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“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
These are the words of Jesus Himself in what we call the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:13).
Now let us look at what the Word of God says, bringing that prayer into clear New Testament light:
> “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man;
> but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
> but with the temptation will also make the way of escape,
> that you may be able to bear it.”
> — 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
> “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
> — James 4:7 (NKJV)
> “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
> — Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV)
> “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
> — Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)
> “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
> but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
> — Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV)
> “Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…”
> — 2 Peter 2:9a (NKJV)
The central theme that runs like a thread through these lyrics and verses is this:
God has made full provision for our deliverance from temptation and from the evil one, but we must meet the conditions.
Three truths undergird everything we will examine:
1. Temptation is inevitable, but defeat is not inevitable.
2. God’s faithfulness is the anchor in every trial.
3. Our response—submission, resistance, watchfulness, and faith—determines whether we walk in victory.
This is not theory. This is spiritual warfare in daily life. The question is not, “Will I be tempted?” The question is, “How will I respond when temptation comes?”
To understand these promises, we must place them where God put them.
### 1 Corinthians 10:13 – In the Midst of Warnings
Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, a gifted but carnal congregation. In 1 Corinthians 10:1–12 he recounts Israel’s history in the wilderness:
Then Paul says:
> “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition…” (v. 11)
He follows with a warning:
> “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (v. 12)
Only then does he give the powerful promise of verse 13. So, 1 Corinthians 10:13 is not a verse for the careless. It is a verse for the watchful, the humble, those who “take heed.”
### James 4:7 – In the Context of Spiritual Adultery
James addresses believers who have become friends with the world:
> “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:4)
He describes believers drawn by their own desires, entangled in conflicts, pride, and wrong motives. Then he says:
> “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
> ‘God resists the proud,
> But gives grace to the humble.’
> Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:6–7)
Submission to God and resistance to the devil are set in the context of repentance and humility. This is not a formula to be used casually. It is the outworking of a surrendered heart.
### Ephesians 6:11 – In the Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians is the clearest New Testament manual on the church as the Body of Christ seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Yet in chapter 6 Paul reminds us that:
> “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers…” (Ephesians 6:12)
The command to put on the whole armor of God is not an optional extra for “advanced” Christians. It is the basic equipment for any believer who intends to stand against the devil’s schemes.
### Matthew 26:41 – In the Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus speaks Matthew 26:41 in the most intense hour of His earthly life. He has taken Peter, James, and John with Him into Gethsemane. He finds them sleeping when they should be praying.
> “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” (v. 41)
The danger is not merely that temptation will come—that is certain. The danger is that we will “enter into” it, that we will be swallowed by it. The disciples’ failure in watchfulness leads directly to Peter’s denial.
### Hebrews 4:15 – In the Context of a Sympathetic High Priest
The writer to the Hebrews presents Jesus as our High Priest. He is not distant, not indifferent:
> “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses…” (4:15)
He has been “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Therefore:
> “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace…” (4:16)
This means that help in temptation is not merely theological. It is personal, relational, priestly. You come to a Person who understands.
### 2 Peter 2:9 – In a World of Corruption and Judgment
Peter describes false teachers, corruption, lust, and judgment. Within that dark picture he says:
> “Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…” (2 Peter 2:9)
God knows how. The issue is whether we will walk with Him in the way He knows.
Two key terms are essential to our understanding: “temptation” and “evil one.”
### 1. “Temptation” – Greek: *peirasmos* (πειρασμός)
The word *peirasmos* appears in Matthew 6:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1, and many other places.
James helps us distinguish:
> “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials (*peirasmois*)… knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2–3)
But then:
> “Let no one say when he is tempted (*peirazomai*), ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” (James 1:13)
God permits the test; He never engineers the evil. The same situation can be both:
This clarifies the lyric: “You never tempt us beyond what we can bear.”
God does not tempt to evil at all. But He does set a limit on what He allows us to face. He supervises the *peirasmos*. He regulates the intensity and duration.
### 2. “Evil one” – Greek: *ho ponēros* (ὁ πονηρός)
In Matthew 6:13, the phrase is literally “deliver us from the evil.” Greek grammar and parallel usage indicate it means “the evil one,” that is, Satan.
So the prayer is not vague:
“Deliver us from the evil one”—a direct reference to Satan as a real, personal, spiritual adversary.
This clarifies the lyrics: “Keep us safe from the enemy’s schemes.”
There is an intelligent adversary, with schemes (*methodeia* – methods, strategies, Ephesians 6:11). We are not dealing with impersonal forces only. We are dealing with a kingdom under a ruler (Matthew 12:26).
Understanding these words shifts our view. Temptation is not just psychological pressure. It is spiritual contest. And evil is not just an abstract principle. It is enforced by a person—the evil one.
