Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer - part 5 - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
Mat.6:9-13: The Lord's Prayer - part 5 - And lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil:
Mat 6:9-13 (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
DEVOTIONAL PEARL
Temptation is enticement to sin, and this does not proceed from
God, but from Satan and from the evil of our own hearts. "God cannot
be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempteth no man." James 1:13,
R.V. Satan seeks to bring us into temptation, that the evil of our
characters may be revealed before men and angels, that he may claim us as
his own.... God in His great love is seeking to develop in us the
precious graces of His Spirit. He permits us to encounter obstacles,
persecution, and hardships, not as a curse, but as the greatest blessing of
our lives. Every temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne,
gives us a new experience and advances us in the work of character
building. The soul that through divine power resists temptation reveals to
the world and to the heavenly universe the efficiency of the grace
of Christ. But while we are not to be dismayed by trial, bitter
though it be, we should pray that God will not permit us to be brought
where we shall be drawn away by the desires of our own evil hearts. In
offering the prayer that Christ has given, we surrender ourselves to the
guidance of God, asking Him to lead us in safe paths. We cannot offer
this prayer in sincerity, and yet decide to walk in any way of our
own choosing. We shall wait for His hand to lead us; we shall listen
to His voice, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." Isaiah
30:21.... The prayer, "Bring us not into temptation," is itself a promise.
If we commit ourselves to God we have the assurance, He "will not
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1
Corinthians 10:13. The only safeguard against evil is the indwelling of
Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. It is because
selfishness exists in our hearts that temptation has power over us. But when
we behold the great love of God, selfishness appears to us in its
hideous and repulsive character, and we desire to have it expelled from
the soul. As the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, our hearts are
softened and subdued, the temptation loses its power, and the grace of
Christ transforms the character. Christ will never abandon the soul
for whom He has died. The soul may leave Him and be overwhelmed with
temptation, but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the
ransom of His own life..... Live in contact with the living Christ, and
He will hold you firmly by a hand that will never let go. Know and
believe the love that God has to us, and you are secure; that love is a
fortress impregnable to all the delusions and assaults of Satan. "The
name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it,
and is safe." Proverbs 18:10. MB102-22
THE FOLLOWING FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE DEEPER STUDY:
CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word
Study:
Mat 6:9-13 (KJV) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Mat 6:9-13 (NLT) Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your
name be honored. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done
here on earth, just as it is in heaven. Give us our food for today,
and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have
sinned against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver
us from the evil one.
CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:
Overview
Kingdom citizens have an "in-secret" relationship with God
(6:1-5), knowing how (vv. 6-8) and what (vv. 9-15) to pray. Such prayer
has nothing to do with outward show (vv. 16-18). With our attention
on heaven (vv. 19-24) and our trust in God as Father, we are freed
to concentrate on kingdom living (vv. 25-34). Because relationship
with God is "in secret," we do not judge others (7:1-6), we
consciously depend on our Father (vv. 7-12), and we choose His "narrow gate"
(vv. 13-14). As we do, God's power is exhibited in our good lives
(vv. 15-23) and obedience (vv. 24-29). [The 365-Day Devotional
Commentary]
Praying (vv. 5-15).
Jesus says, "When you pray" (NIV) not "If you pray"; He expects
us to pray. The first thing that characterized Paul after his
conversion was his praying (Acts 22:17). Jesus emphasizes that it is a sin
to pray to be seen and heard by others. Prayer is secret fellowship
with God, although public prayer is certainly authorized in the
Bible. However, nobody should pray in public who does not pray in
private; for that would be hypocrisy. Jesus points out three common
errors concerning prayer: (1) praying to be heard by others (vv. 5-6);
(2) praying mere words, empty repetition (vv. 7-8); and (3) praying
with sin in the heart (vv. 14-15). God does not forgive us because we
forgive others but on the basis of the blood of Christ (1 John 1:9).
However, an unforgiving spirit will hinder a prayer life and show that a
person has no understanding of the grace of God. The so-called "Lord's
Prayer" of vv. 9-13 is not given to be recited thoughtlessly. Rather, it
is a model for us to use to learn to pray. It is a "family
prayer"--note the repeated "our" and "us." It puts God's name, God's kingdom,
and God's will before the earthly needs of people. It cautions us
against selfish praying. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]
The "Lord's Prayer" (Matt. 6:9-13) was clearly a model for the
disciples to follow, not an exact formula to recite in each prayer. In the
parallel passage in Luke 11:2-4, the words vary, but the pattern remains
the same. [New Bible Companion]
The Lord's Prayer is a model for our prayers. It begins with
adoration of God (v. 9), acknowledges subjection to His will (v. 10), asks
petitions of Him (vv. 11-13a), and ends with an ascription of praise (v.
