Deliver Us
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” Matthew 6:13
This petition in the prayer is primarily for protection. It accepts the danger of temptation, acknowledges our deficiency in dealing with it, and asks for deliverance from it.
First, we need to establish what “lead us into temptation” means. It cannot mean that God is the prime mover behind all temptations. Nor can it mean that Christians can pray this prayer and be delivered from all temptation. God does not lead us into a life that is free from temptations. Rather, He teaches us how to look to Him for the necessary strength with which to deal with temptation appropriately.
The key to understanding what this phrase means is to understand that the word “temptation” has two meanings. It can mean to tempt with the goal of causing one to sin or it can mean a test or trial to prove the validity of one’s faith. Obviously God never tempts anyone with the goal of causing them to sin. James 1:13 tells us that, “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.” (NKJV) God never tempts any one to evil, but he does test us. James had already explained earlier in the same passage (1:3-4) “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (NKJV)
Others have already faced the same temptations we encounter. Paul explains, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;” (1 Cor. 10:13a). Paul also explains that God places limits on the test that we face, “ … 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 Cor. 10:13b) NKJV)
The King James Version translates this, “deliver us from evil” but The New King James Version , The New International Version and The New English Bible translations rendered it, “deliver us from the evil one” – referring of course to Satan.
In our last study we saw how the phrase, “lead us not into temptation,” indicated that the child of God was conscious of past sin and failure and fearful of falling into yet further sin. When you use the phrase “deliver us from the evil one” you are admitting that this life is a struggle with an enemy that oppose us. Because we do not know what dangers we will face each new day, we need God’s protection to cover us. When you pray “deliver us from the evil one” you are turning your protection over to God.
There is no part of life that is not touched by evil. It has ruined our circumstances, it has marred our character, indeed it has affected the whole of God’s creation.
I. Satan is Real, and he is gunning for us
We cannot be victorious over that which we do not understand. Being ignorant of the fact that there is a great spiritual battle being fought in our world does not erase that fact that it is true.
According to a national survey conducted by the Barna Research Group most Americans do not believe in Satan. 60 percent of American adults – six out of ten – believe that Satan “is not a living being but a symbol of evil.” Only 25 percent “believe strongly” that Satan is a real being. Only 45 percent of those who describe themselves as “born again” deny Satan’s existence. .
Spiritual warfare needs spiritual weapons. Temptation is not to be fought with human willpower. The way to resist temptation is to lean heavily upon God’s grace to strengthen and enable us to stand against the wiles of the Devil.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4, tells us “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,” (NKJV)
The apostle John says that the world is a trap that is made up of three things.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
1 John 2:15-16 (KJV)
There is the “lust of the flesh” - which means the desires of the flesh
There is the “lust of the eyes” – desiring the things that are not ours
There is the “pride of life” – involves putting self on the throne of our lives.
The Progression in temptation
1. False impression given by Satan that whatever wrong we are contemplating really is not that serious.
2. The temptation presents a picture of some action that in some way appeals to our inner needs. Satan makes us see something, or someone, or some situation which he is sure will appeal to our lives.
3. A desire is actively aroused.
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.(15) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James 1:13- 14 (NKJV)
4. We begin to toy with this idea. We play with it. We fantasize about it. It this point we have already begun to fall for Satan ruse.
5. We proceed to act on that what was presented to us. But the moment we give in we are dismayed and disgusted by our own defeat.
6. We try to hide our sin. We attempt to excuse or to conceal this matter from God and others. [principles drawn from W. Phillip Keller. A Layman Looks at the Lord’s Prayer. Chicago: Moody Press, 1976.) pp. 132-133.]
II. Prepare Yourself
We must be prepared to meet he attack of the enemy. There are many factors that contribute to Satan success at the art of deceit. First, although he is not equal to God, he is of an order of creatures that is higher than man (Heb 2:7). He was created an angel, and among the angels a cherub.
Satan is also successful because of his vast experience. By his very longevity he has acquired knowledge of a great breadth and depth. Satan also has the ability to transform himself in a variety of ways.
