1 year ago

Lead Us Not into Temptation

By Pastor Gary Wayne

Text: James 1:12-17, Matthew 6:9-13
Why pray ver.13 when Jas 1:13 says it is impossible for God to tempt me?

Jam.1:12-17
Ver.12 when we endure temptation, we are blessed and rewarded.

Ver.13-14
When we are tempted it is because we are drawn away by our fleshly desires.
Often the original desire can be ok, but the enemy turns it into temptation.
When something captures our focus, often the enemy uses that moment to tempt us.

God doesn’t tempt us the enemy does, and in scripture Satan is called the tempter.
Mat.4:3 “Now when the tempter came to Him…”
1 Thess.3:5 “Least by some means the tempter had tempt you…”

Throughout the NT, the word temptation in other translations is often translated using other words – such as testing or trials.

Jam.1:2-3
The word for trials, and testing is the same Greek word for temptation.

Would God ever lead us into a trial or a test? Yes. Why?
Because the trying, testing of my faith produces patience. V.4 “Perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

But God only does this for my good – to build my character to handle the blessings He wants to give into my life.
If my character is not strong enough, His blessings would hurt me.

But our enemy the devil is an opportunist, and when we are weak, he is there at times of trial to turn it into a moment of temptation to hurt us.
I think this prayer could be prayed: “God protect me from the evil one during times of trials.”

Mat.4:1 “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

Who was leading Jesus? The Spirit of God.
Where did He lead Him? Into the wilderness.

Why did He lead Him into the wilderness? To be tempted by the devil.

How I see this is that God led His own Son into a time of trials and testing, and Satan took advantage of the moment when Jesus was physically tired, and hungry and began to tempt Him to sin.

Why did God do this to Jesus? I think - because Jesus was human and He also needed His personal character to be strengthened through testing like we do.

God didn’t lead Jesus into a place to fail, but to succeed.
God allowed this for our good.

Jesus succeeding is a benefit to us.

Lk.4:14 “Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit.” Jesus came out stronger after this time of testing.

Hebrews 4:15-16
Heb 2:18 “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” NIV

Jesus can help me when I face temptation and trials.
When you are being tempted by the enemy to fail, ask Jesus for help.
Ask, “What did You do when you faced this?

He was tempted with lust, He was tempted with pride. He was tempted with fear and doubt. He was tempted with unforgiveness, He was tempted in all points.

Promise Scriptures for us concerning temptation:
1Co 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
2Ti 4:18 “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom….”
2Pe 2:9 “… the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…”

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, and I think Jesus knowing how the enemy takes advantage of us in times of weakness and testing, has us ask the Father for His help in times when we face temptation.

Mt 6:13 “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

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