LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION.
By I. L. Green
How meaningless the expression to the many who have repeated it numberless times in their well-conned prayers; for, by the way, very many prayers become so formal, they are but mere recitations. The words fall from their lips without awakening a thought how in the providence of God this can be accomplished. God permits temptations to come very near us, yet not to lure us away, but to remind us of our frailty and pride, and the dreadful consequences of sin. They should serve as reminders of the immense sacrifice, of the suffering, humiliation, and contempt endured, that we might be re-instated in God’s favor. It is not requisite for the development of true character that temptations should be removed, or individuals placed beyond their influence. Trials and temptations endured are the assurance of final success. They strengthen the virtues and help to sound judgment and a right balancing of things. They give integrity and propriety to the whole character. They dignify humanity, and whoever resists temptation secures positions of trust, and distinguishes himself among the honorable. Watchfulness is enjoined with prayer, to be vigilant in discerning and guarding against danger, and closing up the avenues to sin. To pray without watching is to acknowledge weakness, yet make no effort to strengthen the weak points. Man’s necessities become God’s opportunities; and if he will only let His Spirit mold and fashion him, then can God be glorified in and through him. But frequently there is a rising up against the ways and means employed to secure safety. With some, in yielding to temptation there is not so much of an intention to sin as there is a disposition to filch from sin all the pleasures that can be obtained without receiving the penalty. But God is not trifling; he has appointed a time in which every work will be manifest, whether it be good or evil. Day-dreaming, with many, is a realm of temptation the most seductive in which their feet can wander. They are satisfied to live in an ideal world, indulging in idle fancies, filling the vast horizon of the future with glowing images of anticipated success. Yet with all the visionary fervor of their imagination, their fondest dreams must fall short of reality. These feasts of imagination to them far exceed the pleasures of sense. So they continue to dishonor God by leading a sham life. Many who profess to love and serve God will devoutly utter, “Lead us not into temptation,” but in their lives will pursue a course of action so contrary to the dictation of God’s Spirit, that if they are saved from the sin of presumption it must be by divine interposition, which in most cases would not advance the honor and glory of God. Unfortunately for them, God does not reverse the natural order of things, neither does he conform his ways to those of man, to make temptation less irresistible, or to relieve him of his own free agency. All those who pray in sincerity, carrying out in their lives the principles of righteousness, God will help. He declares that he is faithful, and will not suffer any one to be tempted beyond that which can be borne, but will with the temptation provide a way of escape. Then let no one say when the enemy assails, temptations buffet, and darkness presses in upon the soul, that I am tempted above that which I can endure. But flee to the refuge and source of all help as did the psalmist when he cried, “Deliver me in thy righteousness and cause me to escape; incline thine ear unto me and save me. Be thou my strong habitation whereunto I may continually resort; thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.” “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”