Are We Led Into Temptation?

“Lead me not into temptation.”  I can’t imagine anyone not being familiar with this verse from the Lord’s Prayer. But what does it mean?  Does God direct us towards temptation, and if so, why?  I’ve pondered this phrase many times over the years, and never connected it with Christ’s temptation in the wilderness until recently.  “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew 4:1.  Jesus was still dripping wet, from his baptism in the Jordan, when scripture says that the Spirit, that is God’s Holy Spirit, led him into temptation!!  As you recall, Satan, with God’s consent, began “tempting” Jesus.  His offers were refused, because Jesus countered each one with the word of God.  Read the account again in Matthew 4:1-11.

 It’s interesting to note that the temptations were aimed at Jesus’ vulnerable spots: physical hunger; faith in God and need for fame.  He, of course, stood up against them, and Satan had to move on and make room for the attending angels.  But, back to the question, does God lead us into temptation?  From what I read in scripture, no.  Does he allow us to be tempted, yes.  Is there a difference you say?  Unlike Christ, who was actually led into the wilderness for 40 days, by God’s Holy Spirit, we seem to have no problem finding it on our own.  Think of the lifestyle changes you have made over the years, whether or not they were for spiritual reasons.  Quitting an unhealthy habit is tough, especially when you come up against it repeatedly.  Hopefully, each time you resist, it gets easier to turn away the next time.

 Nothing that happens to us, good or bad, occurs without God’s permission.  Does that sound harsh to you?  Think of the instances in your own children’s lives when you’ve allowed them to experience certain things, even though they may have been painful, so they could grow and learn from them.

Let’s face it, the world is full of tempting situations.  I used to have a sign in my college dorm room that said, “All the things I really like to do are either illegal, immoral, or fattening.“ It often feels like that is true, even now, or I should say, especially now!  As soon as we make the decision to accept Christ, our adversary appears on the scene ready to change our minds.  Scripture tells us what to do when this happens.  1) Pray!!  "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41.  Ah yes, the age old conflict of flesh vs. spirit….so keep praying!  2) Submit to God and resist evil. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.  Just like in the wilderness, when we resist the devil’s tempts, countering them with the word of God, he MUST leave!!  Another reason to know what the Bible says, and use it!!!

The most encouraging verse, to me, is this one: 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.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.  It’s not easy to face trials and temptations, or watch as loved ones do, so I can only imagine what God feels for us when we have to.  But, it says he is faithful, and will supply the way out…..it is our decision to take it.  Are you prepared to face temptation?  It will come, without God leading us into it. You can’t do it alone, but with His help you can not only resist, but become stronger for the next go-round!