Christians are very aware of a battle within ourselves. “The Spirit wars with the flesh and the flesh wars with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:17). The child of God is caught in the conflict. When we pray, “lead us not into temptation” we bring the things that tempt us “out into the open”. Rather than waiting until we have failed again, we speak in advance, honestly, sincerely about the “sins that so easily beset us” (Hebrews 11:1). Doing so fortifies us! It involves Him in the equation and leads to a victory that was impossible when we relied on our own strength. Friend, are you being open and honest with yourself and with your Father on this subject? How wise of God to teach us to talk about temptation.
A statement in an article in the Readers Digest caught my eye last night after attending the teaching on the Lord’s prayer and particularly on “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” In the article entitled “The Bottom Line on Happiness, by a Harvard professor by the name of Clayton Christensen, written for the Harvard Business Review, spoke on avoiding “just this once.” Extenuating circumstances may lead us to say “just this once” on something that goes against our better judgment and our life standards as taught in the Bible. Once broken it is easier to say “just once again.” The lesson this professor learned “is that it’s easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98% of the time. He was referring to a Christian principle he has followed his whole life. I know God forgives us each time we fail, but it does seem, in my case, that if I had never given in the first time that I would not be revisiting and failing the same temptation over and over again. With God’s strength I might have conquered it early on. Again, with God’s strength, I am going to try to say “no” immediately when new temptations crop up in my life.
Thank you for the comments on “lead us not into temptation”…… This part of the Lord’s prayer had previously been a bit puzzling to me… But I feel a better grasp of understanding on this now….your statement “Rather than waiting until we have failed again, we speak in advance, honestly, sincerely about the “sins that so easily beset us” (Hebrews 11:1).” especially brought clarity to me on this verse. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this blog. It’s tremendously helpful and so appreciated.
This was stunning that I came across this page while I was looking for an article from the HBR………………………..I haven’t told anyone this but I’ve said this prayer every day for years. When this page opened up I sat and let my mind wander about so many things from my past.
Pastor Don, I really liked this devotional and I never reallythought about bringing my sins “out into the open” to include God. Thanks for helping me gain perspective; I look forward to reading more!
Also, I want you and the entire church family to know that the youth group is supporting this website! You’re doing a great job!!!