“And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6: 13
This statement isn’t to imply that God entices us to do evil. (ref. James 1:13-14). However, God allows his people to be tested as to their faithfulness. This just plain stinks, eh? I don’t know anyone who welcomes temptation or testing… yet it brings me comfort knowing that God is God and He knows what is best for me.
God has promised that He won’t allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. Each test being an opportunity to trust Him more, as He always provides a way for us to move forward. (ref. 1 Corinthians 10:13). Even still, this is a hard cup to swallow.
In our walk with Jesus, avoiding temptation should be something that is on our radar. We shouldn’t walk ourselves into situations that aren’t good for us, because in and of ourselves we are helpless before the devil… we can’t, in our own strength, walk into an evil circumstance and come out the other side unscathed.
But like we see when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the Holy Spirit led Him there. (ref. Matthew 4:1). So we can know by this that there will be times that God allows us to be tempted, for a purpose. With the power of the Holy Spirit in us, He will either lead us away from it or give us the strength to walk through it.
We also know that satan asks God to sift us, like he did with Peter. (ref. Luke 22:31-34). God has control over the tempter. And if for some reason God allows us to be tempted, the trial that Peter walked through gives us great hope, that when we falter, and turn back to God, He will restore us. (ref. John 21:15-17). But obviously it is our daily hope that God would preserve us from the schemes of the enemy that look to trap us under sin and the devastation it can bring upon our lives. And it's with that petition in mind that we pray:
“Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed by Your name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:9-13
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