Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil
"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil and He, Himself does not tempt anyone." - James 1:13
Perhaps the most puzzling part of the Lord's Prayer is the phrase, "Lead us not into temptation." It's confusing. In fact, on first glance, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. After all, the Bible is clear that God does not tempt us. So why would Jesus teach us to say, "Lead us not into temptation?"
1. First of all, Christ is reminding us that we need to call on God's help in the face of temptation. We're calling on God's help for strength through the trials of life and asking God for the strength to resist temptation.
2. But it's also a plea for God to help us make the wise decisions that keep us out of vulnerable situations and to ask for the wisdom to develop a lifestyle that limits temptations.
3. "Evil" in this verse actually means "the evil one". The evil one is smarter and stronger than us. Not smarter and stronger than God, but smarter and stronger than us.
So, we need to call on God to give us the power to resist temptation and deliver us from the evil one. He wants to destroy our lives, but God wants us to live and live life to the fullest. It just makes sense to trust God and resist temptation and believe God will deliver us from evil.
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7 Comments
Thought you might like to read what I read every day. Every devotion has an explanation and some hit home with me anyway. I thought this one was pretty "generic", if you will, so that you know there is not point intended as to the content. Just a chance to share. Hope you enjoy. You can subscribe if you like and one will be automatically sent to you each day. - Kim Byron
Uh... I don't know Greek, but is a better translation, "Lead us away from temptation"??? - Steve
Steve, I don't know Greek either, but the best explaination I have heard on this is that it was typical of Jewish poetic speech to contrast in a couplet. Therefore, Jesus is in essence saying: "Father, keep our paths from the ways of destruction, and the temptations of the evil one." In this world, satan is always trying to tempt us away from the paths of righteousness (Ps 23). We each have different weaknesses that can be covered by the umbrella of temptation. Some, like me, have more than our share! - Grant
Grant do you teach Bibliology? You did a good job on that explanation. I liked that. - Jerry
Jerry, No, but I fell in love with the Bible seven years ago and I have tried to study/read/understand it more everyday. Also, I enjoy hearing the teaching/preaching of the Brian Wrights, R.C. Sprouls, John Pipers, Spurgeon, etc, etc; which are all available on line. Thank you for the compliment. I really want to continue to follow Paul's admonition that we must seek to become mature as believers and disciples. - Grant
Grant, Study to show thyself a workman that need not be ashamed. I, like yourself fell in love with the scriptures about 33 years ago and I cant get enough of them. God bless you. - Jerry
I like the explanation shared you Grant; temptation means to be entice to do evil. And from what I've learned of my Holy Father's character, he would never do that. I wonder how many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have noticed that part of the disciples prayer. There's so much for us to learn.
- Geogery