Matthew 6:13 (NKJV) 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.
Temptation can be translated as trial, testing, or evil seduction. The purpose of trial and testing is to test our morals and character in order to bring out the best in a difficult situation. In contrast, an evil seduction is to lure us into bringing out the worst. As good students of the Word, we should be able to divide between good and evil.
When we come to this portion of the prayer, we need to remember that Jesus can empathise and sympathise with us when we are tempted in this world. The weakness of the flesh can easily draw us away from Him. Therefore, we need to ask the Lord to help us to be delivered from temptation. There is a tussle between the desire of the flesh and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
James 1:13-14 (NKJV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
The devil knows our weaknesses and will play into our flesh’s desires. Temptation will come in different forms. It is designed to lure us away from God and lead us to follow the world’s ways. As we don’t want to offend God again after being forgiven, this is a good reminder not to succumb to temptation or make foolish decisions.
God cannot be tempted by evil; neither does He tempt anyone. It means that God is not the source of temptation. Temptation is the work of the devil and the desire of our flesh. God is a good God. Therefore, God has no darkness at all. As believers, we should rightly divide what is right and wrong, including what is the work of the devil. The devil kills, steals, and destroys, whereas God gives us an abundant life. We need to deal with our flesh and carnal inclinations daily. The Lord’s Prayer is a good daily reminder regarding who we are in Christ and what we can do in and through Him who lives in us.
We will face temptation just as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Temptation can lure us to do something evil and wrong, but we can ask God to keep us away and empower us from within to walk away from the people who tempt us or the places of temptation. We can walk in victory through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the new creation in our spirit.
Sermon Series: Lord, teach us how to pray (part 2)
救我们脱离凶恶
马太福音 6:13 不叫我们遇见试探,救我们脱离凶恶。因为国度、权柄、荣耀,全是你的,直到永远。阿们。
试探可以翻译为考验、测试或邪恶的诱惑。考验和测试的目的是为了在困难的情况下测试我们的道德和品格,以陶造出最好的品格和性情,而邪恶的诱惑是为了引诱我们乃至于激发出至暗的邪恶。作为神话语的好学生,我们应该能够区分善恶。
当我们来到祷告的这一部分时,我们需要记住,当我们受到世界试探时,耶稣是能够同情并体谅我们的。肉体的软弱能够轻易就把我们从祂那里拐走;因此,我们要求主帮助我们脱离试探。在肉体的欲望与圣灵在我们生命中的运行之间会有一场厮打。
雅各书 1:13-14 人被试探,不可说:“我是被神试探”;因为神不能被恶试探,他也不试探人。但各人被试探,乃是被自己的私欲牵引、诱惑的。
魔鬼知道我们的弱点,会将我们肉体的欲望玩弄于鼓掌之间。试探会以不同的形式出现。它旨在引诱我们远离神,带领我们走世俗的道路。我们不想在被宽恕之后再次得罪神。这是一个很好的提醒,不要屈服于试探或做愚蠢的决定。
神不能被恶试探,祂也不试探任何人。这意味着试探的源头不能来自神。这是魔鬼和我们肉体欲望的工作。神是美善的;因此,在祂没有任何黑暗。作为信徒,我们应该正确区分什么是对的,什么是错的,包括什么是魔鬼的工作。魔鬼杀害、偷窃和毁坏,而神却赐予我们丰盛的生命。我们每天都需要对付自己的肉体和肉体欲望倾向。主祷文是一个很好的每日提醒,提醒我们在基督里的身份,以及我们藉着住在我们里面的祂所能够做的。
我们都将面对试探,就像耶稣在旷野中曾受过试探一样。试探可以引诱我们做一些邪恶和错误的事情。我们可以求神保守我们远离并从内心赋予我们力量,让我们远离那些引诱我们的人或地方。通过圣灵的赋能和我们灵魂中的新造,我们可以所向披靡。
讲章系列:主啊,教我们如何祷告(第二部分)
Image Source:pixabay.com