Lead us not into temptation

Read Matthew 6:13

‘And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.'(NIV)

We are the meat in the sandwich when it comes to living for Jesus. His Spirit urges us one way and the evil one suggests a very different way. Little wonder we so often feel worn out! Jesus recognises the reality of this battle as he tells us to pray against the scheming of the evil one.

Satan will never give up trying to seduce us to live independently of God. Despite 0what it seems,Jesus is not suggesting God can ever tempt us. He is asking us to pray we do not yield to temptation,that we do not fail the test when it comes our way. He knows we will face such tests and the pressure is on us to choose wisely which way we will go.

It is good to pray this phrase of Jesus’ prayer each day. Certain situations will confront us which will challenge us to either stay true to God or decide we know best. Will we sink or will we swim? Will we stay faithful or will we betray him?

Our prayer is that we will not fail. And we say such a prayer as those who recognise the war has been won even if battles are still being fought. We are on the winning side. We don’t approach each day as pathetic helpless victims but as those who lean utterly on the victory of Jesus. Whatever tests face us each day,he is more than equal to them.

Blessings
David Reay