Bible Dictionary

Tempt

TEMPT, Matt 22:18, TEMPTA'TION. Luke 4:13. These words are used in various senses. The ordinary import of them is allurement or enticement to sin. Hence our great adversary the devil is called "the t…

Schaff's Bible Dictionary

TEMPT, Matt 22:18, TEMPTA'TION. Luke 4:13. These words are used in various senses. The ordinary import of them is allurement or enticement to sin. Hence our great adversary the devil is called "the tempter." Matt 4:3. They also denote the trial of a person's faith or obedience. Gen 22:1; Jas 1:2-3, or the trial of God's patience and forbearance. Ex 17:2; 1 Cor 10:9. The prayer. "Lead us not into temptation," Matt 6:13, does not imply that God

leads us into sin, Jas 1:13-14, but it is a prayer that he may guard and protect us from temptation. When it is said that the lawyer and others tempted our Saviour, Matt 16:1; Josh 19:3; Mark 10:2; Luke 10:25, it is meant that they tried to ensnare him or lead him into the commission of some offence.