What do we pray for in the sixth petition?
In the sixth petition, which is, And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.
Proofs
- In the sixth petition, which is, And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, (Matthew 6:13)
- we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, (Matthew 26:31)
- or support and deliver us when we are tempted. (2 Corinthians 12:8)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
May God be said to lead into temptation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It came to pass after these things, that God tempted Abraham, (Genesis 22:1)
Doth he sometimes do this by withdrawing his assisting grace?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: God left Hezekiah, to try him, (2 Chronicles 32:31)
And by letting loose our spiritual enemies?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: And the Lord said, who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Kamoth-Gilead, (1 Kings 22:20)
And by providentially administering occasions of sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thou shalt not harken to the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God proveth you, (Deuteronomy 13:3)
Section 2
Do many temptations proceed from our own lusts?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed, (James 1:14)
And from the world?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world, (1 John 2:16)
And from wicked men?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They that lead thee cause thee to err, (Isaiah 3:12)
And from Satan?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Then was Jesus led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, (Matthew 4:1)
And have these temptations their particular seasons of strength and prevalency?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: In time of temptation they fall away, (Luke 8:13)
Section 3
Doth Satan tempt to mental errors?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I fear lest, as the serpent beguiled Eve, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ, (2 Corinthians 11:3)
And to criminal practices?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thus the devil put it into the heart of Judas to betray Christ, (John 13:2)
And to presumption?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, (Matthew 4:6)
And to despair?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Lest such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow, and Satan should get an advantage of us, (2 Corinthians 2:7, 11)
Section 4
Is Satan a powerful enemy?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He is a roaring lion, (1 Peter 5:8)
And a crafty enemy?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We read of the depths of Satan, (Revelation 2:24)
And an industrious enemy?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He goeth to and fro in the earth, and walketh up and down in it, (Job 1:7)
Should we therefore pray that we might be kept from his temptations?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, (Matthew 26:41)
And supported under them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That we might not be tempted above what we are able to bear, (1 Corinthians 10:13)
And delivered out of them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That the God of all grace, after we have suffered awhile, would make us perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle us, (1 Peter 5:10)
Should our prayers for this purpose be fervent?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly, (Luke 22:44)
And frequent?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For this I besought the Lord thrice, (2 Corinthians 12:8)
And sometimes joined with fasting?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting, (Matthew 17:21)
Section 5
May we pray to be delivered from afflictions?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Remove thy stroke away from me, (Psalm 39:10)
But are not afflictions sometimes needful?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If need be, we are in heaviness through manifold temptations, (1 Peter 1:6)
And useful?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The good figs were sent into the land of Chaldea for their good, (Jeremiah 24:5)
Should we therefore absolutely pray against them?
Answer: No.
Proof: Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing, (Jeremiah 10:24)
Should we under afflictions have recourse only to God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We know not what to do, but our eyes are upon thee, (2 Chronicles 20:12)
And trust in him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: At what time I am afraid, I will trust in thee, (Psalm 56:3)
And have we reason so to do?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he that hath delivered doth deliver, in whom we trust that he will yet deliver, (2 Corinthians 1:10)
Practical response
Should we especially desire to be delivered from the evil of sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That we might be delivered from every evil work, (2 Timothy 4:16)
Should we pray to be kept from the practice of sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Hold me up, that my footsteps slip not, (Psalm 17:5)
And from the dominion of sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let no iniquity have dominion over me, (Psalm 119:133)
Should we pray to be kept from heart sins?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Incline not my heart to any evil thing, (Psalm 141:4)
And from tongue sins?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Keep the door of my lips, (Psalm 141:3)
And from sins of life?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That we might not practice wicked works with men that work iniquity, (Psalm 141:4)
But are we not sufficient thus to keep ourselves?
Answer: No.
Proof: For it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps, (Jeremiah 10:23)