..and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

There was a moment in history when the incarnate Son of God was praying to God the Father and a disciple of Christ asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus’ response was,

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. ¹⁰ Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread, ¹² and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Mt. 6:9-13 ESV

This is sometimes called “The Lord’s Prayer” but a better name would be “The Disciple’s Prayer” or “A Prayer Model for Christians” since some of the content (i.e. forgive us) would not be a prayer the sinless Savior needed to pray.

It’s the last two phrases of this prayer model I want to elaborate on here. In vss11-12, the focus was asking God for our daily provisions and asking God to forgive us and we acknowledge our need to forgive others. The next petition looks ahead to future temptations and encounters with evil, because we are vulnerable to sinning beyond this very moment and we need God’s help to be overcomers when we are tempted and when evil comes upon us.

We are born with a sin nature in our flesh and minds and that means we are contaminated with sin, so to speak, but we are also vulnerable to sinning and we in fact do sin by choice. Our very own thoughts and desires can lead to sin, engaging in something that is morally wrong, whether it’s committing wrong or omitting right in the eyes of God. There are also external influences that can lure us into sinning with our thoughts, desires, attitudes, and behavior.

All people experience temptation to sin. Temptation itself is not sin but temptation to sin can actually become a sin when we give into the wrongful desire and thought.

Here’s a classic example; I’m sun-bathing at the community pool and notice some female in a bikini walk by and I look and then I have the tempting thought to lust after her body, but I chose in that moment to just acknowledge mentally that she is attractive and then I move on to other thoughts and subjects in my mind keeping them God-honoring. I’ve had many successes in Christ in recent years with this sort of temptation but I’ve also failed in the flesh before when such temptations to sin come upon me.

Let’s clarify the meaning of this prayer petition to God, “and lead us not to temptation”.

This doesn’t mean God causes us or forces us to sin. In fact, we read in Scripture that God doesn’t tempt people to sin.  

James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

A better wording for this prayer petition could be “Do not lead us into the place of testing" or "do not lead us into circumstances where we will be tempted.”

For example, if you struggle with alcohol, then ask God to not lead you to a place where people are drinking alcohol. Or if you struggle with lust, then ask God to not lead you to a place where there is a Victoria’s Secret catalog or swimsuit magazines or websites with such content.

We do see in Scripture, God testing people and leading them to a moment of great testing. He arranges for His people to be tested. He allows His people to be tested.

Abraham is an example of someone being put to a great test by God who told Abraham to go sacrifice his promised son, Isaac. But at the last second, God the Provider, provided a lamb to take Isaac’s place. God tested Abraham’s faith in God and He also taught Abraham a lesson on who is most important, God Almighty.

God also at times gives permission to the Devil to tempt us to sin. We see this in the book of Job. We also read that Jesus said Satan had asked to sift Peter like wheat.

Pastor/Author John MacArthur wrote “God allows the trials in which temptation can occur, not to solicit believers to sin, but to move them to greater endurance.” God wants to grow His people in holiness and into great faith and obedience in Christ.

Jesus is teaching us in this prayer model that we are to ask God to not lead us into such testing. We are to pray that we don’t experience such testing and temptation to sin, for we are very vulnerable to sinning.

Is there a testing or temptation you are struggling with right now that you need to cry out to God about and tell a trusted friend about?

I’m tempted with pride, selfishness, and lust a lot. I’m tempted with self-sufficiency and to not spend quality time with God in my personal time. I’m tempted to envy what others have. I’m tempted to be spiritually lazy instead of focusing on the main thing in Christ. I need to ask God for help in these matters regularly, before and during temptations, and I need to depend on Christ moment to moment.

God, do not lead us into temptation! This petition follows with another petition and they go together. God, do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil.

The original Greek word here translated “evil” in some Bibles is not the neuter form but masculine form which means the most accurate translation would be “Evil one” instead of just evil. Evil One definitely refers to Satan, the Devil, who is the lead spiritual enemy of God although nowhere near equal to and definitely not greater than God.

Pastor/Author Warren Wiersbe wrote, “Do not lead us into temptation simply means keep me alert. Keep me aware of the fact that the Wicked One, the Devil, is around and that he wants to trip me up.”

Are we alert, on guard, discerning between right and wrong, and knowing who the enemies of God are and how they work?

In Scripture, Satan is referred to as the tempter and accuser of God’s people and God, for the time being at times, allows Satan to tempt or test His people. Jesus, thru this prayer model, is teaching us to ask God to deliver us specifically from the Devil and his works of evil. And I believe there is a principle here that can be applied to any demon and anyone who is serving the devil.

A real time example of these prayer petitions was the night Jesus was in the garden just before His arrest when He exhorted His disciples like this, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Jesus knew there would be spiritual warfare that evening and the devil would attack Him and His disciples. So, pray in advance of such attacks and pray during those tests and temptations. Pray for yourself about this and pray for others (notice the community context in this prayer model) as the Lord leads you.

