Today is the fifth in a series of seven devotionals examining the Lord's Prayer.
“And lead us not into temptation…” (Matthew 6:13)
The word, “tempt,” or “temptation,” is used in two ways in the Bible. It is used for solicitation to do evil. It is used also to test, as in proving us. Jesus was tempted by Satan to do evil in the beginning of His ministry. Satan also tempted Eve to do evil.
When you and I are tempted to commit sin it is not the Lord tempting us. James 1:13 says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
The word, “tempt,” or “temptation,” is also used as in testing or proving us. The old song says, “Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder, why it should be thus all the day long…” The Pharisees came to Jesus on different occasions, tempting Him with trick questions, testing Him.
The child of God, being led by the Master’s hand, makes a request that the Father guard him from either of the two kinds of temptation. The Psalmist, David, said, “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3) James says , “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (testing ); knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2-3) God will not tempt us to do evil, and if He tests or tries us or allows us to be tested, it is for our good.
No comments:
Post a Comment