Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and NatureTempting, in the biblical context, refers to the act of enticing or provoking someone to sin or to test their faithfulness to God. It is often associated with the work of Satan, who seeks to lead believers away from righteousness. Temptation can also be a trial or test permitted by God to strengthen faith and character.
Biblical Instances1.
The Temptation of Eve: The first instance of temptation in the Bible occurs in
Genesis 3:1-6, where the serpent tempts Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The serpent's cunning words lead Eve to question God's command, resulting in the fall of humanity.
2.
The Temptation of Jesus: In the New Testament, Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness.
Matthew 4:1-11 describes how Satan tempts Jesus with physical sustenance, power, and testing God's protection. Jesus resists each temptation by quoting Scripture, demonstrating the power of God's Word in overcoming temptation.
3.
Testing God: Tempting can also refer to testing God, as seen in
Exodus 17:2-7, where the Israelites test the Lord by demanding water at Massah and Meribah.
Deuteronomy 6:16 warns, "Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah."
Theological ImplicationsTemptation is a significant theme in Christian theology, highlighting the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil. It underscores human vulnerability to sin and the need for divine assistance.
James 1:13-14 clarifies that God does not tempt anyone, but each person is tempted by their own desires.
Means of Overcoming Temptation1.
Scripture: As demonstrated by Jesus, Scripture is a powerful tool against temptation.
Ephesians 6:17 refers to the Word of God as the "sword of the Spirit," essential for spiritual warfare.
2.
Prayer: Jesus instructs His disciples to pray for deliverance from temptation in the Lord's Prayer (
Matthew 6:13). Prayer is a means of seeking God's strength and guidance.
3.
Holy Spirit: Believers are encouraged to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength.
Galatians 5:16 advises, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
4.
Community: Fellowship with other believers provides support and accountability.
Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the importance of encouraging one another in faith.
Consequences of Yielding to TemptationYielding to temptation leads to sin, which separates individuals from God.
Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The Bible warns of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness.
God's Faithfulness in Temptation1 Corinthians 10:13 offers assurance of God's faithfulness: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it." This verse highlights God's provision and support in times of temptation, encouraging believers to trust in His strength and deliverance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Tempt.
2. (a.) Adapted to entice or allure; attractive; alluring; seductive; enticing; as, tempting pleasures.
Library
Concerning the Pharisees and ScribesTempting Jesus (By Asking)...
... Book XIV. 16. Concerning the Pharisees and ScribesTempting Jesus (by Asking) Whether
Was Lawful for a Man to Put Away His Wife for Every Cause....
He Shows that Like the Devil whenTempting Christ, the Heretics...
... Book VII. Chapter XVI. He shows that like the devil whentempting Christ,
the heretics garble and pervert holy Scripture. Why then...
Adam's Sin
... His wiles are worse than his darts. Satan's subtlety intempting; (1.) He dealt
all along as an impostor, he ushered in his temptation by lies.1st Lie....
Temptations.
... Doubtless we had done as bad with half the argument of thy temptation. Satan
bytempting one may chiefly intend the destruction of another....
Of the Person to whom the Two Precepts Concerning the Love of God...
... And one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question,tempting Him, and
saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?...
Matt. xix. 16
... was it a small forwardness the young man had shown up to this time in having fallen
into such a desire; and when of the rest some weretempting, some were...
Whether the Manner and Order of the First Temptation was Fitting?
... Hence the devil, intempting man, made use of a twofold incentive to sin: one on
the part of the intellect, by promising the Divine likeness through the...
Explanation of the Lord's Question About his Mother and his...
... them. But it was with the view oftempting Him, that they had mentioned
to Him a mother and brethren which He did not possess. The...
Matt. xxii. 34-36.
... had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together;
and one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question,tempting Him, and...
Why the Pharisees Asked a Sign from Heaven.
... coming together unto Jesus, who disagreed in matters relating to the resurrection,
but came, as it were, to an agreement for the sake oftempting our Saviour...
Thesaurus
Tempting (12 Occurrences)... & vb. n.) of Tempt. 2. (a.) Adapted to entice or allure; attractive; alluring;
seductive; enticing; as,
tempting pleasures.
...Tempting (12 Occurrences).
...Nazirite (10 Occurrences)
... when the Israelites, having failed to overcome the native population, began to mix
freely with them, the local worship, full oftempting Dionysiac elements...
Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The act oftempting, or enticing to evil; seduction.
2. (n.) The state of being tempted, or enticed to evil....
Question (153 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEY BBE YLT NAS). Matthew 16:1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees having come,
tempting, did question him, to shew to them a sign from the heaven, (YLT)....
Questioned (57 Occurrences)
... Mark 10:2 And the Pharisees, having come near, questioned him, if it is lawful
for a husband to put away a wife,tempting him, (YLT)....
Nethinim (16 Occurrences)
... It is no doubttempting to see in the Gibeonites the earliest Nethinim, but another
tradition traces their origin to a gift of David and the princes for the...
Useless (47 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 3:5 because of this also, I, no longer forbearing, did send to know
your faith, lest he who istempting did tempt you, and in vain might be our...
Welcome (31 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:9 "But I charge you, so to use the wealth which is evertempting to dishonesty
as to win friends who, when it fails, shall welcome you to the tents...
Win (27 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:9 "But I charge you, so to use the wealth which is evertempting to dishonesty
as to win friends who, when it fails, shall welcome you to the tents...
Inviting (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Invite. 2. (a.) Alluring;tempting; as, an inviting amusement
or prospect. Multi-Version Concordance Inviting (2 Occurrences)....
Resources
What are the keys to resisting temptation? | GotQuestions.orgIs temptation a sin? Is it a sin to be tempted? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to flee from temptation? | GotQuestions.orgTempting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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