13b, though this may have been added later). [Ryrie SB]
The Model Prayer both commands and teaches Christians how to
pray. The prayer contains six petitions, divided equally. The first
three (vv 9-10) concern God's holiness and purposes; the second group
(vv 11-13) contain three personal requests. [Disciple SB]
The body of the prayer falls into two main parts characterized
by ascending development. The first part contains three petitions
concerning the glory of God: (1) the hallowing of His name (v. 9), (2) the
consummation of His kingly reign (v. 10), and (3) the fulfillment of God's
will on earth as in heaven (v. 10). The second part contains
petitions concerned with the personal needs of His disciples: (1)
provision (v. 11), (2) pardon (v. 12), and (3) protection (v. 13). The
doxology, "For Yours is the kingdom ..." (v. 13b), is not in some
manuscripts (NU omits the rest of verse 13) and is patterned after David's
prayer (1 Chr. 29:11-13). This model prayer ... serves as a pattern for
all prayer. [Believer's SB]
The Lord's Prayer
I cannot say "our" if I live only for myself.
I cannot say "Father" if I do not endeavor each day to act like
His child.
I cannot say "who are in heaven" if I am laying up no treasure
there.
I cannot say "hallowed be thy name" if I am not striving for
holiness.
I cannot say "Thy kingdom come" if I am not doing all in my
power to hasten that wonderful event.
I cannot say "Thy will be done" if I am disobedient to his word.
I cannot say "on earth as it is in heaven" if I'll not serve Him
here and now.
I cannot say "forgive us our debts" if I harbor a grudge against
anyone.
I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I deliberately
place myself in its path.
I cannot say "deliver us from evil" if I do not put on the whole
armor of God.
I cannot say " Thine is the kingdom" if I do not give the King
the loyalty due Him from a faithful subject.
I cannot attribute to Him "the power" if I fear what men may do.
I cannot attribute to Him "the glory" if I'm seeking honor only
for myself.
I cannot say "forever" if the horizon of my life is bounded
completely by time. -Author Unknown.
Brenda Jean Williams [mailto:BrendaJean.Williams@us.coopers.com]
LORD, I cannot say "Our"...
if my religion has no room for other people and their needs.
LORD, I cannot say "Father"...
if I fail to resemble You in the way I live my daily life.
LORD, I cannot say "Who art in Heaven"...
if my attention is focused only on earthly things.
LORD, I cannot say "Hallowed be Thy name"...
if I who am called by Your name am not holy.
LORD, I cannot say "Thy Kingdom come"...
if I fail to acknowledge Your sovereignty in my life.
LORD, I cannot say, "On earth as it is in Heaven"...
unless I am truly ready to serve You here and now.
LORD, I cannot say "Give us this day our daily bread"...
without doing an honest day's work, and without considering the
needs of those less fortunate.
LORD, I cannot say "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our
debtors"...
if I harbor a grudge against my brother or sister.
LORD, I cannot say "Lead us not into temptation"...
if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am
likely to be tempted.
LORD, I cannot say "Deliver us from evil"...
if I am not prepared to take a stand against injustice in my
society.
LORD, I cannot say "Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the
Glory"...
if I do not submit to Christ as King, if I fail to trust You to
act in my life, or if in pride I seek my own glory.
LORD, I cannot say "Amen"...
unless I can honestly say, "Come what may, this is my prayer."
Adapted from "Lamplighter," Speedway Christian Church, Indianapolis,
Indiana [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
He presents His own ideal of prayer, words so simple that they
may be adopted by the little child, yet so comprehensive that their
significance can never be fully grasped by the greatest minds. We are taught
to come to God with our tribute of thanksgiving, to make known our
wants, to confess our sins, and to claim His mercy in accordance with
His promise. MB102-22
This does not prohibit long prayers; Jesus prayed all night (Lk
6:12). [Disciple SB]
It was from hours spent with God that He came forth, morning by
morning, to bring the light of heaven to men. The disciples had come to
connect His hours of prayer with the power of His words and works.
MB102-22
SECTION HEADINGS
Jesus teaches about prayer (6:5-15)
Teaching about Prayer and Fasting
The Lord's Prayer (6:5-15)
CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL:
1 Chron. 4:10 (KJV) And Jabez called on the God of Israel,
saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and
that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from
evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he
requested.
