Do not bring us to hard testing,
but keep us safe from the Evil One.

Matt 6:13, GNT

Have you ever been tempted to do something wrong?  Cheating on a test or on your diet.  Telling a little fib to save your bacon or spare someone’s feelings.  Something we think of as small or insignificant…probably.  But have you ever been really tempted to do something that you knew was wrong or would have catastrophic ramifications?  Cheating on your spouse or your taxes.  Telling a bold face lie to sidestep a sticky situation.  We have all been tempted but the question really becomes have we given into the temptation…and who is to blame.  (Answer: we are!)

Temptation is defined as a strong urge or wish to do or have something, especially a thing that is bad, wrong, or goes against your long-term goals.  It often refers to an actual object, person, or situation that pulls you toward that forbidden choice.

And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.”
God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

(James 1:13, 14)

I love how James tells it like it is…God does not tempt us!  There may be times of testing…but ultimately we are responsible for our own actions and reactions.  The distinction between temptation and testing is pretty eye opening…one is destructive the other redemptive.  The choice is always ours.

God wants us to be obedient.  To resist the temptation of sin.  To stand firm against the evil that assails us.  This portion of the Lord’s prayer is our asking for strength to be able to do just that!  To be like David and seek after God with his whole heart.  He wasn’t perfect.  He gave into temptation.  But he also repented and had a heart that was responsive to God.

Friends, may we have a heart that seeks after God.  May we turn and walk in the opposite direction when temptations come our way.  May we desire only that which is good and turn away from evil. 

Blessings,
Pastor Jenni

Our Prayer Experiment: Daily pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). 
Speak it out loud, slowly, deliberately and from the heart.

This week’s Prayer Experiment:  Focus your prayers on this phrase: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”  Reflect: Where do you need God’s help when it comes to temptation? How can you turn your heart towards God, turning your back on evil?  Practice: As you reflect name those temptations, speak them out loud and ask God to help you turn your heart away from them and back to God.  Write down ways you can fit temptation…even the small ones that seem harmless can be a gateway to giving into the bigger temptations.