Satan is the great tempter and He’s also an accuser who accuses us of not being right with God, or not being a good person, and we struggle with shame and unhealthy bad guilt. We think we are losers, failures, and don’t matter, or we are not truly saved when you actually are by God’s grace through faith in Christ.

Jesus provides His redeemed with victory over the devils’ accusations:

Romans 8:33-34 ESV Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

And Jesus is our great deliverer:

Galatians 1:3-5 ESV Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ⁴ who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

There are many other Bible verses to help us with spiritual warfare:

James 4:7 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 John 4:4 ESV Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

See also Ps. 3:3, 34:7...

Theologian RC Sproul’s comments related to this prayer petition:

 “Martin Luther is a powerful example in this. Luther had an acute awareness of the presence of Satan. On one occasion, he threw his inkwell across the room, saying he had seen Satan’s unbridled assault against him to try to make him compromise, fall into despair, or deny the faith. In this struggle, Luther resorted to prayer, and he went to his knees every day to pray the Lord’s Prayer, specifically this petition; do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

We should be asking God regularly to help us avoid the entrapments and dangers related to sin that we would trust Him to help us be overcomers in Christ when we are tempted to sin and that He would deliver us from any sin bondage and attacks of the enemies of God in our lives.

Praise God that when we are tempted, God provides a way out:

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

  

And when we do sin; God’s process for getting right and being right with Him is confessing that sin and accepting His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Praise God we can be cleansed of our sins and be reconciled and right with God. This divine process is available to us not as a license to sin but by God’s grace to help us grow in personal holiness. We need to also ask God to help us repent of our sinful ways and, instead of sinning, to help us cultivate holiness in our lives.

RC Sproul’s personal prayer petition: “I often ask myself how I would measure up if God allowed me to be severely tested. I honestly don’t know and I don’t want to have to find out. So I often pray this petition to the Lord’s Prayer, asking; O Lord, please, please, keep that hedge around me. Don’t put me in that place of testing. Deliver me from the Evil One, who goes about like a roaring lion, ready to devour whomever he will. I pray for divine protection from all the forces of evil that surround us, and I believe this petition should be on every believers’ lips each day.”

How about you and me? Are we regularly praying, with faith in God, this prayer model for ourselves and others? God, do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil One!

What are your thoughts on what I’ve included here about this prayer petition?

Mike

Overcoming Temptation

All people experience temptation, but I’m not writing about being tempted to eat a donut occasionally or being tempted to get out of your comfort zone to speak to someone you find attractive or being tempted by a friend to engage in a potentially dangerous recreation activity. I am writing about our very own thoughts and desires that can lead to sin, engaging in something that is morally wrong, whether it’s committing wrong or omitting right in the eyes of God. I am writing also about influences that can lure us into sinning with our thoughts, desires, attitudes, and behavior.

James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Temptation to sin is not sin but such a temptation can lead to sin when we give into the wrongful desire and thought. Example; I forgot to attend a meeting and I’m asked why I did not attend and I’m tempted to lie about my reason but instead of choosing to lie I choose to tell the truth. Just because I had a fleeting thought about possibly lying is not sin. That was a temptation to sin. Another example; I’m sun-bathing at the beach and notice some slender young female in a bikini walk by and I look and then I have the tempting thought to lust after her body but instead I just acknowledge mentally that she is attractive and move on to other thoughts. This is an example of temptation without sinning. Now, if I had lied or fantasized about having sexual activity with the beach girl then I would have sinned according to God’s Word (i.e. Mt. 19:18, 5:28).

All people have experience with temptation and with sinning (Rom. 3:23, 1 John 1:8). When you do sin, God has given His people a proper process to go through to get right with Him and move forward in His grace. Check out my blog entries about this at

http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-best-forgiveness-of-all.html

http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2013/09/living-in-grace-not-guilt.html

Praise God that He is forgiving but let’s not presume upon His grace and mercy by thinking we have some sort of license to sin and everything will be okay in the end. No, instead, let’s be holy as God has called us to be holy.

What I’m really focused on for this blog entry is consistently overcoming the temptation to sin and this is possible in Christ when we trust Him and apply relevant biblical principles to overcoming temptation. This is the short version and if you want to read all the extra Bible verses you can read the longer version at http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2014/10/overcoming-temptation-longer-version.html

Check out this early occurrence of the word ‘sin’ in God’s Word.

Genesis 4:7 NLT You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

Here are three principles to heed from this verse:

A. Acknowledge and learn more about the temptation to sin conflict

Watch out! There is a real spiritual conflict related to sin in this world and in our lives! God’s Word proclaims that we exist in a spiritual war. There are real spiritual enemies of God including the devil, demons, sinful ways of the world, and our own sinful flesh/nature.

