The Lord’s Prayer: Do Not Lead Us into Temptation, but Deliver Us from the Evil One

Some have joked that this entreaty is the most often prayed phrase of The Lord’s Prayer. Temptations seem to be around every corner.

What tempts you? The bowl of chocolate candies on a co-workers desk? Clicking on the wrong link while surfing the internet? Expanding a simple misunderstanding into an outright lie? Spending money reserved for another part of the budget?

Jesus was tempted himself but withstood the onslaught on your behalf. His model prayer can encourage and strengthen you.

The phrase, “Lead us not into temptation” should not be expanded to say, “Sometimes you do lead us into temptation; don’t do it any more.” Pastor and author John MacArthur points out that, “This petition reflects the believing one’s desire to avoid the dangers of sin altogether.”

James watched his half-brother, Jesus, travel around Nazareth, Bethany, and other towns in Judea. He was part of the family mob that showed up at Peter’s house for an intervention (Mark 3). He faced the most cunning and destructive temptation of all—disbelieving Jesus. But as Jesus’s ministry continued, James came to embrace his brother’s teachings and became a leader in the early church. He saw Jesus flee from and avoid temptation. He was up close and personal.

James wrote in his epistle, “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 NASB). The devil must love to tempt a believer to believe his tempter is God himself.

The Apostle Paul had something in common with James: he disbelieved Jesus until God got his attention on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). He offered this warning and promise, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:12–13 ESV, emphasis added).”

God knows the way of escape and will deliver you.

Part of military basic training takes place in the classroom. New soldiers learn the uniform colors, insignia, silhouettes of aircraft and tanks, and the weapons used by their enemies. In the same way, Christians should understand the profile of their enemy.

The Bible calls the devil arrogant and rash. The Apostle Peter, who denied Christ three times, understands the nature of the devil. In his letter, Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV).

The Bible also calls the devil crafty and deceitful. Paul often points to how Satan tempted Eve as an example of how he twists words. The Psalmist compares Satan to a hunter: “Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler” (Psalm 91:3 NKJV). Jesus referred to him as a wolf in one of his parables (John 10:12).

“Bible Answer Man” Hank Hanegraaff wrote. “We must neither overestimate nor underestimate the power and province of our adversary. No doubt much to his delight, we often depict the Devil as the author of darkness in much the same way that God is described as the Author of Light. That, however, is far from true. God is the sovereign Author of all creation; Satan is but an angel that he has created. Satan is not the opposite of the Creator. Rather, as a fallen angel, he is the counterpart to the archangel Michael.

“He is a malevolent being, the vastness of whose intellect exceeds that of any human who has ever lived from Solomon to Socrates. Thus, ‘we must not expect that a man, unaided from above, should ever be a match for an angel, especially an angel whose intellect has been sharpened by malice.’”

When you pray “deliver us from the Evil One”, pray with confidence and courage that God will answer and deliver.

Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.

Psalm 6:4 NIV

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Matthew 26:41 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:2–3 NIV

Q. Will Satan be defeated? If so, when?

A. Think of Satan like a bull in a 19th century bullfight. As you interact with him on earth, remember that he is stabbed, bleeding, and near death. He is still dangerous, but already defeated. He is crushed (Genesis 3:15) and it’s only a matter of time until he is destroyed (Revelation 20:14).

Q. How should I behave when I’m tempted?

A. You should first prepare yourself for temptation. It will come. It is foolish to believe you are immune (Ephesians 6:11). When temptation comes, take your cue from Joseph. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, he immediately escaped and ran so fast that his tunic remained in her hand (Genesis 39).

Q. I’ve given into temptation millions of times. How can I possibly pray this prayer?

A. The apostle Paul called himself the chief of sinners, yet knew great mercy and grace. God’s grace is for you as well. Receive it and be refreshed (1 Timothy 1).

Hank Hanegraaff notes that, “It is significant to note that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil’ (Matthew 4:1). Thus while Satan was the agent of the temptation, God was the author of the testing. Satan used the occasion to tempt Christ to sin; God used the occasion to demonstrate the he could not sin.”