Lead Us Not Into Temptation, But Deliver Us From Evil

The Lord's Prayer Series

Text: Matthew 6:13

Big Idea: Turn to God when you face any trial or temptation, and he will deliver you.

Application Question: Adversity can lead us into a deeper union with God or deeper into sin—it is all about who or what you turn to for comfort during those times.

INTRODUCTION

We've arrived at the final words of the Lord's Prayer, and they might be the most urgent words Jesus teaches us to pray:

Matthew 6:13 NIV

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Notice the shift in tone. Up until now, the prayer has been measured, reflective, focused. But these final words have a different quality—there's an urgency here, almost a desperation.

Why? Because Jesus knows something we often forget: We are in a battle. And the enemy is real.

These aren't just nice words to end a prayer. This is a cry for help. A plea for protection. A recognition that we are weak, the enemy is strong, and without God's deliverance, we will fall.

Today we're going to explore what it means to pray these urgent, essential words. I have six thoughts I want to share with you…

I. TWO PETITIONS, ONE REQUEST (v. 13)

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Two Aspects of One Plea

John Stott says these should be seen as two aspects of one petition. He writes:

"The sinner whose evil in the past has been forgiven longs to be delivered from its tyranny in the future." John Stott

Think about the flow of the Lord's Prayer:

• We've prayed for forgiveness for past sins (v. 12)

• Now we pray for deliverance from future sins (v. 13)

These two petitions bring the past, present, and future into alignment, all under the same unifying theme: deliverance.

Past: Forgive what I've done

Present: Protect me from falling now

Future: Deliver me from evil to come

The Natural Flow

The Lord's Prayer demonstrates a natural, beautiful progression:

God's holiness to be respected (v. 9)

God's kingdom to be realized (v. 10)

Our daily needs to be met (v. 11)

Our forgiveness to be received (v. 12)

Our victory over temptation and evil (v. 13)

From the holiness of God to victory over evil in our lives, this prayer covers every aspect of daily apprenticeship to Jesus.

II. THE NATURE OF EVIL (v. 13b)

"...but deliver us from evil."

Evil or The Evil One?

The Greek word translated as "evil" is ponēros. This word can be translated:

“Evil” (as in evil in general)

“The evil one” (as in Satan specifically)

You can see this variation in different English translations. Some say "deliver us from evil," others say "deliver us from the evil one."

Which is correct? Both, probably.

The Reality of Evil

Whether or not Satan is behind all the evil in the world doesn't change the fact that there is evil in the world.

Evil actions by people and by fallen, broken, and evil systems have caused great pain throughout time and place:

War

Genocide

Slavery

Abuse

Injustice

Violence

Oppression

We don't have to debate the origin of evil to acknowledge its reality. Evil is real. And we need protection from it.

God as Our Protector

The source of protection from such evil is God, whose kingdom believers are taught to pray will be realized on earth.

When we pray "deliver us from evil," we're acknowledging:

• We cannot protect ourselves

• Evil is more powerful than we are

• We need divine intervention

• God alone can deliver us

III. LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION (v. 13a)

"Lead us not into temptation..."

A Theological Puzzle

This phrase has confused people for centuries. It raises an obvious question:

Does God tempt us?

James 1 clearly states:

James 1:13 NIV

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

So what does Jesus mean when he teaches us to pray "lead us not into temptation"?

The Meaning

John Stott makes the case that believers are praying for the strength not to be overwhelmed by the devil and by trials.

The implications are:

The devil is too strong for us

We are too weak to stand up to him alone

Our heavenly Father will deliver us if we call upon him

This isn't saying God tempts us. It's saying: "God, don't let me be led into situations where I'll be tempted beyond what I can bear. And when temptation comes, give me the strength to stand."

Trials vs. Temptation

James 1:2 encourages believers to rejoice in trials.

James 1:2 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

How does that line up with praying not to be led into temptation?

Here's the key: Trials are not the same as temptation.

Trials = External circumstances that test our faith (can strengthen us)

Temptation = Enticement to sin (can destroy us)

Trials can become temptations if we respond to them in the wrong way. But trials themselves are neutral—they can lead us closer to God or further away, depending on how we respond.

We're not praying:"God, make my life easy and comfortable."

We're praying:"God, when trials come, don't let them become temptations that lead me away from you. Give me strength to stand."

IV. WE NEED A GUIDE (v. 13)

Lost in the Desert

Ken Bailey offers a helpful illustration from his decades living in the Middle East:

When traveling in the desert, even natives will hire a guide. Why? Because the expanse of sand and the repetitive familiarity of it can make it very easy to get lost.

Bailey tells of one expedition to visit a well. Following the guide, the longer he traveled, the more he wanted to ask: "Are you sure you know where you're going?"

The distance of the trip made it hard to trust the knowledge and leadership of the guide.

Trusting the Guide

This, Bailey states, is what Jesus is teaching when instructing the disciples to pray "lead us not into temptation."

We're acknowledging:

• We don't know the way on our own

• The journey is long and we're tempted to doubt

• We need a guide who knows the terrain

• We're asking God to be that guide

When life feels like a desert—endless, repetitive, disorienting—we pray: "God, lead me. I can't find my way on my own. Don't let me wander into dangerous territory. Keep me on the path."

