And lead us not in temptation! – 2017.02.01

And lead us not in temptation! – 2017.02.01

Jesus says: This is how you should pray:
Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be your name,
Your Kingdom come,
Your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not in temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Matthew 6: 9-13
God is wholeheartedly good. There is nothing evil in Him. He is holy, true, just, and full of love to His children. Could He ever lead them in temptation? Certainly not, not He. Our own desires lead us in temptation. James highlighted that in James 1: 12-15 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. When tempted no one should say, God is tempting me for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is dragged away by his own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
It is our old, thick and fat ego that leads us in temptation. Still a little more feast, lounging, and a little lie… . And the old me needs always acknowledgement, sweets, holidays, approval through work, friends, and socially attractive idle items as a big car, elegant women, expensive clothing – altogether insatiable. We are only able to overcome that if we strictly ignore each little upcoming evil desire from the very beginning. It has no right on us anymore, it is dead for us, our life is in Jesus!
Jesus was a human being like you and me. He was freezing in the winter, was hot in the sommer. He was hungry and thirsty. Often He did not know where to sleep. All needs we have Jesus bore them as well. He was slandered and betrayed. He was treated with all kind of evil. And yet He did not open His mouth, did not sin in thoughts and not at all in deeds. He was totally a human being when He lived here on earth. He did not make use of His divine power. He was totally dependent on God, His Father. So He lived sinless inmidst of all temptations.
As Jesus was tempted by all possible seductions He can understand and help us in all our trials. He is our High Priest who suffers with us. He knows our weakness and our inability to withstand much.  Therefore He sends us the Holy Spirit who understands, encourages and guides us along the right path. Jesus is our advocate before God. Yes, Jesus is one hundred percent on our side! (see Hebrew 4: 14-16).
Thank You, Jesus, You help us in all temptations. You especially take care that we do not fall away from faith in You. Thank You! You can understand us , can carry our burdens. You are our Advocate before the Father. You send us the Holy Spirit who enables us to go the right, eternal way. On time the evil will be defeated by You for ever. Already now You give us authority to fight against the evil in us, in the world, to resist the devil himself. Thank You, You are at our side!
Bible reading today – Genesis 11


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