Q: #598. In the Bible, who was tempted to sin by another person, or by Satan, and said "NO!" to that temptation?
A: The Bible is filled with people who gave into temptation, and sinned when tempted by another person, or by Satan. Examples from Adam & Eve, Abraham, Moses, Samson, David, Solomon, Peter, etc… are well-known. However, what about those who resisted that temptation, and did not fall into sin. Following, I am going to list those I found who said “NO!”
***Note: I am only listing people who were “directly” tempted by a person (or Satan) to sin, and that person refused to give into that temptation.
Here we go!
(Gen 14:21-24) – Abraham refused the spoils of war that the king of Sodom offered to him.
(Gen 39:6-13) – Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife to sleep with her, and Joseph “fled” from her.
(1 Sam Ch. 24) – David’s men urged David to kill King Saul (1 Sam 24:4-7, 10), but David refused to kill “the Lord’s anointed.”
(Heb 11:24-27)(NKJV) “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, (25) choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, (26) esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
(Job 2:9-10) – Job’s wife told Job to “Curse God and die!” Job refused to do so.
(Est 1:10-12) – In a state of drunkenness, King Xerxes called for Queen Vashti to come and “show her beauty to the people and the officials” (likely showing off her body). She refused.
(Est 4:1-17) Queen Esther did not give into the temptation to save her life by remaining silent, and instead went to the king (when he hadn’t called for her) to attempt to save the lives of her people the Jews (saying, “if I perish, I perish”).
(Dan 1:8) “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank…”
(Dan 3:1-30) – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to “fall down and worship” the golden image (90′ tall / 9′ wide) that King Nebuchadnezzar had made of himself.
(Dan 6:1-10) – Daniel refused to obey the king’s edict to stop praying to God.
(Mt 4:1-11)(Mk 1:12-13)(Lk 4:1-13) – While in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan 3 times to sin, and He refused, rebuking him with Scripture (“It is written”).
If you can find other examples of people who said “NO” when tempted, please let me know in the comments below.
Related:
How can I overcome temptation?
What does “lead us not into temptation” mean in the Lord’s Prayer (Mt 6:13)?