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 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.

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.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To put to trial; to prove; to test; to try. God did tempt Abraham. Gen. xxii. 1. Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God. Deut. vi. 16.

2. To lead, or endeavor to lead, into evil; to entice to what is wrong; to seduce. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. James i. 14.

3. To endeavor to persuade; to induce; to invite; to incite; to provoke; to instigate. Tempt not the brave and needy to despair. Dryden. Nor tempt the wrath of heaven's avenging Sire. Pope.

4. To endeavor to accomplish or reach; to attempt. Ere leave be given to tempt the nether skies. Dryden.

Synonyms: entice; allure; attract; decoy; seduce.