Praying for Our Protection: Hope Series Part 6
By Drs. John M. Frame and Steven L. Childers
Want to go deeper?
Study a theology of hope grounded in a biblical exposition and practical application of Jesusâ teaching in the Lordâs Prayer to all areas of your life.
Introduction by John M. Frame
Understand the setting, meaning, and purpose of the Lordâs Prayer (Chapter 1)
Learn how to ask our Father in heaven to honor his name in all things (Chapter 2)
Pray for Godâs kingdom and will to come on earth as it is in heaven (Chapter 3)
Petition God for our daily needs, protection, and obedience in faith (Chapter 4)
Ask God to forgive our sins like we forgive those who sin against us (Chapter 5)
Request God not to lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Chapter 6)
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Transcript
Introduction
After Jesus instructs us to ask our heavenly Father for our daily physical needs and for our forgiveness of sins, he instructs us to pray for our third basic need in lifeâour protection. âPray then like this, Our Father ⊠lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evilââ (Matt. 6:13).[1]
This last petition expresses one primary concept: life is a battle that involves dangerous spiritual warfare that we cannot overcome by ourselves, so we must trust our heavenly Father to protect us.
What does it mean to ask our heavenly Father not to lead us into temptation? Will God purposefully lead us into situations that will tempt us to sin? The idea that God would lead us into temptation has confused and troubled many followers of Jesus throughout history.[2]
The Greek word translated âtemptationâ (ÏΔÎčÏαÏÎŒÏÎœ) in this verse conveys the idea of an experiment, a trial, or a test that proves or gives evidence of something. The words temptation, trial, and test are used synonymously in the Bible for hardships we experience that help our faith mature. (Jas. 1:2-4)
In all forms of good education, teachers give students tests that are designed to help students learn and give evidence of their progress. Students donât normally like taking tests, but they usually understand why tests are necessary.
Similarly, the Scriptures teach that God gives us tests, also translated âtrials,â to help us flourish in our relationship with him and in our fulfillment of his kingdom purposes for our lives. However, like most students, we donât enjoy taking Godâs tests because they are often hard and painful.
God Leads Us Into Temptation
So does God lead us into temptation? The biblical answer depends on the meaning of the word temptation. The problem is that the same Greek word used for temptation (ÏΔÎčÏαÏÎŒÏÎœ) in the New Testament can have different meanings.
The Bible is filled with examples of God purposefully leading his people into times of temptation and testing.[3] So, in this sense, our Father allows us to be âtemptedâ in that he allows us to be âtestedâ by leading us into difficult circumstances to help us grow. This is how Jesus uses the word âtemptationâ when he teaches the Lordâs Prayer.
James uses the same Greek word for temptation that Jesus uses, but with a different meaning.[4] James writes, âLet no one say when he is tempted, âI am being tempted by God,â for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.â (Jas. 1:13)[5] So, when God brings âtimes of testingâ into our lives, he never tempts us in the sense of âenticingâ or âluringâ us to sin.
God leads us into circumstances in which we will be subjected to temptation. But God never leads us into the power and control of temptation to be subdued by it.[6] James teaches that the origin of that kind of lure and enticement to temptation is not from God, but from our own sinful hearts. âEach person is tempted when he is lured andenticed by his own desire.â (Jas. 1:14)[7]
Luke uses this same word to describe Jesusâ experience during his forty days in the wilderness before his public ministry. âWhen the devil had ended every temptation (ÏΔÎčÏαÏΌ᜞Μ) he departed from him until an opportune timeâ (Luke 4:12-13).[8] In Hebrews 4:15, Jesus is described as âone who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.â[9]
Therefore, just as God led Adam, Abraham, Israel, and Jesus into temptations for their good and his glory, God also leads us into temptations. Paul sees these times of temptation and suffering as essential, continuing, normal experiences for all true followers of Jesus.[10] Peter writes, âBeloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to youâ (1 Pet. 4:12).
In our Fatherâs great love for us, he brings trials into our lives. We should not be surprised by them but learn to accept them as a vital part of Godâs normal plan to transform us into the image of his Son.
Asking God Not To Lead Us Into Temptation
Since God leads us into times of temptation for our good and his glory, then why does Jesus instruct us to ask our Father in heaven not to lead us into temptation? Why should we ask God to spare us these temptations if they are necessary for us to grow and flourish spiritually?