- Eph. 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Cain did not realize just how vulnerable to sin he was. Let’s ask God to help us have a greater awareness and understanding of God’s will and of temptation and sin and the schemes of the spiritual enemies of God and just how weak and vulnerable to sin we really are. See also Mark 14:38, 2 Cor. 10:3-5.

B. Discern between right and wrong

Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Our greatest resource and standard for such discernment is God’s Word. For example, from God’s Word we learn about holiness and righteousness and unholiness and unrighteousness. We learn that selfishness is wrong but humbly serving others is good and that lying is wrong but telling the truth is good and that sexual relations outside of marriage is wrong but sexual relations inside a marriage between one man and one woman is good.

The Holy Bible gives us a moral compass to live by. There are commandments and principles of morality for God’s people today. Our road to more consistent victory over temptation must include our growing discernment between right and wrong in the eyes of God. This requires regular quality Bible learning/application, prayer, and discipleship learning from mature Christ-followers. Ask God to show you from Scripture what is right and what is wrong. Ask Him to give you discernment to help with decision making, thoughts, desires, attitudes, and actions. See also 1 John 4:1.

C. Master your temptations to sin

The master of all masters, the master over all, is Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:18, 1 Tim. 6:15). The key to our mastering temptation is based on the person and work of Jesus Christ, trusting Him as Savior and Lord, and living for the glory of God based on God’s Holy Word.

Here are ten biblical principles (and several verses) to help you become a master over temptation to sin:

1) Trust God; He’s Powerful and He’s faithful to His people.

a. Jesus, the God-man, was tempted but did not sin (Heb. 4:15).

b. John 16:33b.. take heart! I (Jesus) have overcome the world.

c. 1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

- God will not allow His people to be tempted to sin beyond their ability to resist. We aren’t tempted to sin in ways that no one else has ever been tempted with and God is faithful (to His redeemed) in that He won’t let His people be tempted beyond their ability to resist. God provides His people a way of enduring and escaping the temptation to the point of not sinning. Praise God! Expect this. Believe this. Ask God to help you live this.

- Jesus, as well as the Holy Spirit, is greater than he (the devil or any enemies of God) that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

- God is all-powerful (Rev. 19:6); God has given Christ-followers the Holy Spirit to help us. Also Eph. 3:20-21

- Victory comes through Christ (1 Cor. 15:57)! Over what? temptation, sin, and death

- Jesus is our great Deliverer from the bondage of sin (Gal. 1:3-5).

- See also 2 Thes. 3:3, Col. 2:13-15, Heb. 2:14, 18

- Christ’s atoning work on the cross for our sins struck a death blow to the devil and demons. Jesus is greater than them and we have victory over them in Christ and it’s just a matter of time before they are all imprisoned in the eternal Lake of Fire (Rev. 19-20). God has all the power we need to overcome this temptation to sin issue.

2) Pray for victory over your temptation.

God teaches us through His Word of the importance of praying to Him, that we need the Holy Spirit’s help in praying, that we are to ask in the name of Christ, that we are to pray with genuine faith and according to God’s  will, that such prayer makes a difference. Our real victory is in Christ, so pray for victory and thank Him for it.

James 5:16b NLT The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

See also Eph. 6:18, Rom. 8:26, John 14:13-14, James 1:6, 5:15; 1 John 5:14, Matt. 6:13, 1 Cor. 15:57.

Here is an example relevant prayer to starting the day out (i.e. The Holy Foundation Stage): Holy Father God in the name of Jesus Christ by way of the Holy Spirit, I pray that You protect me spiritually and practically from the enemies of God and the weakness of my flesh. May I be dead to worldly influences and fleshly passions that are wrong in Your eyes. When I am tempted to sin help me find a way out of it, acknowledging that You, Jesus, have overcome the world and that the Spirit of God within me is greater than he who is in the world. Help me not give the devil or anyone else a sinful foothold in my life. Help me learn from past experiences and consequences of sinning. Help me experience consistent victory in Christ over temptation. Thank You, Jesus.

Here is an example prayer when you are being tempted to sin (i.e. The Holy Fighting Stage): Holy Father God in the name of Jesus Christ by way of the Holy Spirit, I rebuke the enemies of God and the weakness of my flesh right now. Frustrate their plans. Jesus, reign in my life right now, in my thoughts, my emotions, and my body and spiritual life. I want You to be on the throne of my life right now. Help me identify any unconfessed sin right now. I confess those.  Help me repent of my sin. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Help me find a way out from this temptation to sin. Help me submit to You and resist the devil and he will flee from me. Deliver me from any footholds of sin and any bondage to sin in my life. Help me experience victory over these temptations and the enemies of God; a victory that comes by my belief, faith, and trust in You Jesus, Your name, Your blood that was spilt on the cross to atone for my sins, and Your resurrection. Thank You, Jesus.

