Skip to main content

The Lord's Prayer Part 5: And Do No Lead Us Into Temptaion

This can be a confusing part of the Lord’s Prayer… “Do not lead us into temptation…”  To some it gives the connotation that God would actually lead us into temptation but that would be in conflict with James 1:12-15 12:
 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the LORD has promised to those who love him. 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. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Did you know being tempted is not a sin?  It is giving into the temptation that is.
This makes it quite clear that God does not tempt anyone or lead them into temptation but what tempts us is our own evil desire. Clearly God does not tempt us. So what does this mean?  I think Leonard Goffine, a German Catholic priest, explains it well. (6 December 1648 – 11 August 1719) "We ask God to avert all temptations or at least not to abandon us when we are tempted. We cannot, indeed, be entirely free from them in this world, they are even necessary and useful for our salvation: for without temptation there is not combat, without combat, no victory, and without victory no crown." 
As Jesus has said, those who overcome shall be saved (Rev. 2:7, 2:26).  We certainly have lots to overcome in this world which is impossible with human strength alone. But if we will learn to pray and ask for our Father’s help, he will give us the strength to overcome all temptations. What great news for us!
A modern writer put it this way; “God does not tempt us to sin; but He permits us to be tempted to try our fidelity or punish our pride and to give us an opportunity of meriting rewards for ourselves by overcoming the temptations….. He is our Father who corrects us so that we can live with Him forever in heaven.  ALLELUIA!”
The scripture gives us this wonderful promise.  “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And 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.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 13)

Do you know God as your deliverer from temptation?  You can know Him personally, by forgiving others and asking Him for His forgiveness.  Surrender your life to Him by asking Him to come into your life.  Tell Him you want to be born-again. (John 3:3-8).  He is faithful to receive you and to cleanse you of all sin and give you a new life in Christ.  He is powerful enough to forgive and clean up the worst sinners there are, since He has promised not to reject anyone who comes to Him!
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8-10) 

Pastor Gary A. Smith
New Life Christian Fellowship
Alpena, MI

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What's Going On: Understanding the Time We Live In

“Father, Father, We don't need to escalate; You see, war is not the answer, For only love can conquer hate; You know we've got to find a way, To bring some lovin' here today. What’s going on, what’s going on?” Some of you may recognize these lyrics sung by the late Marvin Gaye.   Yeah, what’s going on is right!   Just as Marvin’s generation struggled to make sense of their world, we are struggling today to make sense of ours.   Many are wondering if that is even possible, but let me assure you it is--but only if you have developed a Biblical World View.   I must warn you, if your World View has been shaped by the world’s academia, the major news media, celebrities, or just the voice of the majority, you will not understand “what’s going on”.   In fact, you will probably think I am nuts, but that’s alright with me.   As the Apostle Paul stated, “I am a fool for Christ.”   But as the late John Wimber, (Of The Righteous Brothers and The Vineyard f...
2 comments
Read more

Raising Kids, Manners, and The Golden Rule

So, what do Manners and The Golden Rule have to do with raising kids past and present? There really is a very important connection.  If we want to see children today grow into upstanding adults who do well in life, we really need to be diligent in teaching them manners and also The Golden Rule -- wouldn’t you agree?  Let’s first look at what is known as the Golden Rule. In Jesus’ teaching found in Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”  Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone was aware of and practiced this in everything?  Well, it is not something that comes automatically to people, especially children!  So you might be wondering, how do we put this into practice?   Glad you asked.  Here’s how we can start.  Begin by teaching your children good manners-- yes, I said GOOD MANNERS. Why good manners?  Because good manners are really the...
1 comment
Read more

What Will We Ever Do In Heaven?!

Have you ever wondered what heaven will be like?  I am sure you have, and frankly most people don’t seem very excited about it.  After all floating around on a cloud by ourselves, strumming a harp in a white gown (of all things) forever doesn’t sound too appealing to most people…particularly to a male!  Unfortunately, that is the concept most people seem to have, but is that what heaven is really like? Recently I was visiting my good friend’s octogenarian father and the topic of heaven came up.  At 88 you have a lot of time to think on “what’s next” and rightly so.  Physical death is a coming reality.  Yet for most all of us this thought bring a great uncertainty, which has a proclivity to produce great fear for the future, rather than great hope and expectation.    For the person who has never asked Christ for His forgiveness, nor lived their life for Him, there should be a great fear.  The Bible warns us of this so that we might turn f...
1 comment
Read more