We come to the final part of the disciple's prayer which was the Lord Jesus' response to the disciples request, "Lord, teach us to pray." Through prayer we are simply lining ourselves up with what God has already promised. Today, we are considering the last part of this model prayer, "Lead us not into temptation."
In James 1:13 we read, "Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one." This request is best translated, "Lord: Be my protector. Don't let me get into a situation that will devastate me, that will ruin me. Be my rock, my shelter, and my refuge." This is the cry of the heart that knows itself too well.
God doesn't lead us into temptation, He does lead us into trials. The Lord Jesus is telling us, ask Him to do what He's already committed to do and that is to protect us. You see, God doesn't tempt anybody, but for our sanctification and usefulness in the lives of others, we have to be tested. And every time we pass a test triumphantly, we get a little stronger and more useful. God doesn't tempt us, He strengthens our dependency upon Him.
In a little different sense, the Lord Jesus is saying, "Don't let Satan have his way. Don't let Satan have the final word." God's purpose in allowing trials in our lives is underscored in Job 23:10, "When He's tried me, I'll come forth like gold." The key is who is defining me, God or Satan?
The word "temptation," peirasmos in the Greek, is a neutral word with no moral connotation whatsoever. It just means a trial, a test, a temptation. It could be translated, "Lead us not into trials that will be overwhelming to us." This is a prayer of protection.
The word "peirasmos" describes either a process of perfecting trials or debilitating temptations. The key is how to respond to these useful yet unwanted guests. So, when we pray, we ask the Lord to ready us to face the issues that are coming in life for the sake of the gospel.
We know that trials are a part of our spiritual growth. In 1 Peter 5:10, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." In addition, In James 1:2 we read, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds..."
We cannot mature in our faith, our heart's ability to see God, apart from suffering. But, Lord, keep these things tests that perfect me and don't let them become temptations that destroy me.
Another way to look at this request is, "Lord, protect us from running in the direction of sin in our trials." Another way of putting it is: "Give us the necessary strength that we might not find our trials turning into temptations." We pray preemptively against the things that could careen our faith.
