Prayer - Part 6
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Many may read the above and stop; what does Jesus mean when He tells the people to ask God not to lead them into temptation? That surely makes no sense, for God does not entice us into temptation. Let us therefore have a look at the word lead. In Greek it is ěisphěrō [ice-ferʹ-o], and it implies going into or entering into. It was a common term used back then, and because Jesus’s audience was Greek speaking they would have understood it to mean help us to not go or fall into. Let us also look at the word temptation. In Greek it is pěirasmŏs [pi-ras-mosʹ], implying a loss of self-control or discipline and, in another context, being solicited [enticed] into doing evil. Today we would say, help me to not be swayed [influenced] such that I do wrong.
However, if we are being honest with ourselves, sometimes it is not that we have been led into temptation, but rather our pěirasmŏs, no self-discipline or thought about what we are about to do that has taken us down the road of error. It is our fault, and we cannot blame the result on the devil. The devil made me do it, is not a valid excuse for any person who follows Christ wholeheartedly. A good approach to preventing this from happening in your life is to surround yourself with true followers of Christ. Allow them into your life, confide in them and make yourself accountable to them.
David expressed this request, in a slightly different manner in Psalm 19:13, as he writes: “Keep your servant also from wilful sins, may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless …”
Ponder upon this statement, as relates to what we have just
covered:
“Help me, please give
me the strength and wisdom I need when I am
provoked, that I shall not lose self-control
but retain my composure as a
Christ follower, thereby bringing you the
glory. And Father, please steer
me clear of any such situations that I may not walk openly into them.”
Let not my heart be drawn to what is
evil,
to take part in wicked deeds with men
who are evildoers;
let me not eat of their delicacies.
Psalm 141:4 (NIV)
BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE
Coming to the second part of that sentence, but deliver us from the evil one, it is crucial to understand the Greek words. Deliver is rhuõmai [hroo-ʹom-ahee], implying please rescue me. The same word is used in Romans 7:24 and Timothy 4:18; see below. Evil is pŏnērŏs [pon-ay-rosʹ], implying from the devil or a malicious or wicked person. We find the same Greek word in Matthew 5:45: “He causes the sun to rise on the evil [Greek word pŏnērŏs] and the good …” Pŏnērŏs is not used in all instances in the New Testament. The Greek word that is mostly used is kakõs [kak-oceʹ], which implies someone who is depraved and does bad or wicked things.
John 17:15 gives us a good example of the word pŏnērŏs. Jesus is praying for His disciples, and in that prayer, He asks: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil [pŏnērŏs] one.”
Acts 23:9 gives us a good example of the word kakõs.
Paul is on trial before the Sanhedrin. One of the Pharisees stands up and
defends Paul: “We find nothing wrong [no kakõs (KJV)] in this man.” It
is therefore important to understand that not all the same English words in
scripture have the same implied meaning.
What a wretched man I am!
Who will rescue [rhuõmai] me from this body of death?
Romans 7:24 (NIV)
The Lord will rescue [rhuõmai] me from every evil attack
and will bring me safely to his
heavenly kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV)
Consider a request like this, or similar, to God: “Father please help me and give me the strength to travel on this road I currently find myself on, but, if possible, please put me on a different road.” That is, if you are struggling immensely. However, perhaps you do need to travel on this particular road, for there is a lesson that you need to learn. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom on what you perhaps need to work on.
These three Bible versions, namely the Amplified, King James, and Orthodox Jewish, have the same sort of ending to verse 13: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen.”
We have looked at many of the Greek words used in this teaching given by Jesus, and here we shall look at the word glory. In Greek it is doxa [doxʹ-ah], implying glorious, full of honour, to be praised and worshipped.
Consider this:
“For we are all part of your kingdom; all the power to keep that kingdom going lies within you, and you have the power to bring about all the promises in your word. You therefore deserve all the glory and honour and praise for who you are. I thank you that I will be in eternity with you one day. So be it [Amen].”
If it is possible for you, praise God in song after you have prayed. If not, end your prayer session by declaring praise to the Father.
Jesus concludes this section of the Sermon [teaching] on the Mount by emphasising verse 12: “Forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors,” by telling them: “14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
As we end this teaching, join with me as we embark upon this
road of enhancing our personal prayer life.
Grace and mercy of Jesus Christ be with you.