The Lord's Prayer - Lesson 10: Do Not Lead Us into Temptation but Deliver Us from the Evil

The Lord’s Prayer

Lesson 10: Do Not Lead Us into Temptation, but Deliver Us from the Evil

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name;

Your kingdom come;

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors;

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil.

For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

Matthew 6:13a Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 26:41a Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This petition of the Lord's Prayer can have a broad application. Temptation may be enticement to sin. It may be trials, testing and difficulties. The evil may be the evil within our own heart tempting us to sin over which we have not yet gained the victory. The evil may be things without, in the world, upon which our inward evil desires may feed. The evil may be troubles and persecutions brought upon us by sinful men in the world. The evil may be sufferings and difficulties that come as part of living in this world. These things come not just upon you or me, but upon all God's children.

Temptation and evil press upon us during our life here on earth. Time and again we find ourselves in need of strength and help that we do not possess. Our Father in heaven knows our situation, and sees our need for help. Through his Son, Jesus Christ, he teaches us to pray to him for help and deliverance.

It should be understood that our heavenly Father's answer to this prayer most often includes some part for us to play.

The Lord's Prayer teaches us both how to pray and how to live.

What does it mean to pray “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil”?

Before we consider what we are asking in this prayer, we will look at what we are not asking. We are not asking God to deliver us from the consequences of sin while we continue on in the sin. Such a petition is an abomination to God (Proverbs 15:8).

We are asking our Father in heaven to deliver us from two evils, the evil within and the evil without. Regarding the evil within, throughout scripture we are called in many ways to repent, to turn away from sin and turn to God and his ways. We are called to put off the old man with its practices and put on the new man created in righteousness. We are called to cast away our transgressions and put on a new heart and a new spirit. In this petition of the Lord's Prayer, we are asking our Father in heaven to help us in this working out of our salvation. We are asking for help in the daily work of renewing our mind, and we are asking for help when temptation is knocking at the door of our heart.

Regarding the evil without, we are asking our Father to deliver his children from the evil which sinful men and the world bring upon us. As the Psalmist confessed, If the Lord had not been on our side, they would have swallowed us alive (Psalm 124:2).

In all this, we ask not just for ourselves, but for all of God's children, for our brothers and sisters in the world who are undergoing the same suffering (1 Peter 5:9), whether it be from evil within or evil without.

How does this petition teach us to live?

“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn’t sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). While this may be true, our Father in heaven has not called us to remain in that sin. Rather, we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) knowing that it is God who is at work within us.

In this petition, Jesus teaches us to flee from temptation. As Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife, so we must flee from temptation when it comes (Genesis 39:12). In fleeing from temptation, we must pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace (2 Timothy 2:22).

We also learn that we should work out our salvation not just at the time of temptation, but (and perhaps even especially) prior to the time of temptation. Jesus exhorted his disciples then, and still us today, to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. Such preparation may include prayer, meditation upon appropriate scripture (Psalm 119:11), confessing sin to others (James 5:16), making choices that will lead to less tempting circumstances, etc.

This petition teaches us to receive the help and directions God gives in answer to our prayer. Perhaps we are inclined to wish for an instant answer to this prayer (ie. Wave a magic wand and presto – see 2 Kings 5:11)), especially as it relates to deliverance from the evil within our own hearts. More often, God answers this prayer through other means, such as some of the preparations mentioned in the paragraph above. To pray this prayer rightly, we must be willing to receive and act upon the answer our Father in heaven gives.

In this pray, we learn that we should trust our Father in heaven. We should cast all our anxieties upon him, because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:6). We learn to not be anxious or afraid as we see that God is ruling over all, and will work all things together for good to those who love him.

Jesus continues to teach us in this petition that Christians are part of one and the same family, and that as such, we should have a love, concern and care for one another.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Begin by reminding the children that we are learning about the Lord's Prayer, and that this lesson is about the sixth petition (or request) in the Lord's Prayer - “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil.”

Ask the children if they know what temptation means, and if they have ever been tempted. What are some things that your are tempted by? What are some things from which we might need to be delivered? As you discuss such questions with them, steer them to the idea of evil within ourselves and evil without in the world.

