LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 6:13a, “And do not lead us into temptation.  But deliver us from the evil one.”  Jesus

 

There was a story about a minister who parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city.  He was short on time and couldn’t find an open space with a meter, so he put a note under his windshield wiper that said, “I have circled the block ten times.  If I don’t park here, I’ll miss my appointment. ‘Forgives us our trespasses.’”  When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note, “I Have circled this block for ten years.  If I don’t give you a ticket, I’ll lose my job.  ‘Lead us not into temptation.’”

 

It is God’s nature to feed us and to forgive us.  But, does He lead us into temptation?  When one goes through a trial or test, he either passes or fails.  When God “allows” a trial to come into one’s life, there is always the possibility that it will turn into a temptation to do evil.  In Matthew 6:13, Jesus is not saying that God would entice anyone to sin.  It is not God’s nature to do that.  James 1:12-15 says that God is not tempted by evil and He cannot tempt anyone with evil.  The question needs to be asked what Jesus meant by this part of the Lord’s Prayer?  Is there a purpose for temptation?

 

Temptation reveals what is in our heart.  Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son Isaac.  God wanted to know without doubt that Abraham loved Him; the trial was to reveal what was in his heart.  Temptation is frightening because it shows how close one is to sin.  For example, yesterday I was reminded about forgiveness when I wanted to not be forgiving and be angry instead; it reminded me that the “old self” wants to bring out the worst in us.  Writing about forgiveness made me realize that I needed ask forgiveness for my attitude.

 

Temptation is a method that God uses to help us mature in Him.  1 Timothy 4:7 tells us to “Train yourself to be godly.”  There are those in my family that continue to strengthen their physical strength.  How do they do that?  Exercise.  In the same way the “muscle” of our will is strengthened when the right thing is done.  In other words, each time you say no to temptation, the “muscle” of our will gets stronger and it becomes easier to say no to temptation the next time.  The longer you walk with the Lord, there are things that should no longer tempt you as they once did.

 

This is all good.  But if temptations can be good, why did Jesus tell His disciples to pray God would not lead them into temptation?  Is this a contradiction?  I must be honest.  I did not wake up this morning and pray God would test me today.  Constant testing can make one weary and more liable to fail.  Too many tests and the risk of failure increases.  Jesus told them (and us) to pray against temptations, even though tests can be helpful, because humans are weak.  1 Corinthians 10:12 is pretty clear regarding this.  “Let him who think he can stand take heed lest he fall.”  No intelligent person would ever pray for the Lord to bring temptation into their path.  When they do come, they should be used as an opportunity for becoming more like Christ and His glory.  “Do not lead us into temptation” is a great prayer that recognizes our own weaknesses – and it points us to our only reliable source of strength (David Jeremiah).

 

Jesus also said to pray “deliver us from the evil one”.  This is from the New King James Version Bible.  I just noticed this morning that it said evil one and not evil.  All translations are saying we need to be delivered from the evil that is all around us; we are to pray daily because evil is constantly around us!  Pay attention and you will see it is no longer in the shadows; evil is out in the open challenging righteousness everywhere.  It is becoming worse and more blatant in what it does.  Jesus is telling us to pray for deliverance from the awful troubles here and now – even though He may occasionally decide, in His sovereignty, to allow earthly troubles in our lives.  Our attitude must be the same as the Hebrews in Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace (Daniel 3:17-18).  These men knew that God was in control of their situation, He was able to deliver them, and they expected Him to do so.  They also knew He was sovereign and might have other plans for them. They placed their lives in His hands.  That is to be our example, our attitude, and our confidence. 

 

When we know that God delivers us from evil, we are able to live victorious lives.  That victory will result in safely entering the kingdom of heaven!

 

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