The Desire For Deliverance | Matthew 6:13

Scripture

• Matthew 6:13

About this sermon

Introduction: As we come to the end of the model prayer, we meet with a truth that we must not ignore. This prayer teaches us that we must have a daily concern for the wellbeing of our soul. THIS REQUEST EXAMINES US AND QUESTIONS US. We are concerned about the needs of our body, but are we really concerned about the needs of our soul? We ask for daily bread, but we also need daily forgiveness. We ask to survive each day in the physical realm, but we must also ask to survive the dangers that exist in the spiritual realm. Tonight, we consider this profoundly important request under two main headings. (1) The meaning of the petition (2) The mindset for the petition. THE MEANING OF THE PETITION There are two places in this petition where meaning is debated. There is the question of how we understand πειρασμόν which is translated “temptation.” And there is the question of whether we understand πονηροῦ to refer to that which is evil, or to refer to the evil one — the devil. The first matter of debate is how to understand the word translated temptation in the ESV. The Greek word can simply mean “testing.” The word itself is somewhat neutral. It can refer to testing, trials, or solicitation to evil — which is temptation. There is difficulty in understanding this request no matter how you interpret the meaning of that word. If you understand it to refer to temptation, then you know, in very clear terms, that God is not a tempter. ESV James 1:13 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. Why, then, would we ask God not to lead us into temptation when we know that He will not tempt us? But if we understand it to refer to testing, or trial, there is also a difficulty. We would be asking God to keep us from times of testing, when we are also told, in very clear terms, that our tests are to be rejoiced in, not avoided. ESV James 1:2 aCount it all joy, my brothers,1 when you meet trials bof various kinds, 3 for you know that athe testing of your faith bproduces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be aperfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ESV James 1:12 aBlessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive bthe crown of life, cwhich God has promised to those who love him. Why would I ask God to keep me from what He has told me is good for me? WELL, THE SECOND LINE INTERPETS THE FIRST. Clearly we desire to be delivered from EVIL. That would lead us to believe that the first line refers to temptation — a solicitation to do wrong. And understanding the first word as temptation, it is probably right to understand the second as a reference to the devil, because temptation has a tempter. This was the position of William Hendrikson. William Hendrikson — “Though it is true that God himself never tempts man to sin (James 1:13), it is also true that there is good reason to ask him not even to permit us voluntarily to run into temptation; for example, by establishing a dangerously close alliance with the world, becoming “unequally yoked” with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14–16); or by going into the opposite extreme and withdrawing ourselves entirely from society (contrary to Matt. 5:14; Phil. 2:15); by becoming so absorbed in our daily affairs that the spiritual atmosphere which should characterize our home is neglected, by serving on so many good-cause committees that matters even more important are not attended to; etc. It is God alone who knows how many tests of faith, and how severe, each saved sinner can endure, as he is constantly being assaulted by the devil (Eph. 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8), the world (John 15:19), and his own “flesh” (that is, whatever in himself is not a fruit of redeeming grace, Rom. 7:23; Gal. 5:17). Instead of going down to defeat in this struggle, may he remain watchful at all times, and in any event, may he triumph completely over the evil one (Rom. 16:20; 1 Thess. 5:23).”

Topics

• Overcoming Obstacles