RUSSELL SANDERS
8-6-2020
THE DISCIPLES PRAYER
MATTHEW 6:13 AND LUKE 11:4
PART 4
The disciples were taught to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
“Temptation” as used here is the Greek word “peirasmos.” It means “a putting to proof” either by experience, solicitation, discipline, or provocation. By implication, it is “adversity.” It is a temptation which tries your faithful walk in Christ. It is similar to our common saying, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating” or “the proof is in the pudding.” The experience of such a “temptation” will test your faith or faithfulness. Passing the “test” will make you stronger. It is a part of your maturing process, the “perfecting” of your faith. It is our adversary, Satan, that brings this adversity.
“…but deliver us from evil.” This shows that the part “lead us not into (it)” acknowledges God as their benefactor and protector. Many Old Testament passages say that God sent the evil upon them, so this may be a “nod” to that former notion. Through Jesus’ teaching, they now understood that “evil” or “adversity” comes via Satan. God is their protector, and they invoke His “deliverance” from it, that is, to let no harm come to them from Satan’s temptations (adversity, provocations, etc.).
The “evil” from which deliverance is asked is the Greek word “poneros” which means hurtful. It can also apply to that which is “ill” or “disease,” or “injurious.” It does not mean moral corruption or that which is “worthless” which would be the Greek word “sapros.” (G4550 Strongs), a totally different idea since that would be one’s own character fault.
This “evil” (poneros) invokes God to help to overcome any “temptation” that would hurtful or cause us harm. This includes illness and disease. God has provided our deliverance from such things through the shed blood of Jesus, yet we are taught to ask Him to take these harmful things from us. This is our claim to healing, whether it be physical illness, emotional wounds, soul “scars” or any type of malady that has set upon us. These all are “evils” from which He will “deliver” us.
Yes, trials and such “temptations” will come our way. It is part of the maturing process to become “the perfect man,” i.e., a mature, well-grounded believer.
As Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” These temptations are the “things” which strengthen us as we daily mature in our faith-walk.
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