LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone. James 1:13

Someone once asked this question, “Why do we pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation?’ Can God lead us into temptation?” The answer is found in James 1:13. God who is pure holiness, who cannot be tempted by evil Himself, will not contradict Himself by leading us into temptation. When we pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” we are asking God to help us not to be swayed by temptation’s snares.

Verse 14-14 goes on to say, “You are tempted by the evil things you want. Your own desire leads you away and traps you. Your desire grows inside you until it results in sin. Then the sin grows bigger and bigger and finally ends in death.” This explains that our sin nature is allured by evil things that we want. It is our own sinful desires that swell to the point that we can’t resist. Once we are in the trap of sin it grows and grows until it consumes us.

We each have our own weaknesses. Something might lure me, but has no effect on another person. Maybe the trap is subtle, such as a conversation that ends up in gossip, or swelling with pride in our accomplishments.  Maybe the trap is more visible, such as the magazine with a half dressed woman or man on the cover, or a table full of sweets. Maybe our weakness is alcohol or drugs. Whatever the trap may be, it is calling our name.

The moment we fall into the trap, we find it difficult to be free from it’s bondage. That’s why we ask God to lead us not into temptation. God will not lead us to temptation, but He can remove those things that tempt us, give us strength to overcome our evil desires, or redirect us so that the temptation is not visible.  If the temptation is not available, there is nothing to lure us.

Dear Father, Lead us not into temptation. In Christ we pray, Amen