### Stanza 1
> Lead us not into temptation
> But deliver us from the evil one
> You never tempt us beyond what we can bear
> When trials come, You always make a way out
> So we can stand strong under it
> Keep us safe from the enemy’s schemes
#### 1. “Lead us not into temptation…”
This is the language of dependence. We acknowledge:
Psalm 23:3 says, “He leads me in the paths of righteousness.”
The positive side of “lead us not into temptation” is “lead us into righteousness.” The believer’s safety is not in cleverness but in following the Shepherd.
#### 2. “You never tempt us beyond what we can bear…”
This reflects 1 Corinthians 10:13, but we must phrase it precisely:
God does not tempt us at all. He does not allow a temptation beyond what we can bear.
The verse has three pillars:
1. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man.”
Temptation is not unique. One of Satan’s lies is: “Your case is special. Nobody else has ever faced this.” God says: it is “common to man.”
2. “God is faithful…”
Not “you are strong,” but “God is faithful.” The guarantee is His character, not your willpower.
3. “He… will… make the way of escape.”
Every God-permitted temptation comes with a God-provided exit. Always. Without exception.
#### 3. “So we can stand strong under it”
Notice the two dimensions:
Sometimes the “way of escape” is not instantaneous removal of pressure. Sometimes it is supernatural grace to endure until the pressure passes. Both are forms of deliverance.
#### 4. “Keep us safe from the enemy’s schemes”
Ephesians 6:11:
> “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (*methodeia*) of the devil.”
The devil uses methods, strategies, deception patterns. He studies your weaknesses. He looks for opportunities (Luke 4:13). To be “kept safe” is not passive. It involves:
### Stanza 2
> No temptation has overtaken you
> That isn’t common to everyone
> God is faithful—He won’t let you be tested
> Beyond what you can endure
> He’ll provide the way of escape
> So you can stand up under it every time
Here the lyric quotes 1 Corinthians 10:13 in essence.
#### 1. Common, not unique
Satan isolates. God reconnects. The awareness that my struggle is “common to everyone” breaks the lie of isolation and shame.
1 Peter 5:9:
> “…knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
#### 2. “He won’t let you be tested beyond what you can endure”
God functions as the absolute governor of circumstances for His children. The devil is not free. He is on a leash.
We see this in Job 1–2. Satan must seek permission. Boundaries are set by God. This does not mean the test will be easy. It means it will be survivable in the will of God.
#### 3. “Every time”
The words “every time” are important. The text says:
> “…with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Not sometimes. Not usually. Always. The failure is never on God’s side. If we fall, it is because:
### Stanza 3
> Submit yourselves to God
> Resist the devil and he will flee from you
> Draw near to God and He will draw near to you
> Put on the full armor of God
> Stand firm with truth, righteousness, and faith
> The shield that puts out all the flaming arrows
Here we bring together James 4:7–8 and Ephesians 6:11–16.
#### 1. “Submit yourselves to God”
Submission (*hypotassō* – to place under, arrange under) is the first step. There is no authority over Satan without submission to God.
Disobedient believers trying to “rebuke the devil” are like unauthorized civilians trying to command soldiers. The authority of the believer is always delegated. It flows from alignment with God’s authority.
#### 2. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”
Resist (*anthistēmi* – to stand against, oppose) is an active verb. We are not told to:
We are told to resist him—firmly, verbally, in faith, standing on the Word.
The promise: “he will flee from you.” The Greek implies a definite result. But note the order:
1. Submit to God.
2. Resist the devil.
3. Then he flees.
#### 3. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”
Temptation is weakened in the presence of God. The nearer you are to God, the less power temptation holds.
Psalm 73:28:
> “But it is good for me to draw near to God;
> I have put my trust in the Lord GOD…”
#### 4. “Put on the full armor of God… stand firm”
The armor is not psychological imagery. It is spiritual reality. Each piece corresponds to a specific posture:
Temptation often comes as a flaming arrow—a sudden thought, feeling, image, or impulse. Faith in God’s Word quenches it when we choose to believe what God says instead of what we feel or see.
### Stanza 4
> Watch and pray so you don’t fall into temptation
> The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak
> Jesus Himself was tempted in every way
> Yet never sinned—He understands our struggle
> He’s our high priest, full of mercy and grace
> Run to Him for help in your time of need
#### 1. “Watch and pray…”
Two disciplines are commanded:
Failure in temptation often begins with dullness: we are spiritually drowsy. We ignore the warning signals. Then temptation strikes unexpectedly.
1 Peter 5:8:
> “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
#### 2. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”
Here Jesus diagnoses the inner conflict:
Galatians 5:17:
> “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh…”
The answer is not to strengthen the flesh but to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
#### 3. “Jesus Himself was tempted in every way, yet never sinned”
This is Hebrews 4:15. Jesus’ temptations were real, not superficial. He was tempted “according to likeness”—in all the main categories of human testing (compare 1 John 2:16 with Matthew 4:1–11).
