Wickedness and Trials

Scripture Reading Invocation

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

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5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The close of the Lord’s Prayer addresses temptations, trials, or tests conjoined to seeking deliverance from the Lord against every sort of evil.

As a set of instructions on prayer, found amidst the whole of the Sermon on the Mount, we find a development in practical terms which seeks to lead up into the fullness of reliance upon God alone for every aspect of our lives. Beginning with seeking and confessing the holiness of our heavenly Father who dwells in the highest heavens (). Followed by the an appeal to the authority of His rule within His kingdom, not only in heaven but also on earth where he cares for his children (). In we are taught to be present in our prayers asking for what is sufficient for today, as we engage with our Covenant Father, in the immediacy of our needs. In , the complete surrender of self in seeking forgiveness, not only teaches us humility, but also to be loving and kind toward our neighbors, even our enemies. Each of these elements is seen in the preceeding verses beginning at .

Christ’s instructions are intended to teach to ask for the help we need. Indeed to attain perfection we must labor to seek His will, His path, to walk in the way He desires- to accomplish this, or to even begin to draw near to being perfect, we must surrender all to Christ forsaking all else, if not especially our own understanding and self-centered, I am the center of my universe, ways.

To NOT ONLY understand it is okay to ask for deliverance from trials, and from the wickedness which temptations bring to us daily, but to plead with the Sovereign Covenant Creator who calls us HIS OWN.

Wickedness and Trials, from the sermon title addresses, are only one portion of an ongoing process of supplication which we commonly call prayers, those which each of you secretly carry to the Lord TODAY as part of what you need NOW.

As you face temptations, as you encounter brokenness, frustration, a lack of zeal, a sense of been there done this before, whatever your trials and temptations, always remember Christ was tempted just like you, in the flesh, yet without sin (). This He did so your prayers might recognize him as your Great High Priest, and also emboldened to come to the throne of grace, seek and obtain mercy and grace, as you are instructed:

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (, NKJV)

1. Temptations Lead Astray (; ; )

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

13 καὶ (and) μὴ (not) εἰσενέγκῃς (bring to / lead) ἡμᾶς (us / we) εἰς (into) πειρασμόν (test / trial / temptation),

Our temptations are ever before us as the children of God. They are comprised of Worldly Lusts, of the Flesh, the Eyes and the Pride of Life ()

, Addresses these sins:

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (, NKJV)

, also addresses temptation:

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (, NKJV)

We are to asks of the ability to resist, to be free from temptations which will draw us away, and to understand the dangers of yielding to temptations of all sorts. If this is so, then why are we instructed to ask God to lead us not into temptations?

While teaches us to recognize the fiery trials (temptations) are a cause of rejoicing in Christ, since they make us partakers of his suffering, it is in prayer and supplication to Christ for deliverance from such temptations which we may come to recognize and so confidently petition Him to strengthen us against such. Moreover, we see in all of the supplications toward prayer, we are to ask this for the Church of which we are a part, so that our fellow believers may receive this same blessings and benefit of our petitions as as the Lord wills.

While teaches us to recognize the fiery trials (temptations) are a cause of rejoicing in Christ, since they make us partakers of his suffering, it is in prayer and supplication of Christ to deliver us from as much temptation as possible which we may confidently ask, and petition him for. Not we are to ask this for the Church of which we are a part, so that our fellow believers may receive the benefit of our petitions as well as we ourselves.

To ask the Lord to deliver us together from the temptations which are common to us all is a fitting prayer as we see Christ himself exampling this in . Christ prayers for the Apostles, and for those who would believe in God through their words. He also expressly prayers for himself, in , . He sought deliverance from the temptation to set aside the cross and the death which he has agreed to, but he trusted in the will of God.

So we too suffer from temptations, in smaller ways, we to suffer, not for nothing, but temptations which appeal to our flesh, draw away our eyes, will seek to lead our hearts astray, and if left to our own devices and understanding, lead us astray. When we understand we are in need of deliverance, that is to be utterly saved from ourselves, as the main source of our sin, and come to the humble understanding of our need to be led, we are then led to prayers for deliverance. This truth reflects the difference between a Covenant child of Christ and a child of the world, in Christ the fallen nature comes to eschew all wickedness and temptations, beginning with SELF. You beloved in retreating to the solemnness of personal prayer, in submitting to your utter dependence for deliverance, which ONLY GOD can provide by the Spirit demonstrate you are not your own. The child of the world, may recognize and even embrace temptation or completely redefine wickedness, as the next best thing which we can do for our fellow man. One path leads to God and seeks God to take the reigns, the other rejects God in favor of self, being fully deceived. The Christian seeks to be free from temptation so they will also be delivered from wickedness, or as the next petition notes, But deliver us from evil.

2. God Delivers from Evil (; ; ; )

But deliver us from evil. ἀλλὰ (but) ῥῦσαι (rescue / deliver) ἡμᾶς (us / we) ἀπὸ (from) τοῦ πονηροῦ (the evil).

Note, the contrast here between the verses,

v9-10 begins with the pronouncement of God Holiness the seeking of his Kingdom and Will.

v11 begins the petitions for our needs. Vv11, 12 and 13 are joined in continuation using the word AND (καὶ). In the last part of v13 we find the word BUT (ἀλλὰ), which presents the continuation of the previous petition dealing with temptation specifically. We are to plead with and seek the grace and mercy of God for deliverance from all wickedness, the wickedness which Satan represents and the self-harm of being lured into temptations and grievous sins.

Understanding the depth of lust and the consequences of sin, YOU are to ask for deliverance from the trials which come from all sources of EVIL. The text speaks of deliverance, this is the idea of being rescued, PLEADING with God to Rescue us from all Evil, Satan, (). All the evils which are associated with the temptations which we have just discussed. Christ in praying for the Church asked the Father to “keep us from the evil one”. This deliverance is ours through the shed blood of Christ, which Sanctifies us, allowing us to plead for divine intervention, or if we look at this another way, to willingly YIELD to the DIVINE WILL. It is through the sanctification of the Word of God that we understand the price paid for our sin, and what we must take up for protection to fight against wickedness in the world.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—”(, NKJV)

“who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” (, NKJV)

“and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” (, NKJV)

3. Honoring Almighty God (; , )

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

The focus of this doxology is presented by the word FOR-

Here the emphasis of your prayers are directed to not only make petition, but as in vv9-10, the address of the King returns, as the reason behind your prayer. For only God can accomplish all these things, only God can alleviate temptations, only the blood of Christ can secure us from the hand of the Devil.

While the ESV and other newer translation remit this doxology. Many Greek MS contain it in some from. Some shorten the praise removing the kingdom, others lengthen the conclusion including the names of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

The sentiments are not only in harmony with the whole of the prayer, the prayer apart from it, lacks any conclusion. This portion is not included in the Luke text.

I am convinced its presence in the best Greek MS demonstrate the authenticity of the words. The Greek and grammar flow in thought, returning to the majesty of God and the Almighty one who CAN accomplish all these petitions. FOR he alone has the Power and authority to accomplish them.

The conclusion of our study on the Lord’s Prayer:

We learn in this prayer to be humbled before the LORD of all Creation. He mark a distinct relationship of the Creature seeking the blessings of the Creator. The fullness of YOUR prayers are not found in the length or even the depth of words, for the heathen babble on to their false Gods, as do those who fail to properly and with respect pray to YHWH God or Christ. When you pray be present in your requests, make known your needs, and seek the Fathers will. Remember the needs of the Church, seek not only your blessings, but the blessings which are delivered to the household of faith. And always remember :

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” (, NKJV)