Temptation

“May the words of the Lord's Prayer find you and follow you in fresh ways this week."

This was a blessing and prayer from Stephen Eckert as he taught on this Sunday of Memorial Day week end.  We are at the point of the prayer that reads:  "Lead us not into temptation."

Stephen shared how, when he was younger, this line bothered him. Does God ever really lead us into temptation?  Does He even tempt us at all?  In fact, James 1:13 says God doesn't tempt us.  He explained how the Greek word for tempt is "Peirazo" and can mean testing or trap.  He used the example of how theologian Tim Keller used to do the following in his days as a professor:  He would give 4 exams in a semester, but would not tell his students what dates the exams would be on.  This was a test for those prepared and a trap for the unprepared. 

INVITATION:  How do you feel about praying the words "lead us not into temptation," in regards to not going through a test?  Scripture is full of examples of God testing his people. A good example is the entire Exodus story of the Hebrews escaping Egypt and wandering through the desert.  How prepared are you for times of testing?  We have an honest role model in Jesus who prayed that he not go through his time of extreme testing (Matthew 26:39).  How honest are your prayers about times of testing and how you feel about them?

MONDAY:  Stephen stressed the importance of recognizing the test, i.e. knowing what evil is.  The best way to learn about evil and how to avoid it is to study the "owner's manual" - - know Scripture and be in scripture.  During a Jesus' time of extreme temptation (recorded in Matthew 4), Jesus quoted scripture:

  • Deut. 8:3

  • Deut. 6:16

  • Deut. 6:13

The temptations he faced, and the verses used from the Old Testament to counteract them, were precursors to the ways that most of us are tested:  I am what I have, I am what I do, I am what other people think of me.   Have you considered these as "tests" before?  Which one is the biggest test in your life?  How might the corresponding verse from Deuteronomy be helpful for you?

TUESDAY:  Stephen stressed it is not enough to only  intellectually "know" what evil is, but we must take it seriously. Have you thought much about evil that is around you....and maybe in you?  Read the verses below (there are many others) about how seriously we are instructed to consider and avoid evil, and focus on the HOLINESS of God. 

  • Romans 12:9

  • Ephesians 6:14

  • Thes. 5:21-22

  • James 1:14

Stephen used the example of walking on the edge of a cliff or canyon.  It is dangerous and could be disastrous. It is not a place to act carelessly or mindlessly, and a person should be careful and attentive. Are you dancing on the edge of catastrophe in any way in your life?

WEDNESDAY:  Romans 14:5 & Romans 14:13-15:  We have freedom in Christ. The blood of Jesus has paid the price for sin. However, we are not to use our freedom from Christ as an excuse - or reason - to dance on the edge and play with the fire of evil that is in the world.  Do you ever read scripture looking for loopholes or excuses to do what you see as right in your own eyes or what you feel like doing?  Do you judge others?

THURSDAY:  I Peter 2:16 & Romans 6:1-2:  Do you ever use your freedom and grace from Christ as a cover up for evil and sin? 

FRIDAY:  Matthew 7:21:  Sin and evil can lead to a slippery slope. The evil one doesn't come to us in obvious ways, like in horns and carrying a pitchfork. He masquerades as an "angel of light."  Evil might LOOK good....and even holy.  Stephen gave a few examples of how we can easily go from, "I can handle it" to not even noticing how deep in sin and evil we might get.  Where are you flirting with possible disaster in your life and relationships?  Are you willing to pray today and ask the Spirit to show you areas of your life where you may be using excuses to cover up evil and sin?  Stephen pointed out that even politics can be a tool we hide behind to rationalize and avoid the sin and evil in our OWN lives. Perhaps this Tim Keller quote will be encouraging as you pray vulnerably this week about sin in your life:  "The gospel is this: we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope."   Are you ready to take sin and evil seriously in your life, and dive deep into the love and acceptance?

SATURDAY:  John 16:33:  There is evil in the world and there will be trouble and testing.  Are you prepared?