Matthew 6:13, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
The final exercise in “The Lord’s Prayer Workout” is to ask God to lead you not into temptation, but deliver you from the evil one. The first part of the prayer is asking God to not let us go into temptation without Him giving us a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). The source of temptation comes to the believer in two main ways; first, from the outside forces of the devil and his demons (Ephesians 6:12) and second, from the inside forces of the fleshly body (James 1:13-15).
When a believer knows the voice of God and is led in the paths of righteousness, by default, they will not let anything lead them into temptation. The prayer for God to not let us go into temptation is really a prayer for God to lead us into righteousness. The consistent pattern for disciples is to live without sin because they were made holy to live holy.
The second part of the prayer is to be delivered from the evil one. This prayer is important because the devil, like a roaring lion, is always seeking to devour God’s people (1 Peter 5:8). However, when Jesus died on the cross He destroyed all the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). The moment you were born again, Jesus made you more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). You don’t have to fear the devil or his attacks “because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Even if you do sin by leaving God’s path of righteousness, Jesus is always there to deliver you from Satan’s bondage when you repent and ask for forgiveness.
Billy Sunday once preached, “Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in.” That is why all disciples should pray to follow God’s righteous paths and if they should sin, they need to repent and be delivered from the evil one. God desires for all His people to be holy and live free!
Reflection
Do you believe you can live holy and free from the power of the evil one?
Action
- Ask God to reveal any ways you may be under the power of sin or the devil.
- Pray for God to lead you and keep you on the paths of righteousness (free from sin) and to always deliver you from the power (snares and traps) of the devil.
- Intercede for those you know who are under the power of the devil and trapped in sin. Pray for their salvation and freedom.