J.I. Packer writes, âTemptation may be our lot, but only a fool will make it his preference.â[11] Peter and Paul did not ask God to lead them into temptation, and neither should we. Instead, they learned the opposite from Jesusâto ask God ânot to lead them into temptation.â
In the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus contemplated Godâs will for him to take the fullness of Godâs wrath on himself on the cross for our forgiveness, his first response was to cry out, âMy âFather, if it be possible, let this cup pass from meâ (Matt. 26:39). Jesus is praying in essence, âFather, if it is possible, do not lead me into this temptation.â[12]
However, Jesus soon realized that his Fatherâs will was to lead him to the cross, even though he would be tempted to turn away from his Fatherâs plan. Only by resisting this temptation and enduring the cross could he remain faithful and secure salvation for his people.
Only by overcoming this temptation could Jesus come to know âthe joy set before himâ and become âthe founder and perfecter of our faithâ (Heb. 12:2). So he submits to this trial and prays, âyet not my will but yours be doneâ (Matt. 26:39).
While Jesus was experiencing his temptation in the garden, he reminds his disciples to pray that they will not enter into temptation. âWatch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.â (Matt. 26:41)[13]
His disciples were especially vulnerable to temptation because they were so tired that they kept falling asleep. (Matt. 26:43) Jesus knew that although their âspiritâ was willing to obey his instruction to watch and pray, the physical tiredness and weakness of their âfleshâ (body) could easily lead them to disobey him.
The reason we ask our Father not to lead us into temptation is because we know how weak and vulnerable we are and how easy it is for us to fail Godâs tests. And we know how horrible the consequences of our failure could be to ourselves, others, and Godâs name.[14]
However, when it is our Fatherâs will to lead us into temptation, we join with Jesus, in reliance on the power of his Holy Spirit and cry out to our Father for his grace and mercy to endure the temptation as we pray, âyet not my will but yours be doneâ (Matt. 26:39).[15]
Asking God to Deliver Us From Evil
When God leads us into temptation, Jesus instructs us to plead with our heavenly Father to âdeliver us from evil,â or we will almost certainly fail the test.[16] The word translated âdeliverâ (ῄῊÏαÎč) is a strong word that conveys the idea of our desperate need to be ârescuedâ from great danger when being tempted.[17]
The Greek word translated evil can refer to evil in general or to the âevil one,â Satan, in particular.[18] Jesus is most likely referring to both here. There are three sources of evil that are the enemy of our soul: the world, the flesh, and the devil.[19]
But our primary foe is the devil, Satan, who is the personification and instigator of all evil.[20] The Scriptures teach that Satan is a fallen angel who terrorizes the world through through all kinds of evil. He causes great havoc throughout Godâs redemptive story, starting with Adam and continuing with Job, Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and the Apostles.[21]
Satan uses two main strategies of attack to entice us to sin: 1) an outward attack using the world and 2) an inward attack using our flesh (our sinful human nature).
Satanâs outward attack is by means of the lure of a sinful world with all of its false promises of lasting satisfaction and joy. When Paul writes, âYou once walked, following the course of this worldâ (Eph. 2:2), heâs referring to ungodly societal beliefs, values, and behaviors that Satan uses to tempt followers of Jesus to disobey God.[22]
Satanâs inward attack includes appealing to our sinful human nature with all its lusts, greed, and pride so that we look for true happiness and fulfillment in anything other than God. Jesus taught that all our external sins of the body come from the internal sins of our morally corrupt heart. (Mark 7:20-23)[23]
Although our deliverance from evil must be the work of Godâs Holy Spirit, the Bible teaches that weâre always to be active in this process.[24] Lying behind our every human exertion is the Holy Spiritâs life transforming power. (Phil. 2:12-13)
So when we ask our heavenly Father to âdeliver us from evilâ in all its forms, weâre putting on our spiritual armor (Eph. 6:10-18), humbling ourselves and resisting the devil (Jas. 4:7), and drawing near to God (Jas. 4:8) for his grace and mercy to protect us so we will âremain steadfast under trialâ (Jas. 1:12).
God graciously gives us two invaluable promises in Scripture to help us overcome temptation.
His first promise is that he will not tempt us beyond what we can handle. Paul writes, âNo temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your abilityâ (1 Cor. 10:13a). [25] And Godâs second promise is to provide us everything we need to overcome temptation. Paul writes, âBut with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure itâ (1 Cor. 10:13b).
As we learn to endure temptation and draw near to God for help, we learn to trust in his promises never to tempt us beyond our ability and always provide for us a way of escape.
