Day 6 – Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From the Evil One
There is a reason Jesus taught us to pray these words every day.
Not because we should live in fear.
But because we live in a world where temptation is real.
Have you ever stopped to think about the Garden of Eden?
Adam and Eve had everything.
They walked with God.
They lived in perfect fellowship with Him.
They were surrounded by abundance.
Every tree in the garden was available to them…
except one.
Yet Satan never tempted them with everything God had already given them.
He tempted them with the one thing they could not have.
That has never changed.
The enemy rarely begins by attacking what we already possess.
He distracts us with what we don’t have.
He whispers,
“If only…”
“If only you had more money…”
“If only your marriage looked different…”
“If only God would answer your prayer…”
“If only you ignored this one command…”
Temptation often begins with distraction.
When our eyes leave God’s goodness, they quickly become fixed on what He has withheld.
Sometimes temptation isn’t dramatic.
Sometimes it is the habit we cannot seem to break.
Sometimes it is bitterness.
Sometimes pride.
Sometimes gossip.
Sometimes pornography.
Sometimes alcohol.
Sometimes worry.
Sometimes control.
Sometimes an unhealthy relationship.
Sometimes simply believing the lies the enemy whispers about our identity.
Whatever form it takes, temptation always promises something it can never truly deliver.
Scripture never tells us to underestimate the enemy.
Jesus certainly didn’t.
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he even quoted Scripture.
That reminds me of something very important.
Knowing a few Bible verses is not enough.
We need to know God’s Word so well that we recognise truth from deception.
That is exactly what Jesus did.
Every temptation was answered with the truth of God’s Word.
Not emotion.
Not opinion.
Truth.
The Bible tells us that Satan is:
The father of lies.
A roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
The thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy.
Those descriptions are serious.
But the Bible also tells us something even greater.
Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.
That changes everything.
So how do we prepare ourselves?
Paul gives us the answer in Ephesians 6.
We put on the whole armour of God.
Truth.
Righteousness.
The Gospel of peace.
Faith.
Salvation.
The Word of God.
Prayer.
Every single piece points us back to Jesus.
James also reminds us:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7 (NKJV)
Notice the order.
First…
Submit to God.
Only then…
Resist the devil.
Our greatest protection has never been our own strength.
It has always been our closeness to Christ.
Perhaps that is why Jesus taught us to pray,
“Lead us not into temptation.”
He wasn’t saying the Father tempts us.
James tells us God does not tempt anyone (James 1:13).
Rather, we are asking our Father to guide our steps away from places where we are vulnerable.
To give us wisdom before we fall.
To strengthen us before temptation comes.
To help us recognise the enemy’s lies before we believe them.
To remind us that there is always a way of escape.
Because God is faithful.
He will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.
And when temptation comes…
He has already prepared a way out.
Reflection
- Where am I most vulnerable to temptation?
- What lies have I been believing instead of God’s truth?
- Am I spending enough time in God’s Word to recognise deception?
- Is there an area where I need to submit more fully to God before trying to resist temptation?
Prayer
Father,
Thank You that You never leave me to fight alone.
Strengthen me through Your Spirit.
Teach me to recognise temptation before I give in to it.
Fill my heart with Your truth so that I can recognise the enemy’s lies.
Help me to put on the whole armour of God every day.
Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus.
When I am weak, remind me that Your strength is made perfect in weakness.
Lead me away from temptation and deliver me from the evil one.
For my victory has never been found in myself…
It has always been found in Christ.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Today’s Truth
The safest place from temptation is the presence of God.