Do not let my
heart be drawn to what is evil
(Psalm 141:4).
In The
Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13),
Jesus instructs his disciples to pray, Lead us not into temptation (v. 13). This is a confusing thing for us to
be asked because we know God does not tempt us. 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 (James 1:13,14). Also, it is unrealistic to ask that we never be
tempted, for everyone faces temptation.
New Testament
scholars Douglas Hare and John Stott help us understand what this prayer is
asking. Hare asserts that what we really mean is this: “Give us strength to
resist temptation” [5]. And Stott
says verse 13 might better be interpreted: “Do not allow us to be so led into temptation
that it overwhelms us, but rescue us from the evil one” [6].
David knew we don’t
need anyone to tempt us. As the title of Tyler Perry’s 2009 film states: I
Can Do Bad All by Myself. We don’t need anyone’s help to get into
trouble, but we sure need God’s help to stay out of trouble. It seems like David would agree.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
What temptation is enticing
you this week? Pray through the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).
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