PRAYING LIKE JESUS: OVERCOMING TEMPTATION—Matthew 6:9-13, 1 Corinthians 10:12-14
Have you ever said something like this?
“I don’t know how it happened. I got sucked in, and I couldn’t seem to avoid it.”
“Why did I say that? It was stupid and wrong—and I didn’t really mean to.”
“I want that so bad! I know I really shouldn’t, but…”
“Man, what was I thinking? How did I let it go this far? And now that I am this far, how do I get out?
As we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we come to this: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
WHEN WE PRAY THIS WAY, WE ARE RECOGNIZING THAT TEMPTATION COMES, AND WE NEED GOD’S HELP.
“Lead us not into temptation…” Would God tempt us? No, James 1:13-14 says, “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone…”
The Greek word translated “temptation” usually means “testing,” and perhaps that is the meaning here. God does allow us to be tested in the circumstances of life, and we can pray that we will be spared trials and tribulations. We also pray that God will keep us strong in our trials, so that we will not lose faith or give in to pressure.
Yet not all temptations stem from trouble or distress. In fact, our greatest temptations (and tests of our values) might come when life is going smoothly.
One traditional way of breaking down the sources of temptation is to focus on the WORLD, the FLESH, and the DEVIL.
-The WORLD, in terms of temptation, is a distorted view of reality that we often confront in our daily lives. 1 John 2:15-16 says, “Do not love the world…For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
In the world, we are bombarded by messages that might lead us into temptation.
We are told we have to have the newest gadgets, the best ride on the block, and the greatest vacations. We are manipulated by commercial messages, celebrities, and influencers. We are bombarded with subtle messages about how we should look, act, or feel, which are often contrary to God’s values and God’s commandments.
The world, through media, influencers, and cultural ideals, tolerates and even celebrates immorality. Materialism, depraved sexual acts, dishonesty in business, and self-centeredness are viewed as normal. We swim in a polluted pool, and we face pressure to not make waves or go against the current.
-The FLESH, in terms of temptation, is our own warped human nature, which distorts our judgment and tempts us. James 1:14-15 says, “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin.”
Even without external temptations, people seem bent on self-destruction. Why do we overeat? Why do we stay up too late? Why do we allow negative thoughts to drag us down? Why do we want so badly to seek revenge, when we know it would be sinful and destructive? It is our warped human nature.
-The DEVIL also tempts us.
We usually say, “Deliver us from evil.” The NIV translates, “Deliver us from the evil one.” Either translation is possible, as the devil is identified with evil.
Ephesians 6:12 says, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
The evil one is looking for some way to tempt us and drag us down. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
The devil looks for a weak spot.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the devil appealed to his hunger, his mission in life, and his need for security. The apostle Peter was tempted by his ambition and aggressive nature—potentially good things. Judas was tempted by his love of money.
The devil might come to us when we are tired, or we have had great success. He attacks weak spots in our character: insecurity, the need to please, or lack of self-control. He tries to corrupt our highest and deepest passions, to turn them bad. (For example, a person who really cares about other people might be tempted to gossip or manipulate.)
Temptation is part of life. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.” Everybody is tempted.
Being tempted is not a sin! Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus is able to “empathize with our weaknesses, [because he was] tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Although temptation is not necessarily sinful, we should avoid it as much as we can, so we pray, “Lead us not into temptation.” Sickness, emotional distress, war, or cruelty test us and could lead to temptation. Those temptations are not sinful, but they are evil. We ask God to spare us from those things, if it is his will. Yet sometimes God allows those times of testing.
No matter what the trial or temptation, we need God’s help to overcome it, and that is what he promises. 1 Corinthians 10:13 goes on to say, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we recognize that we need God’s help, in a world that is often evil and threatens to lead us into sin.
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
WHEN WE PRAY THIS WAY, WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO OVERCOMING TEMPTATION WITH GOD’S HELP.
Someone tells a story of a little boy praying, “Lord, make me a better boy. But if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it. I’m having a really good time like I am.” We will not win our battles with temptation without being committed to winning.
