This has been such a great study for me. I've learned so much about prayer and how it's not just something we say in passing. This method is deep with spiritual insight and yet simple enough for any Christian, young or old, to understand in Bible study. So without further ado, here is the final article on this amazing method of prayer.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13(ESV)
First, I would like to look at the word temptation that's used here. It's interesting to note that this same word, temptation (pi-ras-mos'), is the same one used in Genesis 22:1 in the Septuagint, where God instructs Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Why is it interesting? Because it can be translated as testing, rather than tempting. Which makes sense due to the fact that God does not tempt us, (James 1:13). So we can rightly say that what is meant here is referring to testing in our lives, and that it's not inferring, in any way, that God tempts us or leads us into temptation. No, what we find here is a plea for God to not allow us to be tested beyond our limits, allowing us to be brought into a place where sin would overcome us; a place where we could possibly yield to sin. Read how the New Living Bible translates this passage, "And don’t let us yield to temptation..."Saints, we wrestle against spiritual darkness (Ephesians 6:12), and against our own fleshly desires (1 Peter 2:11). We, as Christians, are in the process of sanctification, being brought into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:21). So we pray for help in this struggle, for God to not allow us to yield to temptation.
The second part to this plea is a perfect match to the first.
"...but deliver us from evil."
Like all of Scripture, there is so much more than how this text appears at face value. These are the reasons we should be diligently studying the Scriptures. God has so much more that He wants to reveal to us than simply reading His beloved Word.
Deliver us (rhoo'-om-ahee hay-mas'), is a very expressive word and means, "break our chains, and loose our bands - snatch, pluck us from the evil, and its calamitous issue." (Clarke's Commentary)
In other words, we are praying for God to rescue us from captivity. But from captivity to what?
The word evil (pon-ay-ros'), represents evil in its entirety. This is not just deliverance from a single being or crime, but every form of evil.
Do not allow us to be tested beyond our capabilities, Lord, which would bring us to fall into sin, but rescue us from every form of evil.
In summary, this method of prayer teaches us that;
1. God loves us with a perfect, fatherly, love.
2. We are to always put God first.
3. We are to come before Him with reverence.
4. We are to come before Him with praises on our lips.
5. We are to come seeking His kingdom and will.
6. We come to Him for spiritual and physical nourishment.
7. We come to Him for forgiveness.
8. We look to Him for guidance away from temptations and testing.
9. We look to Him for deliverance from every kind of evil.
It also teaches us that for every prayer, there is a call to action. We seek for God to show us and guide us through His will. If we ask for forgiveness, then we must have already forgiven all those who have sinned against us.
What an amazing guide for prayer! I am so thankful that we were not left without a tutor, that the Holy Spirit is here to guide us into all the truth of Scripture (John 16:13).
I leave you with the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Matthew 6:9-13
Repent and believe before it's too late
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