TEMPTATION

An enticement or invitation to sin, with the implied promise of greater good to be derived from following the way of disobedience. In this sense, God does not tempt man, nor can He Himself as the holy God be tempted . God cannot be induced to deny Himself <2 Tim. 2:13>. The supreme tempter is Satan , who is able to play upon the weakness of corrupted human nature and so to lead people to destruction.

The gospel of Jesus Christ directs man to resist temptation, promising blessedness to those who do . The gospel also directs us to pray for deliverance from exposure to temptation and from surrender to it . The Lord will not allow His people to encounter temptation beyond their Spirit-given ability to resist <1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Pet. 2:9>.

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)