"Deliver Us From Evil"
It appears that most believers see this familiar phrase from the Lord's Prayer as a "defensive prayer." The idea is that we live in an evil world, ruled by the evil one (Satan), and this prayer is for Judge Jehovah to issue a "restraining order" that will protect us (deliver us) from them.
It is true that the devil would like to hurt us, and that this world's system is evil. We are certainly surrounded by evil, although the original language it isn't clear whether the "evil one" refers to the devil, or evil men who seek to hurt us. We certainly want deliverance both.
But let's not be quick to separate the phrase "deliver us from evil" from the phrase that precedes it, "lead us not into temptation." For the first phrase provides the context for the second. Temptation demands a response.
Though God never "leads us into temptation," he allows us to be tempted at times. (See James 1:2.) In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus encouraged the disciples to pray that they might not "enter into temptation," literally they were to pray that they wouldn't yield to temptation--which is sin.
The word translated "temptation" literally means testing or trial. It could be said, "let us not be sifted" as Peter was sifted. Why the sifting? Sifting is to test our mettle, try our faith, to strain off the impurities of our lives.
The prayer is about our being delivered when we are tempted from our inclination to do evil (a fleshly response), as much as for protection from the world, the devil, and wicked people. We might say, "Lord, if possible, don't let me be sifted. But if sifting me is your plan, don't let me disappoint you by responding in an ungodly fashion. Oh Lord, please deliver me from ME!"
Friend, your sifting is coming. It came to Peter, it comes to us. Jesus prayed for Peter; not that Peter wouldn't be sifted, but that the sifting, the trial, the test would be strengthened him so he could strengthen others.
Old Testament saints prayed to be delivered from their circumstances. New Testament saints pray to be developed in their circumstances.
A happily married woman with two children lost both of them. They were buried in the same grave. After that, she suffered a deep emotional collapse. For years her family fed and cared for her as though she was as weak and helpless as a little child.
One day her aunt, a joyful Christian, took her turn at feeding her. The distraught and despondent woman said, "Auntie, you keep on saying that God loves us. I used to think so too; but if He loves us, why did He make me as I am?"
The aunt kissed her gently, said with the wisdom of years, "Dear, He hasn't made you yet. He's making you now!"
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
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Enroll in our 52-Week Email School of Prayer, no charge.
Details: www.TeachMeToPray.com
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Register for our 2006 Prayer and Leadership Conferences
Details: www.PrayerConference.com
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It is true that the devil would like to hurt us, and that this world's system is evil. We are certainly surrounded by evil, although the original language it isn't clear whether the "evil one" refers to the devil, or evil men who seek to hurt us. We certainly want deliverance both.
But let's not be quick to separate the phrase "deliver us from evil" from the phrase that precedes it, "lead us not into temptation." For the first phrase provides the context for the second. Temptation demands a response.
Though God never "leads us into temptation," he allows us to be tempted at times. (See James 1:2.) In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus encouraged the disciples to pray that they might not "enter into temptation," literally they were to pray that they wouldn't yield to temptation--which is sin.
The word translated "temptation" literally means testing or trial. It could be said, "let us not be sifted" as Peter was sifted. Why the sifting? Sifting is to test our mettle, try our faith, to strain off the impurities of our lives.
The prayer is about our being delivered when we are tempted from our inclination to do evil (a fleshly response), as much as for protection from the world, the devil, and wicked people. We might say, "Lord, if possible, don't let me be sifted. But if sifting me is your plan, don't let me disappoint you by responding in an ungodly fashion. Oh Lord, please deliver me from ME!"
Friend, your sifting is coming. It came to Peter, it comes to us. Jesus prayed for Peter; not that Peter wouldn't be sifted, but that the sifting, the trial, the test would be strengthened him so he could strengthen others.
Old Testament saints prayed to be delivered from their circumstances. New Testament saints pray to be developed in their circumstances.
A happily married woman with two children lost both of them. They were buried in the same grave. After that, she suffered a deep emotional collapse. For years her family fed and cared for her as though she was as weak and helpless as a little child.
One day her aunt, a joyful Christian, took her turn at feeding her. The distraught and despondent woman said, "Auntie, you keep on saying that God loves us. I used to think so too; but if He loves us, why did He make me as I am?"
The aunt kissed her gently, said with the wisdom of years, "Dear, He hasn't made you yet. He's making you now!"
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Enroll in our 52-Week Email School of Prayer, no charge.
Details: www.TeachMeToPray.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Register for our 2006 Prayer and Leadership Conferences
Details: www.PrayerConference.com
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
If this blog has blessed you, and you'd like to receive email notification when articles are added, please subscribe at www.bloglines.com and subscribe to: http://eddie-smith.blogspot.com
posted by Eddie Smith | 5:07 PM
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