Jesus continued to teach the Lord’s Prayer saying from Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4:
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
Simply put, temptation is anything that obstructs or is likely to obstruct us from doing God’s will. They come in various forms from both physical and spiritual sources. They manifest in health, economic circumstances, marriage, home, social setting, etc.
The statement postulates that it is God who leads us into these circumstances. We accept this obnoxious saying that God leads us into temptations because God is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end of all things, Revelations 1:8; 21:16; 22:13. It is also based on the misinterpretation of the biblical saying that all things are subject to God’s authority, Psalms 50:15.
In truth, God does not tempt man. It is rather the devil that tempts man, Luke 4:12. The statement therefore means that God who knows all things should lead us away from temptation. God has promised us we should call him in troubled times and he will deliver us, Psalms 55:16. It is only God who knows the way and therefore capable to lead us away from temptations. One of such ways is through prayers, Luke 22:40, 46. We must watch and pray without ceasing.
The statement also means that when God sees us running into temptation, he should not allow us to enter it. We are to petition God to lead us not into temptation because his plan for us is welfare to bring us to an expected future and not for destruction, Jeremiah 29:11. God is therefore the most qualified to be called upon or petitioned in times of trouble. Jesus himself was tempted yet overcame, Matthew 4:1. Jesus was thus saying that the God who led him to victory will also come to our aid if we call upon him.
Jesus was also saying that in prayer we ask God not to allow us to be tempters ourselves because it carries great punishment. Matthew 18:7 and Luke 17:1 says that temptation to sin is sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come. Temptations that come to us must however not always be regarded as negative. We must know God’s mind in each and every circumstance.
We read from James 1:2-4 that count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Paul compliments this verse that no temptation has overtaken man that is not common. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength but will provide a way of escape so we may be able to endure it, 1 Corinthians 10:13.
The prayer acknowledges God’s infinite and sufficient grace to see us through or to avoid it completely if it is God’s will, 2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul, referring to scripture and confirmed by faith through his experience, said in 2 Thessalonians 3:3 that the Lord will guard you from evil. Are these and such notions our thoughts when we kneel down to pray? It takes faith to trust in God in the face of adversity.
Jesus knew God’s capacity and our human frailties and the right source of protection. Do we complain after we have petitioned God or asked for his purpose in every situation and challenge?
Prayer
Lord God, lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil, Amen!!!