And you can include other various relevant Bible verses (like those found in this blog) in such prayers.

3) Keep God's Word close to your heart. 

Ps. 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. ¹⁰ With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you

Jesus used Scripture when tempted by the Devil (See Mt. 4). The Word of God is foundational to our life of holiness and foundational in experiencing victory over temptation and sin.

Think of this spiritual war in terms of your offense and defense. The offense includes preparing for battle, preparing for the attacks of the enemies of God, building on the foundation of Christ day to day with increased faith in Him, learning and living out biblical principles individually and in Christian community, and honoring the Lord. I call this The Holy Foundation Stage. This is how we are to live daily according to God’s Word. Then there is the defense that includes responding to specific temptations by crying out to Christ and praying some ‘go to’ prayers and Bible verses, and reaching out to mature Christ followers for help. I call this The Holy Fighting Stage. Consistently overcoming temptation must include both of these stages.

To illustrate, imagine that Saturday night is usually when you are most tempted to lust and give into sinful pleasures of the flesh. Your holy living throughout the week matters in this moment. It’s foundational in your spiritual maturing sanctification. The more you invest in this stage the more you will be prepared and discerning about the temptation and how to avoid sinning. Then comes Saturday night when you experience the furnace of temptation moment but, remember, you have been laying a holy foundation daily and now you know that you must cry out to Jesus in faith, and pray some key Bible passages, reach out to an accountability partner and flee the situation. You have been training and preparing for this moment and now you trust God to help you through the temptation and avoid sinning. Don’t try to experience victory over temptation by doing only one of these stages or neither.

Of the two example prayers above, #2, the prayer to start the day is part of The Holy Foundation Stage and the prayer for when you are being tempted to sin is part of The Holy Fighting Stage.

4) Christ followers are to stand strong in the Lord and put on the full armor of God.

Eph. 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

- God’s Word teaches that strength comes from the Lord and we are also exhorted by God to be strong. We partner with God in this process. We know that He is the true source of our strength and yet we have a responsibility to be and do what He calls us to be and do. Let’s be courageous and strong, standing firm in Christ as we consistently use the full armor of God. I recommend you study and unpack the meaning of the pieces of armor and the principles in this passage.

5) Holistically submit yourself to godliness.

We are holistic beings. We have a mind (thoughts). We have emotions and feelings and attitudes. We have a physical body. And we have a spirit.

a. Rom. 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

- We are to present our bodies daily to the glory and honor of God.

- Our mind is a battle ground, a mission field because our mind and our thoughts are tempted to think and act in sinful ways. What we see, read, hear, and think about matters. We need God-honoring influences and God-honoring thinking to take place.

b. Eph. 4:19-24 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. ²⁰But that is not the way you learned Christ!—²¹assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, ²²to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

- See also Rom. 8:6, 1 Pet. 1:14-15, 1 Pet. 4:2, Gal. 5:24, 2 Cor. 10:5, Gal. 5:16-17

- Don’t give in to the weakness of the flesh, sin nature. View your body as dead to the sin nature and live to righteousness in Christ. Our attitudes and desires are to honor God. Also, we must be careful not to be feelings and emotions driven. We need to believe God and believe His Word for His people today. Our feelings can deceive us. We need to trust God and His revelation to us.

6) Abstain, resist, and flee.

a. Eph. 4:27 and give no opportunity (NIV foothold; leverage against yourself) to the devil

b. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

c. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

d. 1 Cor. 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

- Joseph is a good example of fleeing from sexual immorality. He ran away from Potipher’s wife after her sexual advances.

e. 1 Thes. 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,⁵ not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

- See also 2 Tim. 2:22, Col. 3:5, Rom. 13:14, 1 Pet. 2:11, Tit. 2:12

- Abstain from things that might lead to compromising situations, to sinning. Don’t just say “no” to temptation to sin, say “yes” to holiness and godliness in Christ.

7) Be an overcomer by faith in Christ.

1 John 5:4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

- Christ-followers are ultimately overcomers by the fact of their salvation in Christ. But there is also a need to emphasize and mature in our daily living faith in Christ. Ask Christ for increased faith (Luke 17:5). Pray that your faith will not fail when tempted (like Jesus did for His disciples; Luke 22:32). Saving and Living faith upon Christ as your Savior and the Lord of your life is essential in having victory over temptation (i.e. 1 Pet. 5:9, Eph. 6:16).

8) Be an overcomer with good.

Rom. 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

See also 1 Pet. 2:8-11

- You won’t overcome evil by wallowing in sin. The good in these verses is the kind of good that pleases God not some form of selfish good or ulterior motive good or fleshly good. God is truly good and true goodness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit in the life of Christ-followers who are also created in Christ to do good works for God’s glory. Seek to be good in Christ and to do good in the name of Christ.

