Why Are We Praying for God Not to Lead Us Into Temptation?

Class Outline:

Wednesday September 4, 2024

 

In this prayer, after we have glorified His name by making it holy, after we have longed for His king, have lives in its way and shined it forth; and after we have done His will - we ask for today’s bread (not concerned about tomorrow); we ask for (or seek) forgiveness of all our debt, and forgive all others - and yet we are not done. 

 

We have somewhere to go; a destination. And the way is fraught with peril. We need to be led, but at the same time, we do not want to be led in the clutches of the devil. And here is where things get tricky or sticky.  

 

Today we will see that Jesus wants us to ask that we not be led into the trials that the devil can impose, but to also leave that decision to the sovereignty of God. And in not seeking trials, we know that they are sometimes necessary, and when they come, we are not to ask to get out of them but to be delivered from them. Like our Lord in Mat 4, that deliverance can only be had or experienced by knowledge and faithful application of God’s word. 

 

The text: MAT 6:13. 

 

Is the notion of God leading us into testing compatible with goodness? 

 

A negative request does not necessarily imply that the positive is to be expected. 

 

Testing is not always a bad thing (MAT 4:1). 

 

Confusion is furthered when people quote JAM 1:13 out of context. 

 

God will lead to trial, but He will not lead to sin or evil. (JAM 1:12-18).

 

Why then are we asking God, “Do not lead us into temptation”? 

 

We know that the devil (evil one) prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1PE 5:6-11). 

 

Therefore, as we progress on our journey to maturity to the image of Christ, the devil will seek to destroy our direction and momentum. 

 

We should not desire to be tested by the devil or in general. 

 

Those who seek testing are usually seeking personal glory. Jesus was led, He did not ask for it. 

 

Jesus does not want us seeking testing like ascetics or martyrs. 

 

Testing from the devil always involves some form of suffering (1PE 5:9). We should not seek suffering. Ascetics do this only to their own glory. 

 

We seek God’s will, and if that leads to suffering we are willing to endure it, but we do not seek it, nor do we seek to avoid it if it comes upon us as we are doing His will. 

 

Believers are led by the Holy Spirit (ROM 8:14). Our desire is to be led to maturity as quickly as possible, but when trial is necessary, we are not seeking it, we are accepting it. 

 

Application: Jesus wants you to pray each day that you are not led into testing, and therefore, subtly, He is getting us to seek to be led by God. 

 

He does not want you to seek trial by the devil or to seek suffering at all. 

 

He does want you to know that the sovereign will of God will lead you into trial at times, and every one of those are for blessing - mostly to others and some to yourself. 

 

There are forces of evil that seek to lead us astray (flesh, world, devil) from the journey God has planned for us to traverse. 

 

Like the Exodus generation, you must go forth and walk by faith. Do not look for trouble, but when it comes, by faith trust in God’s promises and humble yourself under His will, and pray, “Deliver me from the evil one.”