“In the sixth request (And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one) we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin or support and deliver us when we are tempted.” – Shorter Catechism Q. 106
In this petition, Jesus reminds me that my soul is in spiritual danger, caught in the midst of a spiritual battle between good and evil. I need to be mindful of the enemies of my mind, body, and soul, who seek to corrupt and destroy me.
I need to be mindful of what the enemy’s tactics are. I need to recognize and acknowledge that I am no match for such powers and rely on God himself to deliver me. This petition reminds me to come under God’s authority and protection, following his lead into spiritual warfare.
Confessing my self-centred prayers
Sadly, even though I’m a Christian, there are times when I wander from God and I give myself over to temptation. I am not even asking God to keep me from temptation, I am flirting with it.
I buy into that ancient lie, thinking I can eat of the pleasures of temptation to transcend my circumstances. I find myself opening myself up to the enemy’s destructive influence, and end up feeling guilt and shame, unable to experience close communion with God.
When I live as though I can get away with or manage my sin and its consequences, I am not mindful that there is an evil one seeking to devour me. I forget to be sober and alert, needing to be reminded of the myriad of examples of people past and present who gave themselves over to sin and reaped the devastating consequences it brings.
I am prone to fall away from God and am tempted when drawn by: my own sinful desires, the ungodly values and practices of the world, and Satan and his demons. I am always susceptible to temptation, to either sin or trust in my self-righteousness, and I need deliverance from both.
Jesus reminds me that my soul is in spiritual danger, caught in the midst of a spiritual battle between good and evil. I need to be mindful of the enemies of my mind, body, and soul.
Corey Porter
The Bible helps me identify my sins and how they come out of me in three ways: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.
What is temptation?
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. (James 1:13-15)
Jesus is my mighty warrior and general. He equips me to fight in spiritual battle. I need to become skilled in using the weapons and protection he has given me to fight in this spiritual battle.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14–16)
When we pray “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one,” we pray asking God to keep us aware of the spiritual battle we are in, mindful of our enemies and their tactics, and relying on God and the weapons he has given us to fight.
Please pray for our students, that they would continually rely on God and experience his deliverance from temptations coming from within them, the world, and from the evil one.
Written by Corey Porter.
Haven’t read the earlier parts of this series? You can catch up:
- The Lord’s Prayer: Learning to worship God in my prayers.
- Our Father in heaven
- Hallowed be your name
- Your kingdom come
- Your will be done
- Give us today our daily bread
- Forgive us our debts
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