“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)
It’s striking how quickly we can judge the actions of others while justifying our own questionable behaviors. The nature of temptation is that it draws us in, often appealing to our desires.
In the prayer Jesus taught us, we ask, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). This plea is a request for divine guidance, helping us stay within God’s will and away from unnecessary temptation. Essentially, we are saying, “Lord, protect us from being tempted beyond our ability to resist.”
And indeed, He will. The Bible reassures us: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
However, we often encounter those ambiguous situations where we question if something is appropriate for a Christian. Here’s a practical approach to navigate these gray areas:
- Pray first: Bring your concerns into the light of God’s presence. If you can’t pray over your actions and honestly say “hallowed be Your name,” then it’s best to refrain from doing them.
- Consider the perspective of others: Ask yourself, “How would it look if someone else, particularly another Christian, were doing this?” Would it seem inappropriate? Does it carry what the Bible refers to as the appearance of evil? If so, it’s wise to avoid it.
- Seek strength against temptation: While temptation is an inevitable part of life, you can pray, “Lord, help me not to place myself in harm’s way unnecessarily.”
You can ask God to guard your eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet—everything that influences what you see, hear, say, and do.
“The adversary knows precisely how to tailor temptation to our weaknesses!”
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your immense love. I acknowledge my wrongdoings and the sins I’ve committed against You. Please forgive me and fill me with Your Spirit so that I can recognize and resist temptation. Help me resist the urge to justify sin in my life. When I find myself in tempting situations, open my eyes to the escape route You provide. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Rob Lavallee
Scriptural Seeds Ministries



