To those who are still struggling
with the issue raised by Pope Francis concerning the statement in the Lord’s
Prayer which states; “lead us not into temptation” let us look at two biblical
examples where God led His people to temptation: but before we get to this two
examples let us look at a practical example of what it means to be led into
temptation. When a driving instructor leads his driving student into a heavy
traffic road, or allowed them to stop the vehicle at very steep hill, or have
them to reverse through a narrow windy road, the question is, why does he lead
them to face these challenges? Is it to destroy them! Or is it to test their
ability to handle these circumstances and helping them conquer their fears so
that they can be better equipped to handle this circumstance and be approved and
qualified?
So let us now look at the two
biblical examples where God led them into temptation:
1. The patriarch Job
It is stated clearly in
scriptures that, “there was a day when the sons of God came to present
themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said
to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and
said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth
on it."
Then the LORD said to Satan,
"Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the
earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" So
Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You
not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has
on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have
increased in the land.
But now, stretch out Your hand
and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" And
the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do
not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the
LORD” (Job
1:6-12).
What proceeded after this
discussion we should know because, Satan went and decimated all that Job
possessed: All his animals, his servants and all his children. “Then Job arose,
tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return
there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the
LORD." In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (Job
1:20-22).
Please note carefully that Job
did not charge God with wrong, it was not God who tempted Job but He allowed
him to be tempted in order to be approved as we have been duly admonished
saying: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to
those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by
God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” (James
1:12-14).
2. Jesus Christ
It is stated clearly in the
gospel that, “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted
by the devil.” And on three occasions Satan tempted Him saying; "If You
are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." He also took
Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to
Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: '
He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, ' in their hands they shall
bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Again, the devil took Him up on
an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and
their glory. And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You
will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:3-9).
Therefore, making supplication to
God in prayer asking Him to lead us not into temptation is simply seeking or
requesting an alternative from God, asking Him to deliver us from the evil one
instead of having to be tempted by him. Because, judging from the examples of
Job and Jesus Christ, being led into temptation to be tempted by the devil is
not an easy task and I don’t think that many of us would end up being approved
to the praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, so instead,
we pray asking God to lead us not into temptation but instead, to deliver us
from the evil one.
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With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
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