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Lead Us Not Into Temptation


I have to admit that it can be mind-boggling when I learn something new that changes the dynamics toward understanding something I have been accustomed to knowing nearly all my life. Especially, if it involves “re-thinking” parts of a fairly adaptable “memorization” from the church such as Psalm 23, The Apostle’s Creed, and even the Lord’s Prayer. 

One such encounter led our church into a full-hour discussion as our Sunday School lesson. It was part of the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:13, “And do not lead us into temptation….” What, exactly, does it really mean to “not lead us into temptation?” 

I found is that it does not literally mean “keep me from being tempted.” The key word here is “temptation” which means “trial” or “proving.” It has a stronger, spiritual meaning than a mere whimsical approach such as “help me resist the temptation to eat another slice of cake!” It also puts to rest that God is “messing with us” to see if we “take the bait” and choose to sin. 

James 1:13, “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but 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; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” 

God’s intentions are for our growth and maturity as well as to strengthen our faith while deepening our relationship with Him. Trials and temptations are not allowed for our demise or destruction. It is God’s desire for us to draw near to Him and through that relationship allow, by faith, to walk with us through each and every trial. As hard as it may be at the time, we must rest and trust that God has our best in mind by allowing such trials. 

James 1:2-3, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” 

1 Peter 1:6-7, “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 

God wants us to choose what is right. Sometimes, our resolve needs to be tested and tried to build a resistance towards anything that could entice us to be less than God created us to be. Our hearts desire is to please God and honor Him by choosing righteousness over an easy-fix-solution that is not of His plans or will for us. It has been said, “An untested faith is a weak faith, compared with one that has passed through a searching test and emerged victorious.”

It is sometimes difficult and confusing when trying to fathom why God will allow testing and trials to come about in our lives. We can succumb to bitterness, resentment and self-pity. That, is yet, another trial to overcome “self.” Instead of immediately blaming God and accusing Him of being cruel, take a step back, take a deep breath, and ask God for help by asking what He wants you to learn through the entire process of walking in this trial. 

The bottom line is faith! Is it in God? Can we accept the path which God knows to be His will for us? Can we choose resilience and trust in order to grow, mature, and strengthen our faith and relationship with our Heavenly Father? 

Many, I’ve seen become impatient, bitter, or resentful for the challenges and trials and wish nothing more than to “be rescued” or to “get out” of the situation as quickly as possible. Instead of patiently learning the lessons that could have matured and strengthened them, they, instead, turned to “self” and the world to get the “quick fix” “answers” that were more immediate and attractive. By doing so, what appeared to be the answer was actually more trouble and made things worse than ever before. 

We can sometimes be so fixated on our trials that we miss the lessons that will grow us out of the trial. Worldly ways of the “quick fix” will never offer solutions that give us the wisdom to prevent further disasters or messes later in life. There is always a way to “learn our way out.” 

1 Corinthians10:13, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” God wants you to be victorious in and through any and all trials. 

So, the next time we pray the Lord ’s Prayer and ask “lead us not into temptation” may it be our resolve and our choice to stand firm in the times of trials so that our faith grows stronger and we become even more mature in our faith. By submitting to God in these trials, learning from Him, and letting go of “self,” we will soon see the truth of James 4:7, that we are able to, more than ever before, “Resist the devil…” and give even broader room for the trials to become our source of victory! 

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