The stories below (2 Chronicles 20:1-30; Jeremiah 38:6-13) can be used to illustrate the idea of asking for help and deliverance from evil. Jehoshaphat asked God to deliver him and God's people from a large invading army. In the second story, Ebedmelech asked the king on behalf of the prophet Jeremiah for deliverance. In both cases, the deliverance involved some action on their parts.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

2 Chronicles 20:1-30 [3] Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and set himself to seek to Yahweh. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. [4] Judah gathered themselves together, to seek help from Yahweh. They came out of all the cities of Judah to seek Yahweh. [5] Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in Yahweh’s house, before the new court; [6] and he said, “Yahweh, the God of our fathers, aren’t you God in heaven? Aren’t you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so that no one is able to withstand you. [7] Didn’t you, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham your friend forever? [8] They lived in it, and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying, [9] ‘If evil comes on us—the sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this house, and before you, (for your name is in this house), and cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ [10] Now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and didn’t destroy them; [11] behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. [12] Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are on you.” [13] All Judah stood before Yahweh, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

This story shows us the king praying for himself and the whole nation to be delivered. God heard and answered their prayer. While the glory of the victory must go to God, yet God still told them that they must go out and face the enemy before deliverance would come. [note: I have only included Jehoshaphat's prayer above. The intention is to read the whole story, not just the his prayer.]

Jeremiah 38:6-13 [6] Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchijah the king’s son, that was in the court of the guard: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. In the dungeon there was no water, but mire; and Jeremiah sank in the mire. [7] Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin), [8] Ebedmelech went out of the king’s house, and spoke to the king, saying, [9] My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is likely to die in the place where he is, because of the famine; for there is no more bread in the city. [10] Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from here thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he dies. [11] So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took there rags and worn-out garments, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. [12] Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, Put now these rags and worn-out garments under your armpits under the cords. Jeremiah did so. [13] So they drew up Jeremiah with the cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the guard.

This is a good illustration of one man praying for another man to be delivered.

More Stories and Examples:

Joshua 7:7-15 [7] Joshua said, “Alas, Lord Yahweh, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? I wish that we had been content and lived beyond the Jordan! [8] Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after that Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! [9] For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and will surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. What will you do for your great name?” [10] Yahweh said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you fallen on your face like that? [11] Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived. They have even put it among their own stuff. [12] Therefore the children of Israel can’t stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will not be with you any more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. [13] “Get up! Sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, “There is a devoted thing in your midst, Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted thing from among you.” [14] “‘In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. It shall be that the tribe which Yahweh selects shall come near by families. The family which Yahweh selects shall come near by households. The household which Yahweh selects shall come near man by man. [15] It shall be, that he who is taken with the devoted thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of Yahweh, and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’”

Joshua did not understand their defeat at the hands of Ai, following their victory over Jericho. It seems he assumed the evil was without, something outside (perhaps the strength of their enemies). God hears his prayer for deliverance and gives an answer. In this case, God tells Joshua that the evil is within, and that they must address that issue if they would gain the victory over the evil without.

Psalm 51:10-13 [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. [11] Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. [13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you.

In this Psalm, David does seek forgiveness for his sins (in the matter of Bathsheba and Uriah). He goes further in these verses, seeking a clean heart and right spirit. Desiring to walk again in the right path, he desires a heart and spirit that will help him so to walk. He seeks deliverance from the evil within.

Psalm 141:1-5 [1] Yahweh, I have called on you. Come to me quickly! Listen to my voice when I call to you. [2] Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice. [3] Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips. [4] Don’t incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity. Don’t let me eat of their delicacies. [5] Let the righteous strike me, it is kindness; let him reprove me, it is like oil on the head; don’t let my head refuse it; Yet my prayer is always against evil deeds.

The Psalmist asks God to deliver him from the evil within, from temptation and sin. Even if God answers his prayer by sending the righteous to strike and reprove him, he will continue to ask God for such help against the evil within.

Proverbs 30:7-9 [7] “Two things I have asked of you; don’t deny me before I die: [8] Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me; [9] lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’ or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

With a specific application, this prayer is in keeping with Jesus' words, “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil.”

Luke 18:1-8 [1] He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up, [2] saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God, and didn’t respect man. [3] A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’ [4] He wouldn’t for a while, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God, nor respect man, [5] yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’” [6] The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says. [7] Won’t God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them? [8] I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Jesus encourages us to cry out to God day and night for deliverance.

