History of the Word “Temptation”

History of the Word “Temptation”

Definition

A temptation is an act that looks appealing to an individual. It is usually used to describe acts with negative connotations and as such, tends to lead a person to regret such actions, for various reasons: legal, social, psychological (including feeling guilt), health, economic, etc. Temptation also describes the coaxing or inducing a person into committing such an act, by manipulation or otherwise of curiosity, desire or fear of loss.

Derivation

Though at present used in many non-religious connotations, the term has implications deeply rooted in Judaism and the The Old Testament, starting with the story of Adam and Eve and the original sin. Many non-Western cultures had no precise equivalent until coming into contact with Europeans; for example, Jesuit missionaries in Brazil, translating the Lord's Prayer into Old Tupi, had to use the Portuguese word tentação, since Tupi had no word expressing "temptation" in that sense.

Contemporary use

"Temptation" is usually used in a loose sense to describe actions which indicate a lack of self control.

Temptation is a common recurring theme in world literature. Temptation has repercussions for even the strongest.

"Temptation" is something that allures, excites, and seduces someone. Infatuation can also lead to temptation as someone might do something for love in spite of one's better judgement.

In advertising, "temptation" is a theme common to many of the marketing and advertising techniques used to make products more attractive for purchase by consumers.

Religious Meaning

The primary meaning in the Bible is of testing. God tested the reality of Abraham's belief by the command to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen. 22: 1-9). But, secondly, the word acquires its more usual modern meaning of enticement to sin (which does not come from God, Jas. 1: 12-15). The petition in the Lord's Prayer that we be not led into temptation is ...