The Answer to a Perplexing Question!

Dear Crosswalkers, Last Sunday I promised to answer a question that came to me a bit late in the sermon preparation process, but it is actually a question that has perplexed to consternation believers for many generations!  Before we get to the question, and possible answers, here is a quick review: In the Bible, the words “test” and “tempt” translate the same Greek word, perazo.  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow (James 1:2-3). This verse clearly tells us that when troubles come to test our faith, such testing is good medicine because it helps us become better people.  God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). Here perazo is translated “testing and temptation!” And again we see that God tests us in order to bless us. We also saw that Satan tests us in order to make us fall.  This is a fine distinction but a crucial one.  When used in a negative sense, perazo (temptation), has the more classic meaning of being enticed to do what you know in your heart is wrong.  The NT says, Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death (James 1:13-15). God does not test anyone with the intention of making them sin.  God does not entice anyone to do evil.  The devil does that.  In fact, one of the names for the devil in the Bible is the tempter!  Then we saw that God tests us with the purpose of helping us stand firm and the devil tempts us with the purpose of making us fall, and they can happen at the same time!  NOW FOR OUR QUESTION:  God clearly leads Jesus to be tempted/tested, and God clearly designs times of tempting/testing to be good for us, so why in the Lord’s Prayer does Jesus teach us to pray:  “Lead us not into temptation?”  Why should we pray NOT to be led into that which is beneficial to us?  Most evangelical Bible scholars believe that the prayer should be understood in its full context, which is “Lead us not into temptation (or testing), but deliver us from evil (or, better, “the evil one”).”  The meaning of the prayer must be that rather than avoiding temptation; we need and therefore ask for God’s help in overcoming the temptation.  It could be paraphrased like this: “Do not allow us to be led into the temptation that can overwhelm us, but rescue us from the evil one.”  In fact, Paul may have had this prayer in mind when he wrote: 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 (1 Cor 10:13). It is interesting that in the old 5th century Liturgy of St. James, after the Lord’s Prayer is said, continues with these words: Yes, O Lord our God, lead us not into temptation which we are not able to bear, but with the temptation grant also the way out, so that we may be able to remain steadfast; and deliver us from evil. The last piece of this puzzle may be found in Mark 14:38, where Jesus says to some of his disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” The meaning here must be, “Stay awake, and pray that you do not fail the test!”  Of course, we know they DID FAIL THE TEST in the garden, as we sometimes fail the tests which come upon us.  But the grace of the story is that the Lord Jesus did not fail the test! The resurrected Lord came back to them and forgave them and gave them another chance.  This time, with his help, they did not fail!  THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS:  For those of us who know our faith is perhaps no stronger than that of Peter and James and John, we pray to be saved from temptations/tests which are too great for our weak faith.  But if the test/temptation is inescapable, as often it is in this fallen world, then we pray for the grace of God to save us through the hard time of testing!  May  it ever be so in our lives!     THIS SUNDAY we will explore the awesome and fascinating truth that the Lord Jesus places a call upon us.  What does it mean that he calls us to follow him in today’s world?  How does he speak to us today?  How can we hear his voice?  This will be a very practical and evangelistic message!  Invite a friend or family member to come with you and let’s have a great day at church! See you Sunday! Pastor John