LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL
#2 on the Sixth Petition
(Mat 6:9-13 NASB) "Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. {10} 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. {11} 'Give us this day our daily bread. {12} 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. {13} 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."
This lesson is the second on the Sixth Petition. Jesus taught us to pray, "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil". What God, by Christ, has instructed us to pray He has promised to deliver. That promise is found in, I Corinthians 10:13, which was the closing text in last weeks sermon.
(1 Cor 10:13 NASB) "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it."
God does deliver us from EVIL temptations, that which would do us harm. However, He intends that many temptations or tests do in fact overtake us. As we discovered in the last lesson He is the God of all tests and trials whether from within or without. Whether from Him directly or delivered by His instrument the Devil, it is the Lord who brings the trial and it is the Lord who keeps us safe as we pass through it. I say that because that is what I Cor. 10:13 says. God brings the same trials to all His children as He works in them to will and to do all His good pleasure. He does not, however, leave us to fend for ourselves, He is our faithful supply and companion as we walk through the fire. He is faithful, says the text, to supply a tailor made trial, and, sufficient strength so that we are not over come and spiritually destroyed by our trouble. He sees to it that we endure the trial form beginning to end, with profit. God's children come out the pleasant end of their troubles in better shape than when they began. They do so because God is faithful to all His Children and purposes only their good.
As we continue to study the sixth petition I wish to draw your attention to it's intercessory nature. "Lead US not into temptation but deliver US from evil". We do not pray for our own needs without including our Brothers and Sisters. Why? "For no temptation has taken you but such as is COMMON to man, and particularly to Christians. Are you struggling with sin in your life, well, so am I. Do you fight against lustful, hateful thoughts, so do I, my friend. Are you struggling to be a better employee or employer, Mom, Dad, Child, Christian, well, so am I, and, so are the rest of your Brothers and Sisters. The tests, struggles, the trials and hardships of life that you are experiencing are COMMON to your Brothers and Sisters. Therefore, we must pray, lead US not into temptation but deliver US from evil.
I ask again, why must we be concerned about our Brothers and Sisters, since we have our hands full of our own troubles? We must be concerned because we stand or fall together, we are a BODY OF BELIEVERS.
(1 Cor 12:18-27 NASB) "But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. {19} And if they were all one member, where would the body be? {20} But now there are many members, but one body. {21} And the eye CANNOT say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." {22} On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are NECESSARY; {23} and those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have more abundant seemliness, {24} whereas our seemly members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, {25} that there should be no division in the body, BUT THAT THE MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. {26} AND IF ONE MEMBER SUFFERS, ALL THE MEMBERS SUFFER WITH IT; IF ONE MEMBER IS HONORED, ALL THE MEMBERS REJOICE WITH IT. {27} Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it."
(Rom 14:7 NASB) "For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;"
We are not in this alone! We are a body of believers where each part depends on the other to contribute that which he was designed to contribute. We cannot be unconcerned for one another. I live for you, and you live for me, and, without each other we are not complete or healthy. Therefore, we must pray, "Give US this day OUR daily bread", "Forgive US OUR sins as WE forgive those who sin against US", and "lead US not into temptation, but deliver US from evil". There is a very real sense in which, as Christians, we are our Brothers keeper.
Then secondly, having concluded in the last lesson that God does, "LEAD", us into some temptations, I wish to give you another example of how God works the most difficult trials and tests together for our good even when Satan is involved.
Look with me to Luke 22:24-40 NASB.
