LORD LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

Question, why would Jesus when teaching the disciples to pray in Matthew 6:13 say, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”. From the wording of the text it appears the Lord tempts us. James 1:13 states that God does not tempt any man by evil which is true. When reading any text –especially the scripture, it’s imperative to read the narrative in it’s context and define certain terms.

The word temptation in the Greek is peirasmos which means test or trial. Some trials have a beneficial purpose and effect (James 1:12) while others are designed entice us to sin and condemnation which the devil brings to us and also that by our own lust (Luke 22:3, 40; Matthew 4;1; James 1;14).

In actuality, the Lord test or tries us in the same manner he tested Abraham (Genesis 22). The reason is for the perfecting of our faith, the development of our character, for our total dependence on the Lord through the trial, and ultimately for the glory of God. The Lord does allow us to be tempted by the Devil for reasons often unbeknownst to us as he did with his servant Job (Job 1&2). Interesting note to make about Job; the Lord never answered his questions. It was only when Job confessed his sin of presumption against the Lord was he restored twice as much as he had prior to his hour of temptation (Job 42:6, 9-16). The Lord is never the source of the temptation when the enemy attacks although he permits the temptation. The Lord is sovereign, and he can do whatever he wants to do in the affairs of men. The Lord throughout scripture even uses evil to bring about his own ends (Genesis 50:20-21). Whether man comprehends the Lord’s intent or not is irrelevant for the Lord’s ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

The temptation that produces life

Listen to the wisdom in James 1:12, “Blessed (or fortunate) is the man that endures temptation. For when he is tried or approved he/she will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those that love him.” In this component of temptation, trial or tests, this can be what I call the perfect/direct will of God or the perfect/permissive will of God. The perfect/direct will is that test the Lord initiates and orchestrates himself. It has nothing to do with the enemy (i.e. Abraham, Genesis 22). The perfect/permissive test is when the enemy wants to destroy us but he is not allowed to do so because we’re protected by the power and providence of our God (i.e. Joseph In Genesis. Jesus in the wilderness Matthew 4:1). Therein lies the distinction between the perfect/direct and perfect/permissive. These trials are for our good and never our destruction for they’re providentially under the direction of the Spirit.

The temptation that brings death

The temptation that brings death is a ultimate result of us yielding to the evil desires of the flesh which results in sin, and sin is disobedience. We’re always tempted in the wrong way as well. This is the result of our enemy the devil, and our fallen nature. The scripture say, “every person is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed (James 1:14). Because of our unhealthy desires for the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (I John 2:16), we’re tempted to sin and this results in our destruction. This only glorifies the Devil, not the Lord. This temptation is not of God for he will not tempt us to do evil neither can he be tempted with any evil (James 1:13). Always keep in mind that the temptation itself isn’t sin for even Jesus was tempted in all points yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15); the yielding to the temptation is sin. This is a tragic reality in our lives for sin when it has matured brings forth death (James 1:15).

In summation

Hopefully with a better understanding of temptation we can better comprehend Jesus’ petition when he said, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The statement is a plea to the Lord to strengthen us when we’re tempted to sin so that we do not commit the evil we’re tempted to perform, but deliver us from snares, tricks of the devil. The scripture says, “Submit yourselves therefore unto God, resist the devil and he will flee” (James 4:7). Our lives will often dictate the devil’s proximity. Examine yourself to see if you’re living a life of obedience. The tests of the Lord are not designed for us to be delivered out of them, but to endure and be delivered through them that patience may have her perfect work (James 1:1-4); whereas the temptations of the enemy are for our destruction –for the thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy but I’ve come (i.e. Jesus) that you may have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10). And also remember that, “there is no temptation that has overtaken you except such is common to man, but God is faithful who will NOT allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way of escape that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13).