Acts 4:21-31 [21] When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done. [22] For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old. [23] Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. [24] When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; [25] who by the mouth of your servant, David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? [26] The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’ [27] “For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together [28] to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen. [29] Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, [30] while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.” [31] When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Peter and John were taken into custody by the Jewish leaders because of the miracle and their preaching in the name of Jesus. While they were not physically beaten at this time, they were threatened. Upon their release, they brought this threat to the church, and then they all brought this matter to God. While on one hand, it may be said that they sought deliverance from sinful men, on the other hand, they sought deliverance from any fear of man within themselves that would keep them from proclaiming the word of God. They sought deliverance for God's glory. God heard and answered their prayer.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 [7] By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. [8] Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. [9] He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

The apostle Paul prayed for deliverance from the thorn in his flesh. God did hear and answer this prayer, but perhaps not as expected. In this case, the Lord did not remove the thorn, but promised deliverance through his grace.

Other Verses:

Deuteronomy 22:23-27 [23] If there is a young lady who is a virgin pledged to be married to a husband, and a man finds her in the city, and lies with her; [24] then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones; the lady, because she didn’t cry, being in the city; and the man, because he has humbled his neighbor’s wife. So you shall remove the evil from your midst. [25] But if the man finds the lady who is pledged to be married in the field, and the man forces her, and lies with her; then only the man who lay with her shall die; [26] but to the lady you shall do nothing. There is in the lady no sin worthy of death; for as when a man rises against his neighbor, and kills him, even so is this matter; [27] for he found her in the field, the pledged to be married lady cried, and there was no one to save her.

As God's children, we are engaged to marry the bridegroom, Christ Jesus. When temptations come, are we like the woman in the field who cried out for help, or are we like the woman in the city who consented to the temptation?

Psalms 19:13-14 [13] Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. [14] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.

Psalm 23:1-6 [1] Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. [4] Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. [6] Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.

Psalm 124:1-8 [1] If it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, let Israel now say, [2] if it had not been Yahweh who was on our side, when men rose up against us; [3] then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; [4] then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; [5] then the proud waters would have gone over our soul. [6] Blessed be Yahweh, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth. [7] Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped. [8] Our help is in Yahweh’s name, who made heaven and earth.

The Psalmist praises the Lord because he has delivered his people from the evil.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

If we allow pride to grow in our hearts and minds, temptation and sin is sure to gain the victory over us.

Proverbs 24:10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.

This can also be translated: “[If] you slacken, [then] in the day of trouble your strength is small.” This is a warning against waiting until trouble (temptation) comes to begin dealing with it. If we are slack, if we do not deal with our inclination to sin before the temptation comes in force, then our strength to deal with it when it comes will be small. Jesus exhorted his disciples to watch and pray lest you enter into temptation. They were to watch and pray before the temptation even came, so that when it came, they would not enter into it.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn’t sin.

Ezekiel 18:30-32 [30] Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, everyone according to his ways, says the Lord Yahweh. Return, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. [31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, in which you have transgressed; and make yourself a new heart and a new spirit: for why will you die, house of Israel? [32] For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies, says the Lord Yahweh: therefore turn yourselves, and live.

Matthew 26:40-41 [40] He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? [41] Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Luke 22:39-46 [39] He came out, and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him. [40] When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.” [41] He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, [42] saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” [43] An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. [44] Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. [45] When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief, [46] and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.” (see story John 5:1-14)

John 8:10-11 [10] Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?” [11] She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”

The last three petitions of the Lord's prayer seem to follow one another for a reason. The Lord's promise of daily bread is to those who seek first his kingdom. As we pray this, we may see that we have not sought first his kingdom and righteousness as we should have and could have. So we humble ourselves again, seeking mercy and forgiveness from our Father in heaven. Lest our repentance, confession and plea for forgiveness be found only empty words, we humble ourselves again and seek our Father's help to escape the evil within our own hearts and the evil in the world around that would draw us on to sin. May we seek for the grace and strength to walk with a clear conscience before him who said, “Go, and sin no more.”

Romans 13:11-14 [11] Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed. [12] The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light. [13] Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy. [14] But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

1 Corinthians 10:12-14 [12] Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall. [13] No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. [14] Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

Philippians 2:12-13 [12] So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [13] For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

This petition of the Lord's Prayer is an important part of working out our salvation with fear and trembling.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

James 1:12-16 [12] Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to those who love him. [13] Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. [14] But each one is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, produces death. [16] Don’t be deceived, my beloved brothers.

James 5:16 Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

1 Peter 5:8-11 [8] Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. [9] Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. [10] But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. [11] To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

2 Peter 1:2-4 [2] Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, [3] seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue; [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Both Peter and Jude understood that God has provided us with all we need to live a godly life.

Jude 1:24-25 [24] Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, [25] to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.