9) Walk the way of the wise and understand the Lord’s will.

Eph. 5:15-17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

- Don’t be foolish or lazy. Redeem your time and ask God for wisdom for living. Prioritize your time around God’s will for your life (James 1:5-6, 4:13-15).

- There is much about God’s will that is understandable (with God’s gracious help) or this Bible statement by Paul would not be true. Much of God’s will for us is already revealed through Scripture; sometimes in specifics and at other times with principles to live by.

10) Do all to the glory of God.

1 Cor. 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

This is an over-arching purpose verse for us. Whatever the thought, desire, or decision to make, ask yourself, ‘If I move forward with this, will I be glorifying and pleasing the Lord according to His Word and character and will?’ We have a choice to please God or not with our thoughts, desires, attitudes, actions, and spiritual lives. Let’s choose holiness according to God’s standard. Let’s choose to honor God and glorify God with our lives. Let’s trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and live for Him.

As you can see, God provides and promises His people all kinds of help in the battle with temptation and sin.  

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Pet. 1:3-4

In Christ, we can consistently overcome temptation to sin by trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord and living for the glory of God based on God’s Holy Word.

What are your thoughts about what I’ve posted here regarding overcoming temptation?

Mike

Note: All Bible verses are ESV unless otherwise noted. 

Overcoming Temptation (longer version)

All people experience temptation, but I’m not writing about being tempted to eat a donut occasionally or being tempted to get out of your comfort zone to speak to someone you find attractive or being tempted by a friend to engage in a potentially dangerous recreation activity. I am writing about our very own thoughts and desires that can lead to sin, engaging in something that is morally wrong, whether it’s committing wrong or omitting right in the eyes of God. I am writing also about influences that can lure us into sinning with our thoughts, desires, attitudes, and behavior.

James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Temptation to sin is not sin but such a temptation can lead to sin when we give into the wrongful desire and thought. Example; I forgot to attend a meeting and I’m asked why I did not attend and I’m tempted to lie about my reason but instead of choosing to lie I choose to tell the truth. Just because I had a fleeting thought about possibly lying is not sin. That was a temptation to sin. Another example; I’m sun-bathing at the beach and notice some slender young female in a bikini walk by and I look and then I have the tempting thought to lust after her body but instead I just acknowledge mentally that she is attractive and move on to other thoughts. This is an example of temptation without sinning. Now, if I had lied or fantasized about having sexual activity with the beach girl then I would have sinned according to God’s Word (i.e. Mt. 19:18, 5:28).

All people have experience with temptation and with sinning (Rom. 3:23, 1 John 1:8). When you do sin, God has given His people a proper process to go through to get right with Him and move forward in His grace. Check out my blog entries about this at

http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-best-forgiveness-of-all.html

http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2013/09/living-in-grace-not-guilt.html

Praise God that He is forgiving but let’s not presume upon His grace and mercy by thinking we have some sort of license to sin and everything will be okay in the end. No, instead, let’s be holy as God has called us to be holy.

What I’m really focused on for this blog entry is consistently overcoming the temptation to sin and this is possible in Christ when we trust Him and apply relevant biblical principles to overcoming temptation. This is the short version and if you want to read all the extra Bible verses you can read the longer version at LINK????.  

Check out this early occurrence of the word ‘sin’ in God’s Word.

Genesis 4:7 NLT You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

Here are three principles to heed from this verse:

A. Acknowledge and learn more about the temptation to sin conflict

Watch out! There is a real spiritual conflict related to sin in this world and in our lives! God’s Word proclaims that we exist in a spiritual war. There are real spiritual enemies of God including the devil, demons, sinful ways of the world, and our own sinful flesh/nature.

- Eph. 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Cain did not realize just how vulnerable to sin he was. Let’s ask God to help us have a greater awareness and understanding of God’s will and of temptation and sin and the schemes of the spiritual enemies of God and just how weak and vulnerable to sin we really are. See also Mark 14:38, 2 Cor. 10:3-5.

B. Discern between right and wrong

Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Our greatest resource and standard for such discernment is God’s Word. For example, from God’s Word we learn about holiness and righteousness and unholiness and unrighteousness. We learn that selfishness is wrong but humbly serving others is good and that lying is wrong but telling the truth is good and that sexual relations outside of marriage is wrong but sexual relations inside a marriage between one man and one woman is good.

The Holy Bible gives us a moral compass to live by. There are commandments and principles of morality for God’s people today. Our road to more consistent victory over temptation must include our growing discernment between right and wrong in the eyes of God. This requires regular quality Bible learning/application, prayer, and discipleship learning from mature Christ-followers. Ask God to show you from Scripture what is right and what is wrong. Ask Him to give you discernment to help with decision making, thoughts, desires, attitudes, and actions. See also 1 John 4:1.

