Why did Christ use this phrase? James tells us that God doesn't tempt us w/ evil, so what would be the point of asking Him not to?
"Lead us not into temptation..."
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Hawaiiski, Dec 10, 2007.
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My understanding is that, it is asking for deliverance from temptation.
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drfuss: Hawaiiski, that is a very good question. I have wondered about that many times, although I have not pursued it.
Hopefully, we will hear some good explanations.
Tentmaker writes: "My understanding is that, it is asking for deliverance from temptation."
To me, "lead us not into temptation" does not mean deliverance. Deliverance does not involve leading, but only after the fact.
Could it mean "keep us away from temptation"?
Later in the prayer He includes deliverance in "deliver us from evil". So I don't think it could mean deliverance or it would have been included along with evil in the prayer.
Since we should be following the leading of the Lord, it probably means what it says. Lead us not into temptation. As stated in the OP, the Lord does not tempt us. However, He does allow temptations for our good. These temptations could come from within us or from others.
Just my thoughts on this. -
Lead us not into tempation; for we do a good job of that on our own.
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As to "what's the point in asking him..." in the same sense we would be "asking" him for his name to be hallowed-- since it is anyway, what the "use?" -
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Leading us into temtation is not the same as tempting us to sin. -
Tentmaker writes: "My understanding is that, it is asking for deliverance from temptation."
To me, "lead us not into temptation" does not mean deliverance. Deliverance does not involve leading, but only after the fact.
Verse 13, taken in its entirety is asking exactly for that, Deliverance from the evil that would tempt us. When I'm not clear on something, I turn to trusted scholars - John Walvoord and Matthew Henry would agree