V. DELIVERANCE (v. 13b)

"...but deliver us from evil."

The Rip Current (Rescue You Can’t Perform Yourself)

Almost everyone understands this instinctively.

You step into the ocean, ankle-deep. Then knee-deep. Then suddenly the water is pulling you out, not under—but away from shore.

You don’t panic because you’re dramatic. You panic because you realize: I can’t swim my way out of this.

Rip currents don’t look violent. They don’t announce themselves. They quietly overpower even strong swimmers.

That’s what evil and temptation often feel like.

You don’t say: “Lord, help me try harder.”

You cry: “Lord, deliver me.”

Because deliverance isn’t about effort. It’s about rescue.

God as Our Deliverer

Jesus teaches believers to pray that God would be their deliverer in those moments.

Not:

"God, make sure I never face hard times"

"God, give me a comfortable life with no challenges"

But:

"God, when I face trials, deliver me"

"God, when temptation comes, give me a way out"

"God, when evil threatens, protect me"

The Promise of Deliverance

1 Corinthians gives us this promise:

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

When we pray "deliver us from evil," we're claiming this promise. We're asking God to provide that way of escape.

VI. WHO DO YOU TURN TO? (Application)

Adversity can lead us into a deeper union with God or deeper into sin—it is all about who or what you turn to for comfort during those times.

Two Paths

When you face trials, temptation, or hardship, you have two choices:

PATH 1: Turn to God

Prayer

Scripture

Christian community

Worship

Obedience

Result: The trial strengthens your faith, deepens your dependence on God, and refines your character.

PATH 2: Turn to Something Else

Alcohol

Pornography

Anger

Bitterness

Escape

Self-sufficiency

Result: The trial leads you into sin, distances you from God, and damages your soul.

The Critical Moment

The critical moment is that first moment of adversity—when the trial hits, when the temptation comes, when the hardship begins.

In that moment, who do you turn to?

Do you reach for your phone, or do you reach for your Bible?

Do you numb yourself with entertainment, or do you cry out to God?

Do you isolate yourself, or do you call a Christian friend?

Do you try to handle it yourself, or do you ask God to deliver you?

Building the Habit

This is why Jesus teaches us to pray this prayer daily.

We're building a habit, creating a reflex, training ourselves so that when the moment of crisis comes, our first instinct is to turn to God.

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

So let me give you some practical ways to apply this:

Identify Your Vulnerable Areas

Where are you most vulnerable to temptation?

Is it lust? Pride? Greed? Anger?

Is it when you're tired? Stressed? Lonely?

Is it at work? At home? Online?

Pray specifically: "God, you know I'm weak in this area. Don't let me be led into situations where I'll be tempted beyond what I can bear. Deliver me."

Create Accountability

Don't fight this battle alone. Share your struggles with a trusted Christian friend or mentor. Give them permission to ask you hard questions.

"Deliver us from evil" is a communal prayer. We need each other.

Have an Escape Plan

When you know a temptation is coming, have a plan:

If you're tempted by pornography, have accountability software

If you're tempted by anger, have a cooling-off strategy

If you're tempted by alcohol, avoid situations where you'll be drinking

If you're tempted by gossip, have a friend who can redirect the conversation

Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: "with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape."

God provides it, but you have to take it.

Pray This Prayer Daily

Make this a daily habit:

"Father, lead me not into temptation today. I know my weaknesses. I know where I'm vulnerable. I'm asking you to guide me away from situations where I'll fall. And when temptation comes—because it will—deliver me. Give me the strength to say no. Give me the courage to flee. Give me the wisdom to call for help. Protect me from evil, both from the evil in the world and the evil in my own heart. In Jesus's name, Amen."

CONCLUSION

Turn to God when you face any trial or temptation, and he will deliver you.

That's the promise. That's the hope. That's what Jesus is teaching us to pray.

The Complete Prayer

Now let's look at the Lord's Prayer in its entirety one more time:

Our Father in heaven,

You are close and yet glorious

Hallowed be your name.

May your name be honored and kept holy

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

May your reign break into our broken world

Give us this day our daily bread.

Provide what we need for today

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Forgive us as we forgive others

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Protect us from falling and deliver us from evil

It All Comes Together

This prayer that Jesus taught his disciples isn't just a formula to recite. It's a pattern for living.

It teaches us to begin with God, not ourselves

It teaches us to prioritize his kingdom, not our comfort

It teaches us to trust him daily, not hoard security

It teaches us to forgive freely, because we've been forgiven much

It teaches us to cry out for help, because we can't fight this battle alone

The Final Word

As we close this series, I want to leave you with one final thought:

You don't have to face temptation alone. You don't have to fight evil in your own strength. You don't have to be strong enough or good enough or disciplined enough.

You just have to pray: "Deliver me."

And God will. Because that's who he is. He's the Father who hears. The King who reigns. The Provider who supplies. The Forgiver who pardons. And the Deliverer who rescues.

So pray this prayer. Live this prayer. Let it shape how you think, how you speak, how you act, and how you face every trial and temptation that comes your way.

Let's pray the Lord's Prayer together one final time.

Matthew 6:9–13 KJV 1900

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.