Four Principles For Meeting the Attacks of the Enemy
A. The Principle of Respect.
Scripture tells that we need not fear Satan because, “ …. He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (NKJV). But, too many Christians rely on fleshly strength to deliver them from Satan. Our confidence does not lie in ourselves, or in our ability to counteract evil, but rather in the character and strength of our Father in Heaven who delivers us. Even the great archangel Michael did not dare take Satan on alone but called on the Lord to rebuke him (Jude 9).
B. The Principle of Removal.
Our heavenly Father endows us by His Spirit with the Spiritual common sense that he expects us to use in avoiding temptation. 1 Timothy 6:11, “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” (NKJV)
C. The Principle of Resistance.
James wrote (4:7) “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (NKJV). Here he is using a verb tense that means to take a decisive stand.
The apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:9) advises Christians that they should not give in to Satan but “Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (NKJV).
D. Principle of Readiness.
Our best defense against evil is a right relationship with God through the application of His word. Scripture warns the believer that he must be prepared. Jesus warned his disciples (Mark 14:38), “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (NKJV)
Paul warns the the Ephesians (6:11) to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (NKJV)
The believer’s armor is given in order that we might stand against our adversary (6:13-14).
The belt of truth. It was the soldiers belt that held all of his armor in place. It is the truth that holds all the we believe in place. Since Satan depends on deception to maintain his power our first line defense is to know the truth.
The breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate protected the vital organs (heart, lungs, kidneys). It is righteousness that protects us in those vital areas in our relationship with God. Any sin in our lives leaves an opening in our armor through which Satan can attack us.
The shield of faith. The Roman soldiers shield was of sufficient size that he could take shelter behind it, from the arrow of the enemy. In order to quench the fiery darts of Satan’s temptations we must seek to know and apply God’s truth to every area of our lives.
The helmet of salvation. It is the knowledge that we are saved that provides protection from the Satan’s two edged sword of discouragement and doubt. It is the helmet that gave the soldier the confidence to fight.
The sword of the Spirit. God’s word is our only offensive weapon and it can only be used effectively it we know its promises.
[These principles are drawn from Elmer Towns. Praying Through the Lord’s Prayer for Spiritual Breakthrough. pp. 189-190.]
III. Request Deliverance
We need to remember, everyone is vulnerable to temptation, no one is above falling. No matter how old we are or how mature in the faith we are. Although the strength of certain temptations may diminish somewhat with age, we are never free from temptation as long as we live in this world.
There is a story that I believe perfectly illustrates this principle. “History records the fate of two men who were condemned to die in the burning days of Queen Mary. One of them boasted very loudly to his companions of his confidence that he would stand firm at the stake. He did not mind the suffering; he was so grounded in the gospel that he knew he would never deny it. He said that he longed for the fatal morning even as a bride for the wedding.
His companion in prison in the same chamber was a poor trembling soul who could not and would not deny his Master; but he told his companions that he was very much afraid of the fire. He said he had always been very sensitive to suffering, and he was in a great deal of dread that when he began to burn, the pain might cause him to deny the truth. He besought his friend to pray for him, and he spent his time in very much weeping over his weakness and in crying to God for strength. The other continually rebuked him and chided him for being so unbelieving and weak.
When they both came to the stake, he who had been so bold recanted at the sight of the fire and went back ignominiously to an apostate’s life, while the poor trembling man whose prayer had been “lead me not into temptation” stood firm as a rock, praising and magnifying God as he was burnt to a cinder.”
[as quoted by R. Kent Hughes. Abba Father; The Lord’s Pattern for Prayer. (Wheaton, ILL: Crossway Books, 1986.) pp. 92-93]
We need to know how to pray for spiritual protection for ourselves.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” Matthew 6:13
When we pray for God’s protection from temptation we are agreeing with the High priestly prayer of Jesus. He prayed, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15 (NKJV)
Conclusion
Although Satan may be the ruler of this present evil world, though he may be the prince of the power of the air, though he may have cohorts of evil spirits at his command, he has no claim over the children of God, nor does he have any power to tempt them except what the Father allows.
Sometimes God chooses to take his child out of suffering almost immediately. Sometimes he chooses to let His child remain in it for a lifetime, but He always takes us through it. And ultimately He is going to deliver us from evil by taking us home to Himself.
The Psalmist (121:7-8) expresses his confidence this way, “The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. (8) The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.” (NKJV)
