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June 3
THE LORD’S PRAYER PART 8
( Matthew 6:9-13 )
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION
-Lead us not into temptation! What does this statement mean? This statement must be rightly divided and understood
in the context and light of other scriptures concerning temptation. At first glance it appears to be difficult to understand
this statement. This is due to the fact that there are many scriptures that declare that God does lead man into seasons of
trial, testing, and temptation. Let us take a look at some of these scriptures, attempting to reconcile all the thoughts that
pertain to temptation. This will cause us to properly understand God, man, and the purpose for our temptation.
-Matthew 4:1 states, … Then was Jesus LED UP OF THE SPIRIT into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil
… 1st Corinthians 10:13 states, … There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: But
God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that you may be able to bear it … 1st Peter 1:6 states, … Wherein you greatly rejoice, though
now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much
more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at
the appearing of Jesus Christ: … 1st Peter 4:12 states, … Beloved, think it not strange concerning
your fiery trial which is to try ( same Greek word that was translated tempt, or temptation in other areas ) you, as though
some strange thing happened unto you: … 2nd Peter 2:9 states, … The Lord knows how to deliver the godly
out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: … Revelation 3:10 states, …
Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all
the world, to TRY THEM that dwell upon the earth … James 1:12 states, … Blessed is the man that endures temptation:
for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him …
According to J. Preston Eby:
-"The apostle James tells us that God does not tempt anyone, yet the scriptures speak more than once of men
who were tempted of God. The apparent contradiction vanishes when we remember that the word is commonly used with two meanings
and covers two distinct spheres of thought. When we speak of temptation we most often think of an enticement to commit
sin. We are tempted when we are attracted to that which is wrong, or is beneath our privileges, contrary to God’s will,
or inconsistent with His character, and sometimes the scriptures use the term in that sense. This is precisely the case when
James tells us that God does not tempt any man. "For God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man: but
every man is tempted (with evil) when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:13-14). The subject here
is being tempted with evil, or seduced to commit evil, and GOD DOES NOT SO TEMPT ANY MAN. God does not solicit people
to do wrong. But the underlying meaning of the word is more specific than that and the Greek word in the New Testament indicates
the idea of trial, testing, or proof — that which tests or examines or proves the moral or spiritual quality,
character, condition or standing of a person. In this sense it is perfectly true that OUR HEAVENLY FATHER DOES LEAD US INTO
TEMPTATION! There are times when the ways of God refuse to be confined within the bounds of man’s logic. They make statements
that appear to be mutually contradictory but are nonetheless true. The Lord says, "You need to be led into temptation," and
He also says, "You need to pray, Lead us not into temptation." Both of these statements are true! "Lead us not into temptation"
is not a cry to escape temptation and testing. It is the longing within every son to PASS THE TEST, to pass EVERY TEST, to
pass the LAST GREAT TEST, to obtain the victory at last over every vestige of the world, the flesh and the Devil. We are walking
out and fulfilling our period of trials and chastisement, and are being prepared by those trials. The hope and promise of
full salvation is our goal, for Father has chosen us to receive that promise. This prayer articulates the desire in the breast
of every son to come at last to the full stature of Jesus Christ, to be a full overcomer, to have completely and only the
mind of Christ, to stand in the power of the resurrection as the image and likeness of God. It asks to be led BEYOND TEMPTATION.
It anticipates the formation of the eternal, unchangeable, untemptable nature of God as our very own reality. Almighty
Father! Lead us not into temptation, lead us beyond the temptable realm, deliver us from all evil, let every lesson be fully
learned, that we may stand on mount Zion with the Father’s name written in our foreheads. This is the goal and the consummation
of the life of sonship. This is the power and the glory of the Kingdom of God." ( To Be The Lord’s Prayer, J.
Preston Eby ) -LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION!-
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