Lead Us Not Into Temptation; but Deliver Us From Evil [Or, the Evil One]
Christians should avoid temptation by seeking to walk in obedience and praying for deliverance from evil.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of actively avoiding temptation and remaining vigilant in our spiritual walk, urging believers to pray earnestly to be spared from encounters with the devil. He warns against the presumption of seeking out temptation, likening it to hunting a lion, and highlights that while temptation is inevitable, prayer for deliverance from evil is essential. Spurgeon reminds Christians that they are born to face temptation and must be prepared, as Satan attacks unexpectedly, much like a thief. He encourages believers to be proactive in their spiritual defenses, advocating for prayer as a means of protection against the evil one.
Text
What we are taught to seek or shun in prayer, we should equally pursue or avoid in action. Very earnestly, therefore, should we avoid temptation, seeking to walk so guardedly in the path of obedience, that we may never tempt the devil to tempt us. We are not to enter the thicket in search of the lion. Dearly might we pay for such presumption. This lion may cross our path or leap upon us from the thicket, but we have nothing to do with hunting him. He that meeteth with him, even though he winneth the day, will find it a stern struggle. Let the Christian pray that he may be spared the encounter.
Our Saviour, who had experience of what temptation meant, thus earnestly admonished His disciples--"Pray that ye enter not into temptation."
But let us do as we will, we shall be tempted; hence the prayer "deliver us from evil." God had one Son without sin; but He has no son without temptation. The natural man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards, and the Christian man is born to temptation just as certainly. We must be always on our watch against Satan, because, like a thief, he gives no intimation of his approach.
Believers who have had experience of the ways of Satan, know that there are certain seasons when he will most probably make an attack, just as at certain seasons bleak winds may be expected; thus the Christian is put on a double guard by fear of danger, and the danger is averted by preparing to meet it. Prevention is better than cure: it is better to be so well armed that the devil will not attack you, than to endure the perils of the fight, even though you come off a conqueror. Pray this evening first that you may not be tempted, and next that if temptation be permitted, you may be delivered from the evil one.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Avoiding Temptation
- A. Temptation can lead to severe consequences
- B. Christians should seek to walk in obedience
- C. Prayer is key to avoiding temptation
- II. The Reality of Temptation
- A. Christians will be tempted
- B. Temptation is a natural part of life
- C. Believers must be on guard against Satan
- III. The Power of Prayer in Deliverance
- A. Prayer can deliver us from evil
- B. Preparation is key to avoiding temptation
- C. Prevention is better than cure
Key Quotes
“We are not to enter the thicket in search of the lion.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Prevention is better than cure: it is better to be so well armed that the devil will not attack you, than to endure the perils of the fight, even though you come off a conqueror.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Pray for guidance and strength to avoid temptation.
- Seek to walk in obedience to God's will.
- Prepare yourself for temptation by being well armed with prayer and a strong faith in God.