Facing Our Need For Grace

[Albert Finch]

Matthew 6:13 - And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

There is no temptation or sin in heaven. This prayer does not imply that God wants to tempt us.
We know from James 1:13 that it is impossible for God to entice us to sin. This kind of praying is important because it requires us to face our need for grace. It helps us to align our heart with heaven -- one of absolute dependency on God.

The phrase "deliver us from evil", as it is traditionally rendered, actually means, "deliver us from the evil one." A heart modeled after heaven has great success in spiritual warfare. Jesus was able to say, "satan has nothing in me." The believer is to be completely free from all satanic influence and attachments. That is the cry voiced in this prayer.

 

James 4:7 - So be subject to God. Resist the devil (stand firm against him), and he will flee from you.

John 8:32 - If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

 

Some have thought being nice was of the same essence as knowing the truth.
It is not.
We can thank our parents that we are nice but, if we would know the truth, we must seek God and be willing to obey Him.