Psalm 121:7-8 (KJV) The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil:
he shall preserve thy soul. [8] The Lord shall preserve thy going
out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
2 Peter 2:9 (KJV) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out
of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment
to be punished:
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour:
Matthew 26:41 (KJV) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
1 Cor. 10:13 (KJV) There hath no temptation taken you but such
as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you
to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2 Cor. 12:9 (KJV) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.
2 Cor. 1:20 (KJV) For all the promises of God in him are yea,
and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
1 John 3:8 (KJV) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for
the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of
God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 5:18 (KJV) We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth
not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked
one toucheth him not.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL:
The Bible teaches that God does not tempt man to sin (Matt.
6:13; cf. James 1:13-14). The words of Matthew 6:13 meant "Do not
allow us to succumb to temptation." [New Bible Companion]
Temptation. Even when the English word "temptation" is used to
render peirasmos it is sometimes clear from the context that it means
"test," or "trial" (Acts 20:19; James 1:2; cf. 1 Peter 4:12). The
Scriptures make it clear that God "tests," or "proves," men (see Gen. 22:1;
Ex. 20:20; etc.) but never tempts them to sin (James 1:13). [SDA
Commentary]
The petition should perhaps be understood as a request, "Do not
permit us to enter into temptation" (see 1 Cor. 10:13; see on Ps.
141:4). This part of the Lord's Prayer is sometimes understood as a plea
to God to remove all temptation from us. But God's promise is not
that we shall be protected from temptation, but that we shall be
protected from falling (John 17:15). Too often we willfully place
ourselves in the way of temptation (see on Prov. 7:9). Truly to pray "lead
us not into temptation" is to renounce the ways of our own choosing
and to submit to the ways of God's choosing. [SDA Commentary]
God doesn't lead us into temptations, but sometimes he allows us
to be tested by them. As disciples, we should pray to be delivered
from these trying times and for deliverance from Satan ("the evil
one") and his deceit. All Christians struggle with temptation.
Sometimes it is so subtle that we don't even realize what is happening to
us. God has promised that he won't allow us to be tempted beyond
what we can bear (1 Cor. 10:13). Ask God to help you recognize
temptation and to give you strength to overcome it and choose God's way
instead. [Life Application SB]
Evil. In the form here used, poneros may refer to either an
evil thing or an evil person (see on ch. 5:39). It is not clear which
is intended here. Some prefer "evil one," that is, the devil,
whereas others think that evil as a principle is intended. The
conjunction "but" may seem to make "evil" parallel to "temptation" in the
preceding clause; if so, "evil" probably refers to moral wrong. [SDA
Commentary]
Temptation is enticement to sin, and this does not proceed from
God, but from Satan and from the evil of our own hearts. "God cannot
be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempteth no man." James 1:13,
R.V. Satan seeks to bring us into temptation, that the evil of our
characters may be revealed before men and angels, that he may claim us as
his own.... God in His great love is seeking to develop in us the
precious graces of His Spirit. He permits us to encounter obstacles,
persecution, and hardships, not as a curse, but as the greatest blessing of
our lives. Every temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne,
gives us a new experience and advances us in the work of character
building. The soul that through divine power resists temptation reveals to
the world and to the heavenly universe the efficiency of the grace
of Christ. But while we are not to be dismayed by trial, bitter
though it be, we should pray that God will not permit us to be brought
where we shall be drawn away by the desires of our own evil hearts. In
offering the prayer that Christ has given, we surrender ourselves to the
guidance of God, asking Him to lead us in safe paths. We cannot offer
this prayer in sincerity, and yet decide to walk in any way of our
own choosing. We shall wait for His hand to lead us; we shall listen
to His voice, saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." Isaiah
30:21.... The prayer, "Bring us not into temptation," is itself a promise.
If we commit ourselves to God we have the assurance, He "will not
suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1
Corinthians 10:13. The only safeguard against evil is the indwelling of
Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. It is because
selfishness exists in our hearts that temptation has power over us. But when
we behold the great love of God, selfishness appears to us in its
hideous and repulsive character, and we desire to have it expelled from
the soul. As the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ, our hearts are
softened and subdued, the temptation loses its power, and the grace of
Christ transforms the character. Christ will never abandon the soul
for whom He has died. The soul may leave Him and be overwhelmed with
temptation, but Christ can never turn from one for whom He has paid the
ransom of His own life..... Live in contact with the living Christ, and
He will hold you firmly by a hand that will never let go. Know and
believe the love that God has to us, and you are secure; that love is a
fortress impregnable to all the delusions and assaults of Satan. "The
name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it,
and is safe." Proverbs 18:10. MB102-22
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