C. Master your temptations to sin

The master of all masters, the master over all, is Jesus Christ (Mt. 28:18, 1 Tim. 6:15). The key to our mastering temptation is based on the person and work of Jesus Christ, trusting Him as Savior and Lord, and living for the glory of God based on God’s Holy Word.

Here are ten biblical principles (and several verses) to help you become a master over temptation to sin:

1) Trust God; He’s Powerful and He’s faithful to His people.

a. Jesus, the God-man, was tempted but did not sin (Heb. 4:15).

b. John 16:33b.. take heart! I (Jesus) have overcome the world.

c. 1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

- God will not allow His people to be tempted to sin beyond their ability to resist. We aren’t tempted to sin in ways that no one else has ever been tempted with and God is faithful (to His redeemed) in that He won’t let His people be tempted beyond their ability to resist. God provides His people a way of enduring and escaping the temptation to the point of not sinning. Praise God! Expect this. Believe this. Ask God to help you live this.

- Jesus, as well as the Holy Spirit, is greater than he (the devil or any enemies of God) that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

- God is all-powerful (Rev. 19:6); God has given Christ-followers the Holy Spirit to help us. Also Eph. 3:20-21

- Victory comes through Christ (1 Cor. 15:57)! Over what? temptation, sin, and death

- Jesus is our great Deliverer from the bondage of sin (Gal. 1:3-5).

- See also 2 Thes. 3:3, Col. 2:13-15, Heb. 2:14, 18

- Christ’s atoning work on the cross for our sins struck a death blow to the devil and demons. Jesus is greater than them and we have victory over them in Christ and it’s just a matter of time before they are all imprisoned in the eternal Lake of Fire (Rev. 19-20). God has all the power we need to overcome this temptation to sin issue.

2) Pray for victory over your temptation.

God teaches us through His Word of the importance of praying to Him, that we need the Holy Spirit’s help in praying, that we are to ask in the name of Christ, that we are to pray with genuine faith and according to God’s  will, that such prayer makes a difference. Our real victory is in Christ, so pray for victory and thank Him for it.

James 5:16b NLT The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

See also Eph. 6:18, Rom. 8:26, John 14:13-14, James 1:6, 5:15; 1 John 5:14, Matt. 6:13, 1 Cor. 15:57.

Here is an example relevant prayer to starting the day out (i.e. The Holy Foundation Stage): Holy Father God in the name of Jesus Christ by way of the Holy Spirit, I pray that You protect me spiritually and practically from the enemies of God and the weakness of my flesh. May I be dead to worldly influences and fleshly passions that are wrong in Your eyes. When I am tempted to sin help me find a way out of it, acknowledging that You, Jesus, have overcome the world and that the Spirit of God within me is greater than he who is in the world. Help me not give the devil or anyone else a sinful foothold in my life. Help me learn from past experiences and consequences of sinning. Help me experience consistent victory in Christ over temptation. Thank You, Jesus.

Here is an example prayer when you are being tempted to sin (i.e. The Holy Fighting Stage): Holy Father God in the name of Jesus Christ by way of the Holy Spirit, I rebuke the enemies of God and the weakness of my flesh right now. Frustrate their plans. Jesus, reign in my life right now, in my thoughts, my emotions, and my body and spiritual life. I want You to be on the throne of my life right now. Help me identify any unconfessed sin right now. I confess those.  Help me repent of my sin. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Help me find a way out from this temptation to sin. Help me submit to You and resist the devil and he will flee from me. Deliver me from any footholds of sin and any bondage to sin in my life. Help me experience victory over these temptations and the enemies of God; a victory that comes by my belief, faith, and trust in You Jesus, Your name, Your blood that was spilt on the cross to atone for my sins, and Your resurrection. Thank You, Jesus.

And you can include other various relevant Bible verses (like those found in this blog) in such prayers.

3) Keep God's Word close to your heart. 

Ps. 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. ¹⁰ With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you

Jesus used Scripture when tempted by the Devil (See Mt. 4). The Word of God is foundational to our life of holiness and foundational in experiencing victory over temptation and sin.

Think of this spiritual war in terms of your offense and defense. The offense includes preparing for battle, preparing for the attacks of the enemies of God, building on the foundation of Christ day to day with increased faith in Him, learning and living out biblical principles individually and in Christian community, and honoring the Lord. I call this The Holy Foundation Stage. This is how we are to live daily according to God’s Word. Then there is the defense that includes responding to specific temptations by crying out to Christ and praying some ‘go to’ prayers and Bible verses, and reaching out to mature Christ followers for help. I call this The Holy Fighting Stage. Consistently overcoming temptation must include both of these stages.