"And there arose also a dispute among them, (The Disciples), as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. {25} And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' {26} "But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the SERVANT. {27} "For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. (Christians are to mimic their Savior in this.) {28} "And you are those who have stood by Me in My trials; {29} and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you {30} that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Then He addresses Peter personally. He was undoubtedly one of the men who wished to be great.) {31} "Simon, Simon, behold, SATAN HAS DEMANDED PERMISSION TO SIFT YOU LIKE WHEAT; (To sift wheat is the thrash it, it is to do all things necessary to get rid of the chaff so that only the true fruit remains. Therefore, the verse speaks of trying ones faith to the absolute limit. Jesus obviously granted Satan's request.), {32} BUT I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU, THAT YOUR FAITH MAY NOT FAIL; (Christ is our faithful intercessor. Here is the essence of I Cor. 10:13. God promises that we will endure and come out the other side. Our endurance has to do with the faithfulness of God and with Christ interceding for us. Because of Christ's work on our behalf, our faith will not, and cannot, finally, or completely fail.) , AND YOU, WHEN ONCE YOU HAVE TURNED AGAIN, STRENGTHEN YOUR BROTHERS." (Notice two things. One, Jesus speaks of Peter coming out the other side of the trial, test, or temptation that is about to befall him, "once you have turned again". Peters recovery from the fall was NOT in question. Then, we see something of the good God promises to bring out of all our experiences. After this period of education Peter would be equipped to strengthen the other Disciples by relating what he had learned. Peter needed to learn some things about himself, the devil, and the forgiving grace and mercy of God.) {33} And he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!" {34} And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the cock will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me." . . . . . {39} And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. {40} And when He arrived at the place, He said to them, "PRAY THAT YOU MAY NOT ENTER INTO TEMPTATION."
That is, pray that you may not succumb in a sinful way to the temptation about to befall you. But, did they pray? The answer is no, they fell asleep. They did not prepare themselves for the trouble about to come upon them. They failed to obey and they refused to pray. Therefore, when Jesus was taken captive all the Disciples ran and hid, except for Peter. He followed Jesus at a distance intent on doing what was right but he failed. Peter was tempted, tried, tested, and collapsed in a sinful heap. This collapse was NECESSARY for his spiritual well being. It was ESSENTIAL that all pride and confidence in himself be destroyed, and it was destroyed, in a moment. Peter denied Christ with cursing and went away weeping, broken, humiliated, and embarrassed. Yet, it was the best thing that ever happened to him. Later, as you all know, Peter was restored to the ministry a new man, and, went on to strengthen his brothers as predicted by Jesus.
(Rom 8:28 NASB) "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
There are many reasons God tempts and tries us. Sometimes, as was the case with Peter, He does so in order to reveal to us our, pride, weakness and deep need for His grace and mercy. In II Chronicles 32:31, for instance, God withdrew His sustaining arm from Hezekiah so that, "he might know all that was in his heart". Hezekiah NEEDED to be left to himself so he could see what a helpless man he was outside the sustaining grace of God. (2 Chr 32:31 NASB) "And even in the matter of the envoys of the rulers of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire of the wonder that had happened in the land, GOD LEFT HIM ALONE ONLY TO TEST HIM, THAT HE MIGHT KNOW ALL THAT WAS IN HIS HEART." Was it God who needed to know what was in this man's heart? Of course not, God knows all things without investigation. It was Hezekiah who needed the information. This is the same thing God did for Peter.
Sometimes, He tests us to teach us our need for watchfulness and prayer. Sadly for most of us it is not enough that Jesus warns, "Pray that you do not enter into temptation". We just don't get it, so we must be taught in THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS. In that place, we get spiritual knuckle bumps on our heads. Little by little, we discover the price that must be paid for the sins of pride, rashness, prayer-less-ness, and spiritual laziness.
Sometimes God tries us to cure spiritual laziness. "Awake thou that sleepest", He calls out, (Eph. 5:14), but we do not listen. That is, until He sends some rude messenger to wake us up.
(Job 33:14-26 NASB) "Indeed God speaks ONCE, or TWICE, yet no one notices it. {15} "In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds, {16} Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction, {17} That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And KEEP MAN FROM PRIDE; {18} He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol. {19} "Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with unceasing complaint in his bones; {20} So that his life loathes bread, And his soul favorite food. {21} "His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out. {22} "Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death. {23} "If there is an ANGEL (An angel is a messenger from God. This messenger may take many forms a human, a trial, a test, or temptation, to name a few. In this case it is someone who loves and cares for our soul that has been sent by God to call us to repentance.) as mediator for him, One out of a thousand, TO REMIND A MAN WHAT IS RIGHT FOR HIM, {24} Then let him be gracious to him, and say, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom'; {25} Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor; {26} THEN HE WILL PRAY TO GOD, AND HE WILL ACCEPT HIM, THAT HE MAY SEE HIS FACE WITH JOY, AND HE MAY RESTORE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS TO MAN." Sometimes, God needs to wake us up and must do so by rude and painful trials.
