This petition is related closely to the last petition. Notice this is not a petition for justification but assurance of it as we still deal with our flesh and while perfection escapes us. In the assurance of that the child of God can have peace till he is delivered to final glory. We ask our Lord to minimize our temptation. Not to take away but so keep us that we are not LEAD into it. Why would God lead us into temptation one asks?
What does this mean exactly? There are two aspects here. Not only lead us not into temptation but also deliver us from evil or the evil one. The evil one continually buffets us. While we deal with temptation we pray at the same time for glory and our deliverance with our eyes heavenward. It is an eschatological petition dealing even with final glory. A temptation is something favorable or enjoyable that is inherently sinful. As a mother bakes cookies and tells her children not to eat them....the cookies are not inherently bad we note, but the word of God comes through the mother and forbids the children to eat of them. The world also is so full of temptations...pleasantries that God's word forbids us and says they are not good for us. Some good in and of themselves but some sinful in and of themselves also. Temptation and a trial of our faith with the difference being the MOTIVATION. The motivation of the devil is always to make us sin. From God's perspective however they are an increase of your faith and to grow spiritually!!! The flesh, the devil, and the world who the devil uses fight against us each and every day. The 3 fold enemy.
We can understand what Christ teaches us to pray. Not to take us "out of this world..." but to build our spiritual character and grow in grace. Spiritual resistance and temptation does that!!! (I Peter 1:6+7) "To the praise and honor and glory of God!" Behind cloister walls is NOT the will of God but in the world of temptation by the very design of the Living God. Leas us not into temptation! But why would God want to lead us into temptation? As David numbered the people or as Peter denied Him....David did not trust in the Lord but in men as he numbered his army when he should have trusted in God. Peter also trusted in himself..."Lord I will NEVER deny you!" And we also, become to "big for our britches" and we think we can stand in our own strength. This prayer means that I humble myself and know that I CANNOT stand in my own strength, but in HIS lest we succumb and fail. May I understand my own weakness and in understanding ask for God to help us overcome those numerous things that have no business in the life of the child of God.
Lead us not into temptation but a strengthening of my faith with deeper roots until we reach perfection of Holiness in Glory! "Lord...make it so I may not have to be led into temptation to be humble and know my weakness until I reach final Glory!"
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