Prayer Study Group Lesson Week Five

“And Lead Us Not Into Temptation”

Temptation is always present in our lives. It’s always around from small to the large. Some temptations are easy to ignore and some are very hard.The Lord Himself experienced temptation before His public ministry began.

Luke 4:1-13 (Message) 1-2 Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry.
 3 The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: "Since you're God's Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread."
 4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to really live."
 5-7 For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, "They're yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I'm in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they're yours, the whole works."
 8 Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."
 9-11 For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, "If you are God's Son, jump. It's written, isn't it, that 'he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone'?"
 12 "Yes," said Jesus, "and it's also written, 'Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God.'"
 13 That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.

I can’t even imagine facing that kind of temptation after not eating for forty days. Jesus not only got through the forty days, he passed the test. It was at the end of his days in the desert when Satan appeared to him. At His weakest the evil one threw three temptations at Him.

1. He tempted Him in His weakness physically. He told Jesus, to “turn these stones to bread.”


2. He tempted Him in His in His status as the Son of God by offering up the Kingdoms of this world if He would just “bow down” to him.


3. He tempted Him in His loyalty to God by questioning Him about whether He would be rescued if He were to jump off the Temple.

Jesus answered each of the temptations with Scripture:

"It takes more than bread to really live." Deuteronomy 8:3

"Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness." Deuteronomy 6:13

“Don't you dare tempt the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 6:16

When we are faced with temptation we should always turn to the Word of God for strength and direction. We must pattern our behavior after Jesus and that is what He did. He quoted Scripture.

Jesus included “Lead us not into temptation” because He knew what a threat it was to us because He had been there Himself. God wants those who belong to Him to experience victory over temptation. He provides the means to get through these hard times.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT) 12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

We can only get through temptations with the power we find in Christ alone. If we think we will never fall as badly as others, then we are sorely mistaken. It’s when we least expect falling to expect a fall. That’s not negative thinking, that is preventive, proactive thinking. There is not a moment in life when we shouldn’t depend on God for His guidance and help.

God doesn’t lead us into temptation, He draws us to Himself. God is faithful. He doesn’t allow the temptation to exceed our faith in Him. God tests us for the purpose of growing us. The devil tempts us to make us fall. Our God is not like that. He only allows things into our life that will cause us to move closer to Him.

James 1:2-3 (NLT) 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James teaches us to consider trials with an attitude of joy. That sounds so contrary to what we think. However, when we face trials with an attitude of drawing closer to God, then we should rejoice because we become stronger and firmer in our faith.

James 1:12-15 (NLT) 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
    13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

We succumb to temptation on our own and when we do we are dragged away like a lion drags his prey away when they fall. It is an act of our will to fall into temptation. It is an act of our will to follow Jesus and stand behind Him. When we act in accordance to Jesus’ will for us, then the temptation will fade. We become stronger.

So, Lord, lead us away from temptation into your Kingdom and away from the death the evil one has in store for us. Make our way clear. As long as we keep our eyes fixed on You, we are safe. In You we trust and will not fall. Without You we will surely fall. Amen!