The next part of the Lord’s Prayer is about purity. Jesus included a very honest request: “Lead us not into temptation.” When we pray this, we’re admitting that we are vulnerable, prone to wander, and in need of help. It reminds me of that joke about the guy who prayed, “Dear Lord, so far today, I have done all right. I haven’t gossiped or been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. I’m very thankful for that. However, in just a few minutes, I’m going to get out of bed, and then I’ll need a lot more of your help. Amen.”
Temptation is everywhere in our world—on our screens, in our conversations and thoughts, and in moments of stress or loneliness. But the good news is that God doesn’t just tell us to avoid temptation; He offers to lead us away from it. I love that God is willing to lead us, holding our hand as we walk through our day. Left to our own devices, we drift toward selfishness, pride, lust, and compromise, but God will lead us away from temptation if we’re willing to follow.
One of the most dangerous words in Christian life is “never.” “I would never have an affair.” “I would never get addicted.” “I would never walk away from God.” Remember Peter—when Jesus warned that he would deny Him three times, Peter swore that even if everyone else fell away, he never would, but he did. How many examples do we need before we admit that no one is above temptation? CEOs, politicians, professional athletes, celebrities, and Christians fall every day. Samson, the strongest man who ever lived, fell. Solomon, the wisest man, fell. David, the greatest king, fell. If Samson wasn’t strong enough, Solomon wasn’t wise enough, and David wasn’t great enough, then neither are we. That’s why Jesus said to “watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” The Greek word for “watch” is grēgoreō, and it means to be cautious or vigilant. The moment we think we’re above temptation is often the moment we’re most vulnerable to it.
Temptation Is Tricky
Jesus’ brother, James, tells us that each person is “dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” In other words, temptation works because it appeals to something we want. The Greek word James uses for “enticed” is a fishing term meaning “to bait a hook.” That’s exactly what temptation is—a baited hook. Satan never tells you the whole story; he only shows you the bait. He never says, “Click this link and destroy your marriage.” Instead he says, “You deserve this.” Instead of, “Get addicted and lose everything,” he says, “Just one drink won’t hurt.” Instead of, “Hold on to that bitterness and poison your soul,” he says, “You have every right to be angry.”
Temptation always overpromises and underdelivers. One night, I was driving down the interstate and noticed a billboard promoting an alcohol brand. It was exactly what you’d expect: attractive people having fun and making the case that drinking their product would make your life more exciting. As I passed it, I noticed in my rearview mirror that the other side of the billboard had a different ad that said, “Drinking Problem?” and had a phone number to call for help. I was struck by the reality that every temptation has a painful other side that many people never see until it’s too late.
When you’re in the furnace of temptation, you may feel like you’re the only one who’s stuck, or like no one understands you, but remember, everyone is tempted. It can be embarrassing to admit an area of your life where you’re being lured away, but please know that as a pastor, I’ve had countless people sit across from me and say, “I’m going to tell you something that will shock you,” and it never does. I’ve heard it all, and I’ve lived it, too. Most of us are struggling with the same handful of temptations. Shame tells us to keep it hidden, but secrecy is where temptation grows. You’ll never find freedom while trying to fight alone. Freedom begins when we stop pretending and start getting honest.
Stay on the Safe Path
There has been all kinds of research aimed at figuring out why some people seem to have more willpower than others. One interesting study tracked people for one week, randomly texting them questions about what desires, temptations, and instances of self-control they were experiencing. Most of us believe that some people are better at resisting temptation than others, but the research found that the people who were the best at resisting temptation actually reported experiencing fewer temptations. Put another way, people who excel at self-control are the ones who need it less often. It turns out willpower is not a superpower—it’s a limited resource, and the more you use, the less you have. Everyone eventually gives in if they keep finding themselves in the position of having to make the right choice over and over again.
This means that wise people don’t just avoid sin; they avoid the road that leads to it. Proverbs calls this the “safe path.” Ironically, it was Solomon who wrote, “…mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” These verses are promoting wisdom and thoughtfulness. There are lots of things you can do and lots of places you can go, but where are they leading you? Don’t just go along for the ride, and don’t rely on willpower—put guardrails in place. Maybe that means giving someone else the passwords to your accounts, setting spending limits that require your spouse’s approval, deleting apps that constantly pull you toward unhealthy habits, or telling a trusted friend what you’re struggling with and giving them permission to ask hard questions. Maybe you need to block a phone number, avoid traveling alone, or leave your phone outside your bedroom at night. These aren’t biblical commands; they’re personal boundaries and acts of wisdom based on your knowledge about what entices you.
Paul reminds us that whenever we’re tempted, God always provides “a way out so that you can endure it.” Purity doesn’t mean perfection. When we pray, “Lead us not into temptation,” we’re acknowledging that we can’t do this alone—we need a Savior who strengthens us when we’re weak. Jude reminds us that God is “able to keep you from stumbling.” He’s not just our Savior; He’s our helper, too.
But if we’re honest, we have to admit that sometimes we see the way out and choose not to take it. We give in, and in the aftermath of our wrong choices, we feel shame and regret. Peter knew that feeling. So did Moses, David, Jonah, and just about everyone else in the Bible. Maybe you’ve already given in to temptation and you feel your failure is unforgivable or unfixable. When you feel defeated, it’s easy to convince yourself that trying is pointless. I want to give you hope—it’s not too late to start now. If you’ve sinned or allowed yourself to cross boundaries or lines, let’s repent and return to our Father. No matter how far gone you feel, God can lead you out.
One day, temptation will not exist, but until that day, we keep walking, confessing, repenting, and getting back up. And every morning, before we step into a world filled with distractions and temptations, we pray, “Father, lead me away from the things that will destroy me and toward the life You have for me.”
Practice:
Where in your life do you feel most vulnerable to temptation right now? Consider talking to someone you trust and admitting where you feel like giving in.
Prayer:
“Father, I know I’m weak on my own. Lead me away from the things that could destroy me, and lead me toward the life You’ve called me to. Show me where I need to use wisdom and establish boundaries. Give me the strength to say no to sin and yes to You. Amen.”
