Ask God for protection and to not be led into temptation
Prayer is more than just words
We must ask for forgiveness
Quote from Spurgeon
We should not want to practice sin
If you continue in sin / use the forgiveness of God as a licence to sin
You have not known God
Your heart has not been transformed
The one who asks for pardon asks for protection
This prayer is an acknowledgment of our weakness
To pray this prayer sincerely – is a sign you have a renewed heart
A wonderful evidence that God is working in your life
Three aspects:
Distance
Danger
Deliverance
Distance
God does not lead people into temptation
God cannot be tempted by evil and does not tempt anyone (James 1:13)
Some commentators say the word can be translated ‘trial’
Do you understand – ‘do not lead us into temptation’
Give us distance from scenarios that could harm us – examples
Give us distance from evil
An acknowledgment that we need God/Jesus lest we be led astray – examples
We need to pray this prayer
"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation" – Matt 26:41, Mark 14:38
They did not pray, then temptation came, Peter denied Christ
The devil can come during the day and night
Example of Joseph – Gen 37
Example of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego
Examples in work, social media, gossip
Distance is important – examples
Sometimes we need to take radical action
The sins within
Reading: James 1:12-15
Christ will help us to overcome our sinful nature and temptation
To be tempted is not sin
Not just sin ‘out there’ but temptation from within
Danger
"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection" – 1 Cor 9:27
A great preacher and missionary – the Apostle Paul
He declines sinful appetites
He says no to sin and yes to righteousness
"Pray for us, that … we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men" – 2 Thess 3:1-2
Sin within and sin without
The devil attacks Christians
The devil sometimes comes as a angel of light
Peter took Jesus aside and Christ rebukes Him – "get behind me satan"
He comes in the most unexpected of means/persons
We must be on our guard
Examples
The ugly effects of sin
Poison, dog’s vomit, a deadly disease
Do not play with sin – "the devil is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour"
The devil is a real foe with power
Deliverance
The Lord keeps His promises
"The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom" – 2 Tim 4:18
"The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations" – 2 Pet 2:9
Example of King Edward
The Lord loves us and will not try us beyond what we can bear
The Lord cares for us
We can confidently pray ‘deliver us from evil’ – because of the Captain of our salvation
Jesus was tempted for 40 days in the wilderness – explanation
Jesus had no sinful nature and no sinful thoughts
The devil attacked Him from without
Jesus was without sin
We have the victory in Christ so we can pray ‘deliver us from evil’
He does deliver His people
Quote from song: Join all the glorious names
Closing Remarks
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" – 1 Cor 10:12
Only God can keep us
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; 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 10:13
God will provide
Pray ‘do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil’