Conclusion
James writes, âGod opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from youâ (James 4:6-7)[26] Although Satan is fierce,[27] God promises he will flee us when we resist him and draw near to God.[28]
We should respect Satan but not fear him. Satan and God are not equal opposites. Satan is a false god. He is a creature in rebellion against his Creator.
Itâs only in the context of our fighting against temptations that God leads us to new levels of dependence on him and in turn leads us to newer and deeper levels of joy, love, peace, and power. John Bunyan writes, âTemptation provokes me to look upward to God.â
Temptation itself is not sin. Temptation is the temptation to sin. Jesus was tempted (Matt. 4:1), but he never sinned (Heb 4:15-16). Temptation only becomes sin when we give into it.[29] Sin occurs when we fail to resist temptation and allow it to lead us to disobey God in our thoughts, words, or deeds.[30]
Martin Luther once said, âYou cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.â
It is good for us to be without vices, but it is not good for us to be without temptations. Why? Without temptations we do not need God and will not be drawn into the riches of his love for us. When our Father leads us into temptation, he calls us into battle, shows us our desperate need for his Son, and empowers us by his Spirit to run to Christ to save us. In him alone will we find the grace and mercy to overcome our temptations and be delivered from evil.[31]
Footnotes:
[1] This is one petition that consists of two parts. These two clauses are linked by the Greek conjunction áŒÎ»Î»áœ°. The first clause, âLead us not into temptation,â is amplified and applied by the second clause, âbut (áŒÎ»Î»áœ°) deliver us from evil.â Lukeâs record of the Lordâs Prayer does not include the second clause. (Luke 11:4)
[2] If this petition only means, âDo not allow us to enter into temptationâ or âDo not let us yield to temptation,â why did Jesus instruct us to ask our heavenly Father not to lead us into temptation?
[3] Soon after God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden paradise, he tested them. (Gen. 3) In Genesis 22:1 we read that âGod tested Abraham.â After God delivered the first generation of Israelites from bondage in Egypt, he tested them in the wilderness. (Num. 14, Ps. 95) The same Greek word translated âtemptationâ (ÏΔÎčÏαÏÎŒÏÎœ) in Matthew 6:13 is also used in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament (Septuagint) in passages like Numbers 14 and Psalm 95. God called Israel to be fruitful and multiply (Gen 1:27-28; 35:11) and to obey all his commands in order to have life. (Lev 18:5) But like Adam, Israel failed Godâs tests. Godâs commands for Israel to make sacrifices for sin were reminders of their failure of Godâs tests to keep his demands and their need to look ahead for Godâs promised Redeemer.
[4] Similarly, the same Greek word for justification (ÎŽÎčÎșαÎčοῊÏαÎč) in the New Testament has different nuances according to the context in which it is found. It means âdeclared righteousness,â but our works are proof, according to James, that our faith is genuine, that it is a true, living faith. Jamesâs point is that we are justified, not by a dead faith, but by a faith that works. So God âdeclaresâ us righteous on the basis of that faith that works. The works do âproveâ our faith, but the way they do this is by showing that our faith is real. So justification is by faith and NOT by works; but works serve as evidence that the faith is authentic. Paul writes, âWe know that a person is not justified (ÎŽÎčÎșαÎčοῊÏαÎč) by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christâ (Gal. 2:16). James writes, âYou see that a person is justified (ÎŽÎčÎșαÎčοῊÏαÎč) by works and not by faith aloneâ (Jas. 2:24).
[5] James tells us that âGod cannot be tempted with evil.â Godâs nature is âuntemptableâ (áŒÏΔίÏαÏÏÏÏ). Just as the Scriptures teach that God is not capable of changing, lying, or breaking a promise, God is not capable of being tempted or seduced by things that are evil. Therefore, God is not capable of tempting (evil luring) anyone to sin.
[6] In his Confessions, Augustine helps us distinguish between the two different meanings of the same word for temptation when he writes, âAll men must be tempted; but to be brought into temptation is to be brought into the power and the control of temptation; it is to not only be subjected to temptation but to be subdued by temptation.â
[7] Our sinful human nature (flesh) by itself has the power to entice us to sin. However, Satan often tempts us through our sinful human nature. Weâll study how Satan tempts us through our âfleshâ and the âworldâ later in this chapter.