Because He never sinned:
He is uniquely qualified to:
#### 4. “Run to Him for help in your time of need”
Hebrews 4:16:
> “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Two provisions:
We do not earn this help. We come on the basis of His priesthood and His blood.
### Stanza 5
> The Lord knows how to rescue the godly
> From every trial and every snare
> Stay alert, keep watching, keep praying
> Victory is ours through the One who overcame
> He crushed the enemy, broke the power of sin
> In Him we stand delivered, free, and safe
#### 1. “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly…”
2 Peter 2:9 does not say the godly always know how. It says the Lord knows how. This keeps us dependent on His wisdom, not our strategies.
#### 2. “From every trial and every snare”
A snare is a hidden trap. Satan rarely announces temptation openly. He disguises it. That is why we need:
#### 3. “Victory is ours through the One who overcame”
Jesus has already:
Our task is not to achieve victory in our own strength, but to enforce His victory by faith and obedience.
#### 4. “He crushed the enemy, broke the power of sin”
Romans 6:6:
> “…our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”
Romans 16:20:
> “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.”
There is an objective, once-for-all victory at the cross. There is also a subjective, progressive outworking of that victory in our lives.
#### 5. “In Him we stand delivered, free, and safe”
Note the phrase “In Him.” This is the secret.
Ephesians 6:10:
> “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
The place of safety is not a location. It is a relationship: in Christ.
The promises we have studied are conditional. They demand a response. I will reduce this to four clear steps and then four proclamations you can use.
### Step 1: Adopt the Right Attitude Toward Temptation
Practical action: When a temptation appears, say clearly, “This is a test. God has made a way of escape. I choose His way.”
### Step 2: Submit to God and Renounce Any Agreement with Sin
Search your heart for any area where you are not submitted to God. You cannot resist the devil effectively while holding on to known disobedience.
Practical action:
Example: “Lord, I submit my body, my sexuality, my mind, my finances, my relationships to You. I withdraw any agreement with sin in these areas.”
### Step 3: Actively Resist the Devil and Use the Armor
This involves your mouth, your will, and your faith.
Practical actions:
Example: “I take the shield of faith. I believe what God says, not what I feel. I put on the helmet of salvation. My mind is protected by the fact that I belong to Jesus.”
### Step 4: Watch, Pray, and Draw Near Continually
Temptation is not only about moments of crisis. It is about lifestyle.
Practical actions:
Remember: the way of escape is sometimes before the visible temptation—by avoiding the place, the relationship, the content that would trigger it.
### Four Proclamations for Daily Use
You can speak these aloud regularly as an act of faith:
1. “No temptation will overtake me today except what is common to man. God is faithful. He will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able. With every temptation He provides a way of escape so that I can endure it.” (based on 1 Corinthians 10:13)
2. “I submit myself to God. In the name of Jesus I resist the devil, and he must flee from me. I draw near to God, and He draws near to me.” (based on James 4:7–8)
3. “I put on the whole armor of God. I stand firm with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. All the flaming arrows of the evil one are extinguished against me.” (based on Ephesians 6:11–17)
4. “Jesus is my High Priest, who was tempted in every way as I am, yet without sin. I come boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in my time of need. The Lord knows how to deliver me from temptation.” (based on Hebrews 4:15–16; 2 Peter 2:9)
### Proclamation
Say this aloud, thoughtfully and deliberately:
“I confess that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my High Priest. He was tempted in every way as I am, yet without sin. In Him I have victory over every temptation.
I declare that no temptation will overtake me today except what is common to man, and God is faithful. He will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I am able. With every temptation He makes a way of escape, and by His grace I will take it.
I submit myself to God. I resist the devil, and he flees from me. I draw near to God, and He draws near to me.
I put on the whole armor of God: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. I stand against all the schemes of the evil one.
The Lord knows how to deliver me out of temptations. In Christ I stand delivered, free, and safe. I say: ‘Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one.’ Amen.”
### Prayer
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that You are faithful. You have not left me alone in this battle. You have provided Your Word, Your Spirit, Your armor, and a High Priest who understands every weakness.
I bring before You every area where I have repeatedly fallen into temptation. I confess my sins and failures. I ask You to cleanse me by the blood of Jesus. I renounce every agreement with sin, with Satan, and with the world.
Holy Spirit, open my eyes to the enemy’s schemes. Make me watchful and sober. Strengthen my inner man to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and ‘yes’ to Your will. Show me the way of escape whenever I am tested, and give me the courage to take it immediately.
Lord Jesus, I choose to run to You in every time of need. Be my refuge, my High Priest, my deliverer. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
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