Temptation

(1.) Trial; a being put to the test. Thus God “tempted [Gen. 22:1; R.V., ‘did prove’] Abraham;” and afflictions are said to tempt, i.e., to try, men (James 1:2, 12; comp. Deuteronomy 8:2), putting their faith and patience to the test.

(2.) Ordinarily, however, the word means solicitation to that which is evil. Such temptations can occur from without or from within. Internal temptation to do wrong is native to the human condition (Jeremiah 17:9), and is much more difficult to overcome.

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Author: Easton’s Bible Dictionary

Keywords: Temptation

Source: Matthew G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary.

Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.