This verse is a familiar line from a prayer we all may know by heart but never pondered the words. In the New Living Translation, it reads “And don’t let us yield to temptation but rescue us from the evil one.” The Message paraphrase reads, “Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge!”
All believers experience the war within — the temptations that rage against what we know to be right. The temptation is to allow self to be in charge of our lives and to therefore resist Jesus’ Lordship.
We need help to resist and to not yield to self. Jesus’ model for prayer suggests we ask our Father to help us — daily. The Holy Spirit is our helper. Think about a time when you resisted temptation. What helped you?
A few things came to my mind:
- Resolving daily to ask the Lord Jesus to lead my life.
- Following and obeying Him willingly regardless of the war within or how hard it feels.
- Reading the Word daily so I continue to grow in discerning what the Lord requires of me.
- Admitting my struggles to fellow believers who will pray with me and for me to overcome.
- Praying for ongoing surrender in my heart to the will of the Father.
If, in my mind, I resolve to seek God for help, then with His power, I can overcome. The battle is won in my will and mind before it can mainfest in my actions. Will you resolve and resist today?
Heavenly Father, we need your power and strength to resist temptation and follow you wholeheartedly. Lead us Lord out of temptation and deliver us from evil. Help us today to make wise and godly choices and to obey you, regardless of the cost. In Jesus’ Holy and Precious Name, Amen.
Go Deeper — Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and show you if there is an area of your life that you are refusing to yield to His Lordship. If you continue to struggle, choose a wise and trusted Christ follower to confess your area of struggle to. Ask them to pray for you and be willing to go for more help/counsel.
Further reading: The Spirit-Filled Life.
Photo Credit: Kate Remmer