[8] Paul presents Jesus as the second man and the last Adam. (1 Cor. 15: 45-47) When the first man, Adam, was tempted in the garden, he failed to obey God resulting in eternal death for humanity. (Rom. 5:12-14) But when the second man, Jesus, was similarly tempted throughout his life, he perfectly obeyed God resulting in eternal life for humanity. (Rom 5:18-19)
[9] The question is raised, âIf God cannot be tempted and Jesus is God, how can Jesus be tempted?â The Bible teaches that Jesus is a divine person with a divine nature and a human nature. As the divine, eternal Son of God, Jesus cannot be tempted. However, in his humanity Jesus experienced real human limitations and temptations. (Luke 2:52, Mark 12:32, Heb. 2:17-18, 4:14-16)
[10] When Paul reflects on his many temptations, he writes, âWe are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodiesâ (2 Cor. 4:8-10).
[11] Packer, J. I.. Growing in Christ, p. 196, Crossway
[12] This is not a serene or stoic prayer, but a prayer made âin agony and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the groundâ (Luke 22:44).
[13] The Greek words that Jesus uses here are âspiritâ (ÏÎœÎ”áżŠÎŒÎ±) and âfleshâ (ÏᜰÏΟ). Jesusâ statement âthe flesh is weakâ in this context is primarily a reference to the weak physical bodies of his disciples. But Paul uses the same Greek word âfleshâ (ÏᜰÏΟ) to mean our âsinful desires.â (See Rom. 7:18, Rom. 13:14, Gal. 5:13, 16-25.) Although the Bible refers to our physical bodies as being weak and susceptible to evil influence, it does not characterize the physical body as evil in itself. The physical world and our bodies were created by God as good and will be recreated good when Jesus returns to make all things new.
[14] Paul warns us, âTherefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fallâ (1 Cor. 10:12).
[15] When our Father leads us into temptation, we are not thankful for the temptation itself, but for how God will use it for our ultimate good and the fulfillment his kingdom purposes though us. After James writes, âCount it all joy ⊠when you meet trials of various kindsâ (Jas. 1:2), he then tells us the reason we count it all joy: âfor you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.â (Jas. 1:3-4) Believers should grieve and mourn tragedies, terminal illnesses, and death. When Jesusâ friend Lazarus died, Jesus was not joyful and thankful to God for his death. He saw death, like Satan, as his enemy that he hates and that he came to conquer. So he wept when he learned that Lazarus died. But Jesus gave thanks to his Father at the tomb of Lazarus for how he was going to use his death to display the Fatherâs glory by raising him from the dead. (John 11:38-44)
[16] Calvin writes, âWe conclude from this petition, that we have no strength for living a holy life, except so far as we obtain it from God. Whoever implores the assistance of God to overcome temptations, acknowledges that, unless God deliver him, he will be constantly falling.â Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew.
[17] At the crucifixion of Jesus, the religious leaders mocked him saying, âHe trusts in God; let God deliver (ῄῊÏαÎč) him nowâ (Matt. 27:43). In Paulâs struggle with the temptations of his sinful nature, he cries out to be rescued using this same word. âWretched man that I am! Who will deliver (ῄῊÏαÎč) me from this body of death?â (Rom. 7:24)
[18] There is debate among New Testament scholars regarding the meaning of ÏοῊ ÏÎżÎœÎ·ÏοῊ. The use of the definite article (ÏοῊ) can refer to evil in general (neuter gender), the evil one (masculine gender), or both.
[19] The world, the flesh, and the devil are sometimes called the âUnholy Trinity.â Paul refers to all three sources of evil in Ephesians 2:1-3: âAnd you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air [devil], the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedienceâamong whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh.â To invoke a threefold pattern found elsewhere in this book and series, Satan is ânormative,â the would-be ruler of this world; the world itself is âsituational,â the configuration of evil in historical events, and the flesh is âexistential,â within ourselves as our fallen nature. A similar pattern appears in the temptation of Eve in Gen. 3:6, when she accepts the serpentâs view that the forbidden fruit brings wisdom (normative), is good for food (existential), and is pleasant to the eye (situational). But when Jesus was tempted, he rejected Satanâs claims: he would not obey Satan to satisfy his hunger (existential), to display his power to the world (situational), or to engage in false worship (normative).
