Temptation

Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia


04. THE TEMPTATION

(1) The Tempter. The woman was approached by the serpent, Devil (Ge 3:1; Re 12:9; 20:2).

(2) Means. He approached her by speaking in her own language and by falsely interpreting the law of God (Ge 3:1-5; Joh 8:44).

(3) Points Tempted. The woman was tempted in
(a) the lust of the flesh,
(b) the lust of the eye,
(c) and the pride of life (Ge 3:1-6; 1Jo 2:16).

(4) Results. The woman was deceived (2Co 11:3); the man was not (1Ti 2:13-15), but the eating of the fruit brought the speedy sentence of death (Ge 2:16-17; Ro 5:12-19). All the guilty parties were involved in the results.

(5) General Results.
(a) The serpent was doomed to disgrace and destruction;
(b) the woman was doomed to sorrow in child-bearing and subserviency to her husband;
(c) and the man was doomed to sorrow, disappointment, and hard labor (Ge 3:14-19).

(6) Remote Results. Man's will power was doubtless weakened by transgression, but he still had the power to partake of the tree and life and live forever (Ge 3:22-24). His memory was doubtless weakened by sin, but he remembered all the circumstances of the temptation and transgression (Ge 3:1-13). His reason was doubtless weakened by disobedience, but he was able to attempt to shift the responsibility from his shoulders when confronted with the results of his crime (Ge 3:12-13).

(7) Causes of Sin and Death. Sin, death, and their terrible consequences were brought about by
(a) hearing,
(b) believing,
(c) and yielding to a lie.

Beware!