“Pride goeth before the fall” is one cliché that makes a lot of sense. How often do we hear someone bragging about one thing or another only to have that thing not turn out quite the way they would like? The Sixth Petition reminds us that we are not to put ourselves in the position to be tempted (which is a way of testing God). Unfortunately, our nature is such that we go ahead and put ourselves in the position to be tempted and then when we fall into sin, we justify ourselves with the excuse that we could not help it. And yes, God does hold us accountable for those times that we just could not help ourselves as well as for all our sins.
It is amazing why anyone would want to put themselves into a position to be tempted when the devil can, already, find many ways to tempt you. The devil works to exploit your weaknesses and he does know them. The unholy three of the devil, the world and our own sinful human nature try, constantly, daily, to seduce us into disbelief, despair and other great shame and vice. It is only by the grace and with the help of God that we can overcome and win out in the end.
When temptations come and we pray to God, He helps us in one of three ways. God answers our prayers against temptation by either removing the temptation completely and immediately from us; or by giving us a way out; or by giving us the strength to bear up under the temptation.
God answers our prayer by removing the temptation completely and immediately. The temptation that was before us is no longer before us. God removes it so that we are not tempted by it.
God answers our prayer by giving us a way out, or by forcing us to take another way. When temptation comes God intervenes, either though something or someone getting between us and the temptation. Thus, instead of being able to fall into sin and temptation, we are moved and spared.
God answers our prayer by giving us the strength to bear up under the temptation. It could be that God is using this temptation as a testing in order to strengthen you in your faith. As you “go through” the temptation God will give you the strength that you need to keep from sinning and in the process He will give you strengthening of faith to continue to keep from sin and temptation.
Peter warns us that we should “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The devil tempts us to sin and temptation, not because he loves us and wants us to be his friend, but because he hates us as he hates all things and all people and because he wants us to live with him forever in hell. Thanks be to God that we have Jesus Christ who died for our sins and we have the Father who promises to help us in times of temptation.
Almighty Father, forgive me when I put myself in the position to be tempted. Thank You for helping me in times of temptation. Continue to watch over me, guarding, guiding and protecting me from all sins, from death and the power of the devil. Assure me of Your ever protecting hand. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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