[20] In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for Satan (Ś©ÖžÖŒŚŚÖžŚ) is a generic noun meaning âaccuserâ or âadversary.â In the New Testament, the Greek word devil (ÎŽÎčÎŹÎČολοÏ), meaning slanderer, is used with Satan interchangeably as a synonym. Matthew calls Satan âthe tempter.â (Matt. 4:3) John calls him âthe ruler of this world.â (Jn. 12:31, 14:30) Paul calls him âthe prince of the power of the airâ (Eph. 2:2) and âthe god of this world.â (2 Cor. 4:4) In Scripture, both good and evil are fundamentally personal, not abstractions or inanimate forces. God is personal goodness, Satan personal evil.
[21] When our Father, by the power of his Holy Spirit, led Jesus into temptation to prepare him for his public ministry, Matthew writes, âJesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devilâ (Matt. 4:1).
[22] Church historian Richard Lovelace writes, âWhen âworldâ is used in a negative sense in Scripture, what is meant is the total system of corporate flesh operating on earth under satanic control. Included are dehumanizing social, economic and political systems; business operations and foreign policy based on local interest at the expense of general human welfare; and culturally pervasive institutionalized sin such as racism. Much of the Christian community today is deeply penetrated by these worldly patterns of thinking, motivation and behaviour, and thus its spiritual life is deadened and its witness rendered ineffectual.â Dynamics of Spiritual Life: An Evangelical Theology of Renewal.
[23] At its core, sin is more than disobeying Godâs laws. It is a deep-seated, invisible, terminal disease. Paul describes the actions of our sinful hearts as the works of the flesh. (Gal 5:19-21) He writes, âThose who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desiresâ (Gal. 5:24).
[24] The Scriptures teach that we overcome temptation by learning how to turn away from sin in repentance and turn to Jesus Christ in faith. Paul presents repentance as âputting offâ the old self and faith as âputting onâ the new self. (Rom. 6, Col. 3) In repentance, we pull our heartâs affections away from idols that can never satisfy so that we can place our affections on to the ascended Jesus Christ who alone can satisfy. Then we experience what the Puritans called âthe expulsive power of a new affection.â
[25] God graciously limits the specific temptations we experience so that they are within our ability to resist and overcome. Calvin writes, âGod alleviates temptations, that they may not overpower us by their weight. For he knows the measure of our power, which he has himself conferred. According to that, he regulates our temptations.â Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount
[26] Paul writes, âFinally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firmâ (Eph. 6:10-13).
[27] Peter writes, âBe sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the worldâ (1 Pet. 5: 8-9).
[28] âGod is strong enough to free you from everything and can do you more good than all the devils can do you harm. All that God decrees is that you confide in him, that you draw near him, that you trust him and distrust yourself, and so be helped; and with this help you will defeat whatever hell brings against you. Never lose hold of this firm hope even if the demons are legion and all kinds of severe temptations harass you. Lean upon Him, because if the Lord is not your support and your strength, then you will fall and you will be afraid of everything.â Saint John of Avila, Sermons, 9, First Sunday of Lent
[29] John Owen, the Puritan theologian, writes, ââSin will not die unless it be constantly weakened. Spare it, and it will heal its wounds, and recover its strength. We must continually watch against the operations of this principle of (indwelling) sinâŠin all that we do! ⊠Let no man think to kill sin with a few gentle strokes. He, who has once smitten the serpent, if he does not follow his blow until it is killed, may repent that he ever began the quarrel in the first place; and so will he who undertakes to deal with sin, if he does not pursue it constantly to death; sin will revive, and the man must die.â On Mortification of Sin
[30] The Bible gives three practical directives we must learn regarding how to overcome temptation: 1) Starve it out: We must learn to starve our sinful nature of those things which nourish and feed it. Paul writes, âmake no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desiresâ (Rom. 13:14). 2) Cut it out: We must learn to take radical action against indwelling sin. Jesus teaches, âIf your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it awayâ (Matt. 5:27-30). The Puritans called this our âmortificationâ of sin. 3) Crowd it out: We must learn to crowd out temptations by replacing them with things that are true, good, and beautiful. After Paul writes, âflee youthful passions,â he writes, âand pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peaceâ (2 Tim. 2:22). A well-cultivated, flourishing garden has much less room for weeds. The Puritans called this our âvivificationâ in holiness.
[31] Augustine writes, âWhen we say, deliver us from evil, there remains nothing further which ought to be asked. When we have once asked for Godâs protection against evil, and have obtained it, then against everything which the devil and the world work against us we stand secure and safe. For what fear is there in this life, to the man whose guardian in this life is God?â Sermon on the Mount, 2.10, pp. 36-37
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