To illustrate, imagine that Saturday night is usually when you are most tempted to lust and give into sinful pleasures of the flesh. Your holy living throughout the week matters in this moment. It’s foundational in your spiritual maturing sanctification. The more you invest in this stage the more you will be prepared and discerning about the temptation and how to avoid sinning. Then comes Saturday night when you experience the furnace of temptation moment but, remember, you have been laying a holy foundation daily and now you know that you must cry out to Jesus in faith, and pray some key Bible passages, reach out to an accountability partner and flee the situation. You have been training and preparing for this moment and now you trust God to help you through the temptation and avoid sinning. Don’t try to experience victory over temptation by doing only one of these stages or neither.

Of the two example prayers above, #2, the prayer to start the day is part of The Holy Foundation Stage and the prayer for when you are being tempted to sin is part of The Holy Fighting Stage.

4) Christ followers are to stand strong in the Lord and put on the full armor of God.

Eph. 6:10-18 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

- God’s Word teaches that strength comes from the Lord and we are also exhorted by God to be strong. We partner with God in this process. We know that He is the true source of our strength and yet we have a responsibility to be and do what He calls us to be and do. Let’s be courageous and strong, standing firm in Christ as we consistently use the full armor of God. I recommend you study and unpack the meaning of the pieces of armor and the principles in this passage.

5) Holistically submit yourself to godliness.

We are holistic beings. We have a mind (thoughts). We have emotions and feelings and attitudes. We have a physical body. And we have a spirit.

a. Rom. 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ²Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

- We are to present our bodies daily to the glory and honor of God.

- Our mind is a battle ground, a mission field because our mind and our thoughts are tempted to think and act in sinful ways. What we see, read, hear, and think about matters. We need God-honoring influences and God-honoring thinking to take place.

b. Eph. 4:19-24 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. ²⁰But that is not the way you learned Christ!—²¹assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, ²²to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

- See also Rom. 8:6, 1 Pet. 1:14-15, 1 Pet. 4:2, Gal. 5:24, 2 Cor. 10:5, Gal. 5:16-17

- Don’t give in to the weakness of the flesh, sin nature. View your body as dead to the sin nature and live to righteousness in Christ. Our attitudes and desires are to honor God. Also, we must be careful not to be feelings and emotions driven. We need to believe God and believe His Word for His people today. Our feelings can deceive us. We need to trust God and His revelation to us.

6) Abstain, resist, and flee.

a. Eph. 4:27 and give no opportunity (NIV foothold; leverage against yourself) to the devil

b. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

c. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

d. 1 Cor. 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

- Joseph is a good example of fleeing from sexual immorality. He ran away from Potipher’s wife after her sexual advances.

e. 1 Thes. 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴ that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,⁵ not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

- See also 2 Tim. 2:22, Col. 3:5, Rom. 13:14, 1 Pet. 2:11, Tit. 2:12

- Abstain from things that might lead to compromising situations, to sinning. Don’t just say “no” to temptation to sin, say “yes” to holiness and godliness in Christ.

7) Be an overcomer by faith in Christ.

1 John 5:4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

- Christ-followers are ultimately overcomers by the fact of their salvation in Christ. But there is also a need to emphasize and mature in our daily living faith in Christ. Ask Christ for increased faith (Luke 17:5). Pray that your faith will not fail when tempted (like Jesus did for His disciples; Luke 22:32). Saving and Living faith upon Christ as your Savior and the Lord of your life is essential in having victory over temptation (i.e. 1 Pet. 5:9, Eph. 6:16).

8) Be an overcomer with good.

Rom. 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

See also 1 Pet. 2:8-11

- You won’t overcome evil by wallowing in sin. The good in these verses is the kind of good that pleases God not some form of selfish good or ulterior motive good or fleshly good. God is truly good and true goodness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit in the life of Christ-followers who are also created in Christ to do good works for God’s glory. Seek to be good in Christ and to do good in the name of Christ.

9) Walk the way of the wise and understand the Lord’s will.

Eph. 5:15-17 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

- Don’t be foolish or lazy. Redeem your time and ask God for wisdom for living. Prioritize your time around God’s will for your life (James 1:5-6, 4:13-15).

- There is much about God’s will that is understandable (with God’s gracious help) or this Bible statement by Paul would not be true. Much of God’s will for us is already revealed through Scripture; sometimes in specifics and at others times with principles to live by.

10) Do all to the glory of God.

1 Cor. 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

This is an over-arching purpose verse for us. Whatever the thought, desire, or decision to make, ask yourself, ‘If I move forward with this, will I be glorifying and pleasing the Lord according to His Word and character and will?’ We have a choice to please God or not with our thoughts, desires, attitudes, actions, and spiritual lives. Let’s choose holiness according to God’s standard. Let’s choose to honor God and glorify God with our lives. Let’s trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and live for Him.

As you can see, God provides and promises His people all kinds of help in the battle with temptation and sin.  

