Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "tempts" in the Bible is closely associated with the idea of testing or trying one's faith, character, or obedience to God. Temptation is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both the challenges faced by believers and the faithfulness of God in providing a way to overcome such trials.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "tempt" is "nāsâ," which can mean to test or try. One of the most notable instances of temptation is found in the account of Abraham. God tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Genesis 22:1 states, "Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied." This test was not intended to lead Abraham into sin but to prove his faith and obedience.
The Israelites also experienced temptation during their journey in the wilderness. In
Deuteronomy 8:2 , Moses reminds them, "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "peirazō" is commonly used for temptation. The most significant account of temptation is the testing of Jesus in the wilderness. After His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1 records, "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." This event highlights Jesus' sinlessness and His reliance on Scripture to resist temptation.
The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of temptation in his letters, offering both warnings and encouragement to believers. In
1 Corinthians 10:13 , Paul writes, "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 passage reassures believers of God's faithfulness and His provision of a way out of temptation.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, temptation is understood as a test of faith and character. It is not from God, as
James 1:13 clarifies, "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone." Instead, temptation arises from one's own desires and the influence of the world and the devil.
Believers are called to resist temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit and the application of God's Word.
Ephesians 6:11 exhorts, "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." This spiritual armor includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God, all of which equip believers to withstand temptation.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, Christians are encouraged to remain vigilant and prayerful in the face of temptation. Jesus instructed His disciples in
Matthew 26:41 , "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." This highlights the importance of spiritual alertness and reliance on God through prayer.
Furthermore, believers are urged to flee from situations that may lead to sin and to seek fellowship with other Christians for support and accountability.
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
In summary, the biblical understanding of "tempts" encompasses both the trials that test faith and the assurance of God's provision for overcoming them. Through Scripture, prayer, and the support of the Christian community, believers are equipped to resist temptation and grow in their faith.
Library
Why the SerpentTempts to Sin.
... Homily X. Chapter XI."Why the SerpentTempts to Sin. "For he knows the
original law, that if he bring you to the persuasion of...
Christ the Support of the Tempted
... cannot lie. I shall,. I. Show you who it is thattempts you. II. Shall
show, my brethren, why hetempts you. III. Mention some...
Whether to Tempt is Proper to the Devil?
... Sometimes too hetempts in order to help, sometimes in order to hurt. The devil,
however, alwaystempts in order to hurt by urging man into sin....
Temptation
... "The devil," says a wise man of old, "does not tempt bad men, because he has got
them already; hetempts good men, because he has NOT got them, and wants to...
Whether the Temptation of God Consists in Certain Deeds, Wherein...
... Accordingly, mantempts God sometimes by words, sometimes by deeds. Now
we speak with God in words when we pray. Hence a mantempts...
Tenth Commandment
... has shown how covetousness leads to the transgression of every one of the commandments,
and I cannot do better than quote his words: "Covetingtempts us into...
The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... He labours to storm the castle of the heart, he throws in thoughts of blasphemy,
hetempts to deny God: these are the fiery darts he shoots, by which he would...
An Exposition of Luke xxii. 46, Etc.
... And thus the wicked one, when hetempts us, draws us into the temptations, as dealing
himself with the temptations of evil; but God, when Hetempts (tries...
Power and Temptation
... themselves. The deviltempts these men, not with a sense of their greatness,
but with their self-distrust; yet hetempts them in vain....
Servants and Stewards Here and Hereafter
... Apostolic letters. The first thing is to keep ourselves awake all through
the soporific night, when everythingtempts to slumber. Even...
Thesaurus
Tempts (1 Occurrence)...Tempts (1 Occurrence). James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted
by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himself
tempts no one.
...Tempting (12 Occurrences)
Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... Sentiment, repelled by the artificiality of the modern garden,tempts the visitor
to look for a more suitable and less artificial spot farther up the valley....
Incapable (5 Occurrences)
... 1:13 Let no one say when passing through trial, "My temptation is from God;" for
God is incapable of being tempted to do evil, and He Himselftempts no one....
Tempter (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whotempts or entices; especially, Satan, or
the Devil, regarded as the great enticer to evil. Multi-Version Concordance...
Tempted (25 Occurrences)
... James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for
God can't be tempted by evil, and he himselftempts no one....
Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The state of being tempted, or enticed to evil. 3. (n.) That whichtempts;
an inducement; an allurement, especially to something evil. Int....
Tempt (18 Occurrences)
... (Root in KJV DBY WBS YLT). James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted
by God," for God can't be tempted by evil, and he himselftempts no one....
Can't (180 Occurrences)
... James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God
can't be tempted by evil, and he himselftempts no one. (WEB)....
Passing (177 Occurrences)
... 1:13 Let no one say when passing through trial, "My temptation is from God;" for
God is incapable of being tempted to do evil, and He Himselftempts no one....
Resources
How does Satan tempt us? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a succubus? What is an incubus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the pride of life? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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