Lead us not into temptation

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13 KJV).

A temptation is an enticement to do wrong through a promise of pleasure, ease or advantage.

Everyone is tempted. Jesus tells us to pray for God's help. He told Peter, James and John in the garden: "Pray that you may not enter into temptation'' (Luke 22:40). "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak'' (Matthew 26:41). The disciples wanted to do what was right, yet later that night they left Jesus.

What is the source of temptation? "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (James 1:13-15).

Notice that temptation itself is not sin. It is an enticement to do wrong by a promise of pleasure or gain. Sin only occurs when we give in to temptation.

Temptation does not come from God, but from Satan. Paul was concerned about the Thessalonians: "For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain" (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

Christ did not sin, but he was tempted. "And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan" (Mark 1:13).

Jesus teaches us how to resist temptation. Prayer is essential. He tells us to pray that we might not be led into temptation. Notice that each time Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He responded with 'It is written'. Knowing, understanding and applying the Scriptures will enable us to withstand temptation.

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."' Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: "He shall give His angels charge concerning you," and, "In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."' Jesus said to him, 'It is written again, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God."'" (Matthew 4:1-7).

In this second temptation, the devil quoted Scripture, misapplying it of course. Jesus replied by saying 'It is also written'! We must know the Scriptures well to resist temptation. We need to know all the Bible says about something to avoid being deceived by a Scripture-quoting devil.

"Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, 'All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve."' Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him" (Matthew 4:8-11).

The temptations in the wilderness illustrate the meaning of the word 'temptation'. The devil enticed Jesus to do wrong by promising Him things that sounded inviting: bread when He was hungry, God's providential care, and rulership over the whole world. Notice also that none of these goals were wrong for Jesus. He needed food like we do. God had promised to care for Him. And He came to earth to be King of kings and Lord of lords. But the devil was enticing Him to accomplish these goals by doing things that would be wrong.

The promises of temptation, the enticing promises of pleasure or gain, are always deceitful promises. True pleasure and true gain come only from doing what is right.

If we pray and put our trust in the word of God revealed in Scripture, God will help us resist temptation.

But we must be careful: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world" (1 Peter 5:8,9). "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:12,13). We must take advantage of the way of escape that God provides.

We must be spiritually minded to resist temptation, realizing that eternal spiritual values are more important that temporary earthly pleasure or gain. "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:8-10). Notice again that the promise of worldly riches is a false promise. They who love money get sorrow.

Jesus can help us resist temptation. He was tempted like we are. He understands what it is like to be tempted. "In all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted" (Hebrews 2:17,18). "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15,16).

"The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment" (2 Peter 2:9).

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12).

Roy Davison


Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)