Reflections on God: Lead Us Not Into Temptation

I’m here, again, to take a look at some Scripture to see what it has to say about the nature of the God whom we worship. I do this because grasping more and more fully what God is actually like is the basis of being able to worship Him better and better, and thus to serve Him wholeheartedly. And all of this will result in a changed life that will be used by the Spirit to change the world.

Continuing the pattern of that last few weeks, I’m going to use one of the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer. Today, it’s: ‘Lead us not into temptation’.

The first question to ask about this Scripture seems obvious to me. Does God actually do this kind of thing? Does He actually lead His children into temptation? Well, He must. If He didn’t, why would Jesus have us pray like this?

There is, in fact, much in the Scriptures that shows He really does lead into temptation. Here’s one example that I’m sure that you’ve encountered before.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1

God led Jesus into temptation.

There are other places where God does the same thing. Consider Job, whom (with God’s permission!) Satan greatly afflicted and Abraham whom God called to sacrifice Isaac. God led them into temptation.

This, of course, leads to the next question. Why would God do such a thing? Here’s a bit of Scripture that answers our question quite clearly.

And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left [King Hezekiah] to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart. 2 Chronicles 32:31

God tested Hezekiah, led him into a temptation, in order to reveal his heart.

God does the same with you to make clear what’s going on in your heart. It’s about making obvious what you really think and feel and believe.

And while it might sound odd to say, that was the goal when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.

This is one of those places where we need to appreciate Jesus’ humanity. The temptations that Jesus faced were real. He felt the tug of those temptations, the tug toward sin, toward rejecting the Father’s plan. So, Satan’s offer to Jesus to rule the kingdoms of the world and to enjoy their glory was a real offer. Satan could complete the deal. Jesus could enjoy all of that and that without having to go to the Cross. All He needed to do was a little bow before Satan.

When Jesus told Satan to get lost because He wasn’t going to yield, His heart was revealed. It was clear that He was ready to submit to the Father’s plan. He was ready to go to the Cross to endure the hell that awaited Him there. He did that in the hope of the Father’s promise that He would rule the kingdoms of the world and enjoy their glory. And the Father kept that promise as proven at the ascension.

So, we have a couple of questions answered. Good. Now, I’m going to say something that I’m guessing few of you would agree with, at least at first.

We should welcome these temptations.

Now, why do I say that? Do you think I’m not quite sane for wanting such things to happen? But consider. What’s the goal of these temptations? That our hearts might be revealed. When your heart is revealed, what will show?

Here’s what, for far too many, is an unexpected thought. Sometimes what’s revealed are some really good things. Every Christian heart holds some very good attitudes.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

God is doing ‘a good work in you’. He is in the process of changing you, making you more like Jesus, making you more fully human. The details of that good work will show when your heart is revealed.

That can be so very encouraging. The Spirit really is doing His work of changing you. You can see the results when you stand against some temptation and refuse to give in. And let’s face it. In light of the many battles with sin that we face, we need all the encouragement that we can get.

Now, to be sure, there will also be times when what is revealed is not good, but rather evil. When that happens, don’t fall apart. That is also good. You need to see our sin. How else will you be able to conquer the particular sins that remain in your heart if you don’t know what they are?

God sends us into temptation for some really good reasons. This is another aspect of His character. This is another way that He is a good Father to us. Yes, facing these temptations can be really hard, and that is especially the case when we stumble. But His intention in doing these things is for our good, to encourage us and to help us to conquer. He loves us enough to lead us into temptation. He’s that kind of God.

But all this leaves one more question. So, why does Jesus want us to pray to the Father, ‘Please don’t’? Why, ‘Lead us NOT into temptation’?

In light of what I’ve written above, we need to recognize that something subtle is going on. This is why understanding the Bible is a skill to learn.

Listen to Jesus again as He speaks to His apostles at another time.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.

That’s the same as the petition that we are looking at. However, this time, He explains why they should pray like that.

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

So, Jesus teaches us to pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation’. He wants us to pray this petition as an admission of our weakness. In our more sober moments, we know that it is way easy for us to fall into sin when tempted. We know that, but we forget it. Each time we pray this prayer, Jesus wants us to remind ourselves of our need of grace in facing the temptations sent our way.

So, do you see the kindness and the wisdom of the God whom we worship. He wants you to flourish. But His way of getting you to flourish may seem, at times, a bit odd. Sometimes He throws a temptation your way.