Day 6: Into Temptation {The Lord’s Prayer}
Would God tempt us? That’s what this passage seems to imply….
Lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean, that God could possibly lead us towards temptation? Surely there’s more to this story. And there is. See James 1:
Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I’m being tempted by God’, for God cannot be tempted by evil and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.
This passage makes it perfectly clear — God is not tempted, nor is He our temptor. Rather this passage means more along the lines of “Keep us from that which is tempting”.
One special promise the Lord gives us is in 1 Corinthians 10, which says,
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
The Lord is not in the business of dangling temptation before us. He’s in the practice of saving us from ourselves & our strong, ungodly desires — from those things which are too appealing to us & that would ruin us.
1) What’re some temptations we face? List some of yours.
- Putting things before God
- Pride
- Gossip
- Spending too much money
- Being selfish
- Vanity
- Wasting precious time
- Taking poor care of yourself
- Doubt
2) Next, what tempting scenaries do you often find yourself in?
- Being alone often?
- Scrolling through social media?
- Watching certain TV series on Netflix?
- Certain people at work / church / in your neighborhood?
- Parties & bars & after-work happy hours?
- Magazines & commercials advertising ‘more’?
- Surrounding yourself with friends who disrespect God & His authority?
3) How can you steer clear of these? Ask for His help to lead you far from them.
He is big enough to save us from ourselves in weak moments.
I love what Pastor Craig Groeschel recently taught on purity in marriage. He said that “Strong Craig” safeguards “Weak Craig” from temptation with numerous layers of accountability & filters so that if/when “Weak Craig” rears his head, he won’t have opportunity to pursue impurity. This is genius! And honest. There’s a reason he pastors one of the largest churches in America. He actively avoids temptation, taking practical steps to protect himself before it strikes. We can do the same!
Finally, remember this key scripture below. Our Father defines true religion two-fold. Let’s not lose sight of His other priority {loving others, especially the down-&-out} while we pursue holiness. After all, it’s much easier to maintain our integrity when we’re too busy doing good on the earth!
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
— James 1:27