David Bahn – Reflections

“Lead us not into temptation.”

The devil is a wily deceiver. He started before the creation of the world – leading a group of angels in revolt against God. He continued when he insinuated himself against God with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. But when he met Jesus the story was different. Although he gave his best three shots he did not take Jesus in or down. The devil failed to lead Jesus away from God.

All temptation is ultimately a temptation away from God, and therefore away from life. The devil is no fool (in the worldly sense of the term). He knows how to ply his trade. He insinuates: “Did God really say…?” He intimidates, “You will not surely die.” He imitates, “You will be like God, knowing good and evil.” With Jesus it was the same thing: The temptations were all intimidation, “If you are God’s son…” He also insinuates, “You can change these stones into bread; it wouldn’t be wrong.” He even imitates, “Bow down and worship me.”

If we are going to stand against temptation, we had better know the devil’s tactics. But better yet, we are to pray not to be led into temptation. Jesus knew first hand how dramatically difficult it was to face Satan down when tempted. He had faced him down in the wilderness. But look closer: when it was all finished, angels sped to Jesus to minister to him. Satan nearly took Jesus out.

We may think of temptation as stress relief, distraction, or maybe even a bit exciting. But the beautiful forbidden fruit always contains a poisonous pill. If we follow Satan’s ploys we will die. Follow him all the way and we will die eternally. So we pray, “lead us not into temptation.”

God is good. When we follow his lead we are taken to places of true refreshment, peace, and victory (cf. Psalm 23). Lead us, O God, to the places of your blessing and favor. Help us, O God not only to resist temptation, but to avoid it altogether. Amen.