Founded by Bryant Wright, Right from the Heart is a
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Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil Jul 27 2010
"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil and He, Himself does not tempt anyone." - James 1:13
Perhaps the most puzzling part of the Lord's Prayer is the phrase, "Lead us not into temptation." It's confusing. In fact, on first glance, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. After all, the Bible is clear that God does not tempt us. So why would Jesus teach us to say, "Lead us not into temptation?"
1. First of all, Christ is reminding us that we need to call on God's help in the face of temptation. We're calling on God's help for strength through the trials of life and asking God for the strength to resist temptation.
2. But it's also a plea for God to help us make the wise decisions that keep us out of vulnerable situations and to ask for the wisdom to develop a lifestyle that limits temptations.
3. "Evil" in this verse actually means "the evil one." The evil one is smarter and stronger than we are. Not smarter and stronger than God, but smarter and stronger than we are.
So, we need to call on God to give us the power to resist temptation and deliver us from the evil one. He wants to destroy our lives, but God wants us to live and live life to the fullest. It just makes sense to trust God and resist temptation and believe God will deliver us from evil.
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10 Comments
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Yes, report it NevermindAmen! The evil one has been trying to steal and destroy my family for many years through my depression, Praise the Lord I have finally seen the light of Jesus Christ!!! He has come to give me and my family life and life to the full!!!!!!!!!
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Yes, report it NevermindHummm...can't help but think of Job. I think he you could make a case that through God's wager with the evil one he was, in a way, tempting Job to turn away from Him. Of course God knew Job ultimately would stay faithful, but the temptation to turn away seems to be present. Perhaps I am wrong, I haven't studied Job as much as I have other books of the Bible.
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Yes, report it NevermindWagers with the evil one? That sounds a little shady to me.
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Yes, report it NevermindI do not believe the Lord temps at all. I think the temptation is our own desires and the enemy knows what our desires are and so it is he who tempts us, not our Lord.
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Yes, report it NevermindWhen I was younger I prayed the prayer for salvation a couple of times sort of halfhearted and then sort of went on my merry way and continued to do what I wanted to do. I suppose it's debatable if I was truly saved at that time or not because I feel like I had accepted the gift of salvation but not Christ as the actual Lord of my life yet. In my opiniion I was actually saved during that first prayer because I feel even though I had not completely turned my life over that God had done His part for me and was waiting for me to do mine. Anyway, even before that first prayer I had always been the type person for some reason that very much for the most part wanted to do the right thing, but for some reason no matter how hard I tried whenever I was tempted in whatever situation I just couldn't seem to turn away and do the right thing. When I did finally pray the prayer of salvation and totally gave my heart and life to Christ I was amazed that all of the things I had fought constantly so hard not to do was no longer an issue for me at all. I just didn't have the slightest desire to continue any of it and could easily say no. I am not saying I'm a perfect person, of course, but there is no comparison in my ability to reject and turn from things I feel to be sinful or displeasing to God. Unfortunately when I do fail it is always purposeful disobedience and never the feeling that if I asked the Lord's help that I could not pervail against the temptation. Anyway, this for me is the biggest and most wonderful freeing part of my salvation and relationship to Chirst in that I no longer feel a slave to sin and always know that with HIS help I can overcome whatever temptation that comes my way because HE is MUCH stronger than the tempter. What a wonderful feeling to no longer feel out of control anymore. I praise Him for this freedom of no longer been a slave to temptation.
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Yes, report it NevermindLike God, the devil is not real. The devil is a concept which has been invented by man as a way to abdicate responsibility for our fears, insecurities, and as a way to pass the bad stuff that happens to us onto someone else. Any battle which you have with the devil, is just a battle with yourself.
Like God, the devil 'exists' only in our conscious minds. Which is also a lot like Zeus.
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Yes, report it NevermindI just got back from getting groceries and when I turned on the radio the song Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin was playing. I love the chorus " My chains are gone. I've been set free. My God my Savior has ransomed me and like a flood His mercy reigns unending love, amazing grace. " I hummed it the entire time I was getting groceries and it made a sometimes unpleasant task a joyous one instead. It reminded me of this devotion and how blessed I am. I even thank God for those that come on this devotion that do not believe. They remind me every day of how wonderful it is to no longer walk in darkness and to truly -Be Set Free!
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Yes, report it NevermindIf God is not real, then can we as humans control the rotation of the Earth? Are we able to tell our hearts to stop beating? Are we able to stop breathing and continue to live? No, GOD is the Author and Creator of all mankind. He may blot out sun if He desires. He may turn the Earth the opposite way if He wishes. He is Massive and our 10% knowledge is not capable to contain His Awesomeness and Power. I will stand on my faith until He calls me to His Glory. God is real and He real in my soul!
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Yes, report it NevermindI once had a man say to me, God gives you the desires of your heart, and my reply was yes he does, you just need to be careful what those desires are? Jesus said to them, "You are truly my disciples if you live as I tell you to and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Freedom to me is feeling loved and never wanting for anything, physically, mentally or emotionally. God supplies all of my needs, therefore I have no wants and I am forgiven. My search ended when I found the love of my life Jesus!
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Yes, report it NevermindWhen I was riding in to work this morning I saw a license plate that said "He's real". I was trying to think about the meaning. Then I saw the border of the plate. Smile, God loves you. I did smile and thought what a great ministry the girl in that car has.