Then, again, He sometimes tempts and tries us to reveal our need of the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11-18). It is a fact of Christian existence, go to battle without your armor in place and you will be sorely wounded. Sometimes, God reminds us of this by allowing us to experience terrible defeat.
It must now be clear that we are not to despise, or, try to escape all trials and tribulations for they are not all evil, but, intend our good. Therefore, we can, with James, ". . . Count it all joy when we fall into various temptations, Knowing that the trying of our faith creates in us patience, or a glad acceptance and resignation to the will of God." (Paraphrase of James 1:2-3). The Christian can count it all joy that God is working all things together for his sanctification, he does not pray to be delivered from anything that might bring this to pass, even great hardships.
It is from the evil one himself and the evil of sin that we pray to be delivered, not the sanctifying trial itself.
Now, let's ask and answer the question, "Is there some practical thing we ought to be doing as we pray for deliverance from evil? The answer is yes. Having prayed for deliverance from evil we must GET IN THE PATHWAY OF THIS DELIVERANCE BY DOING whatsoever we have been called upon to DO in the scriptures.
The doing required for deliverance from evil is summarized in James 4:7 NASB. "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." Some of the details of what it means to submit to God and Resist the Devil are as follows.
(Col 3:5-10 NASB) "Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. {6} For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, {7} and in them you also ONCE WALKED, when you were living in them. {8} BUT NOW YOU ALSO, PUT THEM ALL ASIDE: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. {9} DO NOT LIE to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, {10} and have put on the new self who is BEING RENEWED to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him" This is what it means to submit to God and resist the Devil. Fact is, any time you are submitting to God by bowing before and obeying His word you are actively resisting the Devil.
(Rom 13:12-14 NASB) "The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. LET US THEREFORE LAY ASIDE THE DEEDS OF DARKNESS AND PUT ON THE ARMOR OF LIGHT. {13} LET US BEHAVE PROPERLY as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. {14} But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH IN REGARD TO ITS LUSTS."
(1 Th 5:21-22 KJV) "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. {22} ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIL."
(1 Pet 5:8-11 NASB) "Be of sober spirit, BE ON THE ALERT. YOUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. {9} But RESIST HIM, FIRM IN YOUR FAITH, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. (I Corinthians 10:13) {10} And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself PERFECT, CONFIRM, STRENGTHEN AND ESTABLISH YOU. (For the real Christian, there is no question about the intent and outcome of temptations, trials, or tests.) {11} To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen." (God's rule over His creation is a "Dominion". He dominates His entire kingdom so that everything happens just as HE sees fit. Nothing is left to chance or luck. This truth is meant to stabilize and encourage the Christian.)
(Col 3:1-17 NASB) "If then you have been raised up with Christ, KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS ABOVE, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. {2} SET YOUR MIND ON THE THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THE THINGS THAT ARE ON EARTH. {3} For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. {4} When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. {5} Therefore CONSIDER the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. {6} For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, {7} and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. {8} BUT NOW YOU ALSO, PUT THEM ALL ASIDE: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. {9} DO NOT LIE TO ONE ANOTHER, SINCE YOU LAID ASIDE THE OLD SELF WITH ITS EVIL PRACTICES, {10} and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him {11} --a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. {12} And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, PUT ON a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; {13} BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND FORGIVING EACH OTHER, WHOEVER HAS A COMPLAINT AGAINST ANYONE; JUST AS THE LORD FORGAVE YOU, SO ALSO SHOULD YOU. {14} And beyond all these things PUT ON LOVE, which is the perfect bond of unity. {15} And LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. {16} LET THE WORD OF CHRIST RICHLY DWELL WITHIN YOU, with all wisdom teaching and ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. {17} AND WHATEVER YOU DO IN WORD OR DEED, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, GIVING THANKS THROUGH HIM TO GOD THE FATHER."
This, Brothers and Sisters, is what it means to submit to God and resist the Devil so that he flees from you. These Holy activities are the companions that must accompany the praying of the Sixth Petition, "LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL."