Life is full of uncertainties. It can be like walking through a minefield, we never know when we might step on something dangerous. In Pilgrim’s Progress, we see Christians encounter so many obstacles and dangers and eventually face death. Jesus is aware of the dangers/temptations that every believer faces so He adds a petition to the prayer. “Lead us not into temptation”.
The immediate context of this request is forgiveness; the Father’s forgiveness to us and our forgiving others. The Father’s forgiveness is our justification. After justification comes sanctification, a holy life. Though we are fully forgiven, we face temptation every day until our glorification. It is our sobering and unavoidable reality. Temptations can lead to backsliding if we fail to be faithful, but it can also lead to our growth and maturity if overcome with obedience.
We pray because we must be protected spiritually. The Christian is sent into the world to be persecuted and tempted. We need God’s protection against the dangers of sin and satan. Temptation leads to worldliness, a departure from holiness, which displeases God. Therefore we must pray lest we fall into backsliding. What is backsliding? Backsliding is moving away from Christ instead of moving towards Christ. It was reverting back to one’s old self when they previously showed commitment. Tragically, most of the American church is backsliding and in need of prayer.
We must understand that temptation itself is not a sin. In this fallen world, we are constantly being tempted and tested. However, all allowed of them are in God’s sovereignty (Ruth 1:20-21). Though we are tempted, God never tempts anyone (James 1:13). He is not the tempter, Satan is with his twisting of God’s word and appeal to our flesh. To overcome these temptations and to endure the trials we must hold on to the fact that God is good.
When we know God’s goodness we will not be deceived by temptation and grow through trials. What’s a trial versus temptation? In Genesis 3, Satan offers the fruit to Eve. He tempted Adam and Eve with deceiving words and ultimately they made their choice by falling into the temptation. A trial is different because God allows you to be tested (2 Corinthians 12:7). God doesn’t cause it but allows for your growth and sanctification (2 Corinthians 12:10).
What is temptation like?
- Temptation is constant. There is no rest from temptation. It is there from the moment you wake up (1 Peter 5:8). While constant, it can be overcome. Jesus faced the greatest temptation and trials from Satan and in his humanity he overcame it (Luke 4:13).
- No one is free from temptation.
- Temptation is not the same as sin. Temptation is bait, but if we take that bite and bite the hook, then we are caught in sin.
- Temptation requires deliverance while sin requires forgiveness – Kevin D. Young
- Temptation is dangerous because it is like a small ember. We don’t realize a small spark can lead to a great fire.
How does temptation lead to sin? James 1:14-15 says “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully matured, it brings forth death.” An example of when this happened is when David first saw Bathsheba from the rooftop. King David had the right to stand on his roof and overlook his kingdom. However when he saw her, he was tempted and by allowing it to conceive, that temptation led to adultery and murder and much of David’s misery (2 Samuel 11:2,4).
How to avoid and defeat temptation?
- Pray. The answer is plainly given by Jesus. We cannot avoid temptation. But through prayer, we can be on the alert and protected in Jesus Christ who has overcome the world (John 16:33, Matthew 26:41). Jesus also overcame His temptations through prayer (Luke 22:42). Jesus prayed not because He was God’s Son but because He was human. He knew the secret of prayer as a man. Again, we see Jesus pray for Simon Peter, therefore Peter was able to overcome and repent (Luke 22:31-32). This is the power of intercession prayer for one another. We must pray for one another because often we are too prideful to pray for ourselves (Luke 22:33). Jesus prayed and we must also completely depend on prayer.
- Trust in God’s word because it is sufficient to deal with various temptations. The doctrine of the sufficiency of scripture maintains that the Bible is all we need to equip us in life and death. Sola Scriptura states that Scripture alone is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian (James White). So the Bible is enough and only the Bible is God’s word. It is not enough to know God’s word, but we must know and love God’s word, and trust in God’s word. Trusting in God’s word is powerful! It is God’s promise to us and God’s word never fails (Matthew 26:54).
Conclusion
Jesus sent the disciples out to proclaim the gospel without any material support (Luke 10:4). The temptation to just take a little something would have been strong. How could they hope to fulfill their mission without food, money, or comforts? But that is the secret of temptation. When we are tempted the most, it is also the greatest opportunity for God’s blessing and victory (Luke 10:17). Instead of failure, they subjected demons and spread the gospel. All because they had complete dependence on God. And they lacked nothing (Luke 22:35). So whenever you are tempted, pray and obey His word, and the Lord will work according to His promise.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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