Victory over temptation begins before the temptation strikes.
***Imagine a man who is watching his weight. The night before he has to go to work, he stays up late, so when he drags himself out of bed in the morning, he feels sleep-deprived. He has no time for his morning breakfast of oatmeal and wheat toast. When he gets to work, he takes a detour past the break room, to see what is going on. Someone has brought doughnuts! Everyone is stuffing their faces, beckoning him to join them. Hesitantly, he steps up to the table. Ah…a blueberry doughnut. Blueberries are healthy, aren’t they? Of course, he will have just one, unless it is really good.**
Overcoming temptation requires life-change.
In the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “LEAD us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” That reminds me of something quite similar in the 23rd Psalm: “He LEADS me in paths of righteousness.” We pray that God will guide us along a righteous path, so that we can avoid sin.
How do we get on a RIGHTEOUS PATH?
-To overcome temptation, we seek to KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT.
When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, he responded to each of the three temptations by quoting Scripture. And not just any Scripture; verses from Deuteronomy 6 and 8. Had he been meditating on those verses? Because Jesus knew God’s will from Deuteronomy, he knew what was right, and he recognized that what the devil offered was not right.
Before temptation comes, we can decide on the moral values that will guide us, by studying the Bible, and asking God to guide us. Then, when temptation comes, we have guideposts on the path of righteousness.
-To overcome temptation, we CONTROL OUR ENVIRONMENT as much as possible.
If you can’t resist chocolate covered peanuts, it might be a good idea not to buy them and bring them home. If you can’t resist credit card debt, you might not want to engage in recreational shopping, either in the store or online. If you have a tendency to gossip or put people down, you might want to avoid people who enjoy those activities. If you find yourself getting drunk and acting stupid, you might want to avoid situations that encourage you to overindulge.
Our minds have an environment as well. Paul tells us to “bring every thought captive.” If we are feeling deprived or stressed, we are more vulnerable to temptations that offer temporary relief. If we are fostering anger in our hearts, we are vulnerable to malice or hatred. If we are feeling like total losers, who have disappointed God and might as well be as bad as we think we are, we should take those thoughts to God in repentance, for forgiveness and a fresh start.
In Romans 13:14, Paul says, “Do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Don’t imagine how sweet revenge might be. Don’t fantasize about sinful deeds, while thinking, “Of course, I would never actually do that.” Don’t make plans about how you could sin and get away with it.
-To overcome temptation, we TELL THE TRUTH about temptation and sin.
The words of the Lord’s Prayer are blunt: “Deliver us from EVIL.” We need to call out evil for what it is:
It is not just a careless word. Words have an impact for evil or good.
It is not just a harmless fantasy. Those lustful thoughts are evil.
It is not normal business practices. It is cheating.
It is not righteous indignation. The anger has generated bitterness and malice.
-To overcome temptation, we BUILD A LIFE that is too good to lose.
When temptation comes, we need to be able to balance the lure of temptation with the joy and satisfaction of what we might lose if we sin. Adultery might lead to losing a marriage,or the respect of children or grandchildren. Dishonest dealings might lead to lost self-respect. Careless words might destroy our witness in the world. Wasteful or reckless living might undercut our mission in life. Hidden sins might interrupt our fellowship with God.
Build the kind of life that, when temptation comes, the benefits it offers don’t compare with what you will gain by resisting: respect, stability, integrity, enduring satisfaction, and fellowship with God.
-To overcome temptation, we PLAY TO WIN.
It is not always easy to resist temptation! (You knew that already, right?) Doing what is right doesn’t always feel good, at the time. In fact, it can be a struggle. It takes commitment to overcome temptation.
Paul says in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Decide, in advance, that you will do what is right, even if it means being unhappy for a time.
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”
When we pray like this, we ask God to keep us from temptation, and to deliver us when it comes. And, we commit ourselves to avoiding temptation and resisting it when it comes.
As you look at your life today, what are the temptations that come to you? How can God help you? What can you do to help yourself? What is the path of righteousness, in which God wants to lead you?
