It is a scary world in which we live: wars on the international scene, murders closer to home. But what is really scary is to look at our hearts, at the evil there. So, pray what Jesus commanded you to in Matthew 6:13.
Don’t lead us into temptation. God does not tempt you. Temptations and trials will come, James 1:2, 3. You pray that they may be avoided, but also that you may not give in to temptation. God will provide a way of escape. There are times when God allows temptation. He can even use them to strengthen you. God is not the tempter, James 1:13. He is sovereign, he controls all things, even the temptations which come into your life, but he is not the author of sin. He does not tempt you. Do not blame God. Satan tempts you, and you are responsible for your course of action, whether resisting or giving in to the temptation. Temptations are common to man, 1 Corinthians 10:13. Other Christians have resisted sin—so can you. (The same comfort is there for trials through which you pass.) You cannot escape responsibility. You are not unique in your situation.
Even when you are tempted, God will make a way to escape. God is faithful. God assures you that he will answer this prayer. He is faithful to provide a way of escape. This assurance rests on the faithful character of God and goes back to the perfect work of Christ. In this prayer, like in many, you are praying for what God has promised he will do. “You can’t say ‘can’t’!” Your temptation or trial is not a special case. Don’t make excuses for it. There is hope for you, if you turn to God, whatever your temptation, whatever your trial. Pray this prayer–and then live obediently. Don’t walk in the path of the ungodly. Follow Paul’s advice, and flee temptation, 2 Timothy 2:22.
“When we suffer [allow] a temptation to enter into us, then we ‘enter temptation.’ While it knocks at the door we are at liberty; but when any temptation comes in and parleys with the heart, reasons with the mind, entices and allures the affections, bi it a long or a short time, do it thus insensibly and imperceptibly, or do the the soul take notice of it. We ‘enter into temptation.’”
“Our blessed Savior knows full well our state and condition; he knows the power of temptations, having had experience of it (Heb. 2:18); he knows our vain confidence, and the reserves we have concerning our ability to deal with temptations, as he found it in Peter; but he knows our weakness and folly, and how soon we are cast to the ground, and therefore does he lay in this provision for instruction at the entrance of his ministry, to make us heedful, if possible, in that which is of so great concern to us. If then, we will repose [place] any confidence in the wisdom, love, and care of Jesus Christ toward us, we must grant the truth pleaded for.”
John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation, ed. By Kelly M. Kapic and Justin Taylor, pages 160, 167–168
The prayer involves seeking God’s powerful deliverance. Deliver us from evil. Deliver us from the evil one. The petition could refer to the abstract idea of evil. This involves a prayer that God would deliver you from all forms of evil and sin. Likely the noun is personal, and appropriately translated, “the evil one.” Temptation is the result of the work of the tempter. Depersonalizing sin can make it appear a more distant problem. Our Lord takes seriously the problem of evil. With crime in the news, we can hardly doubt the pervasive presence of evil. Some suggest that evil is just a learned behavior, or an influence in our culture. God tells us that the problem of evil is due to rebellion against him—Adam’s, and our own. Satan tempts us to sin, and we tend to give in to those temptations.
“For believers, prayer for forgiveness remains a daily necessity. But in that case they do not pray in doubt and despair; they do not pray as though they are no longer children of God and again face etrnal damnation; they pray from within the faith as children to the Father who is in heaven, and say Amen to their prayer.”
Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 2, p. 225
You can pray this prayer because Christ answered this prayer for you. Jesus Christ was tempted as the second Adam. His temptation is more than just an example of how to resist temptation (we pray, “Deliver us from temptation,” but Christ was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted, Matthew 4:1). The second Adam obeyed where the first one fell. This was the first step in Christ overcoming Satan. Christ’s public work defeated Satan. The preaching by the 72 was a defeat of Satan, Luke 10:18. In the miracles demons were cast out, and the sickness, and even death, which are the result of sin, were hurled back. Christ’s death and resurrection mark his decisive victory over Satan. The evil one has power, but it is limited. The Lord who teaches you this prayer claims that all power has been given to him, Matthew 28:18. As you live, by faith, trusting in the King,, you can pray this petition.
Jesus Christ is the victorious King. His victory is going to be totally complete in the last day. Therefore pray with confidence, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
