Let not 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 to pray 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 one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away 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. [1] And Stott says verse 13 might be better interpreted: Do not allow us to be so led into temptation that it overwhelms us, but rescue us from the evil one. [2]
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 avoid it. It seems like David would agree.
What temptation is enticing you this week?
[1] Douglas R. A Hare, Matthew, "Interpretation - A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Louisville: John Knox, 1993), 70.
[2] John R. W. Stott, The Message of the Sermon On the Mount (Downers Grove: IVP, 1978), 150.
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