A Closer Look At The Lord's Prayer - Day 5

Thank you for joining me for the final day in the series discussing the Lord’s Prayer. I hope you have found the information enlightening and thought provoking. Let’s go ahead and dive into the final verse of this prayer.

Matthew 6:13 - “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

The word temptation literally means, “the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise.” Immediately that lets me know that God is not the author of temptation! Our perfect, Almighty, loving Heavenly Father would never lead us to a wrong desire. And if he isn’t the author of it, he will not lead us to it. Will our sinful nature lead us? YES. Will the enemy roaming around lead us? YES. Will other sinful people lead us? YES. But that is not, and never has been God’s way. In fact, James 1:13 backs this point up perfectly when it says, “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone, but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”

Why would Jesus word it this way then? Let’s clear that up right now. He specifically said “lead us NOT into temptation BUT deliver us…” This in no way indicates that God ever did lead us into temptation; it is a request for Him not to. It is a simple plea for protection. Jesus knew exactly what it felt like to be tempted by the devil. In fact Matthew chapter 4:1 says Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Wait! Why would Jesus be led by the Spirit to be tempted if God does not lead us? Well, the short and most direct way to answer that would be this:

Jesus, as the Son of God, was not born sinful like you and I. He therefore was not tempted by the things we are tempted by on a day to day basis. But! It was necessary for Jesus to be like us so he could be our merciful high priest before God. (Hebrews 4:14-15) Hebrews 2:10 says, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” He needed to experience it to really get it. That is why he fasted for forty days and forty nights. He was hungry, thirsty, physically exhausted and depleted. He was in a weakened state when the enemy came. And what the enemy tempted him with would have been relief and an answer to all his suffering. So, it was tempting. But the good news is, Jesus resisted. And because he resisted, he was able to complete his good work and take upon himself the sins of the world. Because he was strong enough to resist, we can have the strength to resist the devil and be delivered by God as well!

In this prayer, we are petitioning God for deliverance from anything and everything controlled by the enemy. And we know that based on 1 Peter 5:8, the enemy is roaming this Earth like a lion seeking to devour us. So let’s consider this: How did Jesus walk away from that temptation with the win? What did he do to combat the enemy? How did he overcome this temptation?

He used the scriptures! That is why reading and becoming familiar with the Bible is a crucial component to our faith journey. We are empowered when we speak the Word of God aloud! We are given the strength to resist the enemy, our own sinful desires and temptations all around. Rest assured that the Lord will NEVER lead us to temptation. We don’t need to be led, it’s constantly swirling all around. But he will rescue us and deliver us when we cry out to him. Like 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us:

“...God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

He’s got your back! Dare to say this prayer from your heart. This is not a one and done kind of prayer. Our God still desires a deep relationship with each and every one of us. Conversation with the Lord is a blessing that we should take full advantage of everyday in our life. I hope this prayer has permeated your soul. I pray you have found new appreciation and comfort in these words. I hope you have formed a deeper sense of connection with this prayer and the Lord. I hope you have come to pray this from your heart and not just memory.

“Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed by your name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6:9-13

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