about teenage problems like temptation are so important.
9. James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
This verse in James goes along with the last Scripture from Galatians. When we resist the devil, he will flee.
We are children of God. It’s not a one-time choice to follow Christ and surrender ourselves to our Savior. It’s a choice we make again and again, every single day, every time temptation creeps in.
10. Hebrews 2:14-15
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
This is where the best news comes in. It’s great that we have Someone who can understand what we’re going through. But the best part? He is also our Savior, who cut off the power of the devil in our lives. Because of Jesus, we are free to choose what’s right in the face of temptation and able to overcome it.
This isn’t a matter of willpower or personal strength. It’s a matter of Who you serve. We have a God who can take away the fear the devil uses when he tempts us (fear of not having enough, fear of not being enough, etc.).
