Was Jesus Tempted to Sin?

[sheep wrecked]

I have heard the concept lately that Jesus just resisted temptation perfectly, and was tempted to sin just like we are. Some of those who say this also agree that Jesus is God. Can God be tempted to sin?

What are your thoughts on this?

[YYZ Skinhead]

Is this concept coming from some "neo-christian" group, church, writer, etc.?

The Bible says that we have a High Priest (Jesus) Who was in all ways tempted as we are, and that Satan tried to tempt Jesus to worship him and Jesus told Satan "You shall not tempt the Lord your God". Certainly He was tempted since He had a natural Body, but He didn't sin because the Lamb had to be without blemish.

[LindaR]

I don't believe that the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted to sin. Because Jesus Christ is God and had no sin nature in His incarnation, He could not be tempted to sin:

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13)

The temptation of the Lord by Satan was more like "testing". The Greek word for "tempted" in Matthew 4:1 is peirazo which also means (from Strongs):

Strong's Greek Dictionary
3985. peirazo pi-rad'-zo
from 3984; to test (objectively), i.e. endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline:--assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try

[sheep wrecked]

I was in a discussion recently with a woman who insisted that Jesus was tempted to lust after a woman, lie, cheat, steal, etc. It really shocked me that someone would think He could be tempted to sin, but "resisted every time". If He is God, it seems a rather obvious "oxymoron". He is incapable of sin

This text came up in the discussion - so I am hoping for some input on it - what do y'all think?

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 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.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

[Vic]

I have been pondering this for awhile. Jesus was tempted in all points but did not sin.

When we become new in Christ we are a new creature, but still capable of sin. But I can't help but think that as we grow in Christ, the attitude towards the things of sin is changed and the draw to do the things of sin has been changed. Some would likely be able to put their finger on some very specific attitudes or behaviors that they recognise as being sin from before knowing Christ and now they are not drawn to doing those things. We can still recognise them as sins, but it is an attitude and heart and mind decision to not even be interested in them

I think that is Christ working in our lives. And I think the parallel is that He was never drawn to do the sins, even though He was aware of them. It doesn't mean we are perfect or don't fail when tempted at times. But our attitude and desires have changed, which results in not deliberately sinning or seeking things for ourselves, but rather, trying to please God and serve Christ and do things for His honor and glory. He was the example of sinless perfection in attitude and deed. That's why it says He was tempted/tested in all points--yet He did not sin.

[Peter]

There is a silent attitude at work in the Body of Christ that goes something like this: "If I can't understand a certain thing, it must not exist."

Someone once said that the only barrier to learning is the presumption that you already know. If the Scriptures say that Jesus was tempted (Matt 4; Heb 4; etc...) but you can not reconcile that with the fact that God can not sin, does that mean Jesus was not tempted??? Of course not. Jesus WAS tempted and DID endure temptations of the flesh. How can we know? Because it says so in the Scriptures!

I have no trouble at all reconciling that with what I know about God. However, if you are having trouble with it, Rejoice! because the Holy Spirit will teach you how to reconcile it.

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26.

"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." Matthew 23:8

"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jeremiah 31:34