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 2 Pet. 1:3-4

In Christ, we can consistently overcome temptation to sin by trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord and living for the glory of God based on God’s Holy Word.

What are your thoughts about what I’ve posted here regarding overcoming temptation?

Mike

Note: All Bible verses are ESV unless otherwise noted. 

Jesus is the Answer to ‘Why Pray?’

Years ago, a Christian man asked me, “Why should Christians pray to God?” This is a valid question. This guy had a fatalism background and the Bible does teach that God is in ultimate control so why ask God for help? Why talk to a spiritual being you can’t see? Why speak to someone who rarely seems to talk back?

From my studies in the Holy Bible, I believe the intent of prayer in our lives is to worship God for His glory, to cultivate one’s dependence on God and one’s spiritual intimacy/communion/fellowship with God, to confess sins to God, to praise/thank God for who He is and what He does, to ask God for help (petition/supplication) in one’s life and to ask God for help in other people’s lives (intercessory prayer).

There are several biblically based responses to this question, ‘Why pray?’, but I only want to point out three, in this blog, which are all clearly centered in Jesus Christ Himself. I believe Jesus is the answer to this question. Jesus is the One we must depend on and cry out to for help and He is also the One we look to for instruction and guidance and He is the One we should long to fellowship with. Here are three Christ-centered answers to the question, “Why pray?”

1) Jesus prayed

Prayer was a very prominent activity in the earthly incarnated life of Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:35 ESV And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

The preceding day had been a very busy and exciting for Christ. He was doing a lot of teaching and healing many people who came to Him, but Jesus shortened the hours of needed sleep that night so He might arise early and give Himself to more needed prayer. After a draining day, do we turn to prayer soon after or do we wait awhile or until things get hard again or there is a crisis? While pastoring a church, I recall one night I felt spiritually and emotionally drained after a church business meeting. When I went home, my wife and I talked about the meeting, we both prayed out loud and I called a spiritual mentor of mine and asked for prayer. I also got out of bed around 3am to talk to God and study His Word directly related to what was discussed in that business meeting. And I continued to pray related to our spiritual health and issues related to that particular meeting.

Luke 5:15-16 ESV But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. ¹⁶ But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Jesus often withdrew to pray. How about us, can we use the words ‘often’ and ‘pray’ in the same sentence about our prayer habits?

Luke 6:12-13 ESV In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. ¹³ And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:

Christ found it necessary on one recorded occasion to take a whole night for prayer. Wow! That’s quite a duration of prayer. The next day, He made a very important decision. He chose and called twelve disciples unto Himself, naming them Apostles. When we have a really important decision to make, how much quality prayer goes into it? During one season of pastoring a church, I was wrestling with whether to stay or leave and I engaged in a prayer/worship journey for eight hours one day and then a few weeks later I also did something similar overnight.

Other examples of Jesus praying: After the miraculous feeding of 5000+, Luke 9:18a; just before Jesus walked on water out to His disciples and had a great teachable moment with them, Matt. 14:22-23; Jesus prayed after He was baptized, Luke 3:21; Jesus prayed with some disciples during His transfiguration moment, Luke 9; Jesus prayed for Peter about Peter’s denial in advance of his denial and Jesus prayed in the garden just before He was arrested, Luke 22; Jesus prayed over little children, Matt. 19; John 17 contains a recorded prayer of Christ to God the Father. He prayed blessed thanks over eating occasions, e.g. Mt. 14:19; and prayed to the Father when He raised Lazarus (for the benefit of those nearby who could hear Him, John 11:42).

The words ‘pray’ and ‘prayer’ are used some 25 times or more in connection with Jesus Christ in the brief account of Himself found in the four Gospels in God’s Word. And His praying is mentioned where the words are not used. It is evident that prayer was an important part of His life and ministry. If we say we are Christ-followers, is prayer an important part of our lives? My life?

Prayer is a great spiritual fellowship moment with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Son, Jesus Christ, desired to spend quality spiritual time with God the Father and we should to in the name of Jesus Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. The born again Christ-follower has been spiritually adopted by the Creator Redeemer God. God becomes the saved person’s Heavenly eternal Father. As a human father myself with four young children, I very much want regularly ongoing relationship fellowship moments with my children. I want them to talk to me, reach out to me for help, and enjoy time with me. I would be hurt if they rarely spoke to me or came to me for help and counsel. I want to connect with them relationally on a regularly basis. When you love someone you want to spend time with that person. You want to share your thoughts with that person and enjoy their presence. How is your relationship and fellowship with God? Spend quality genuine time with God through prayer.

Jesus prayed (which is a great example to us) and

2) Jesus exhorted all people to pray.

Luke 18:1 ESV And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Note that the use of the word “they” (or “men” in the NKJV) here in the English translation doesn’t pertain to just one gender or the small few Jesus was probably speaking to at this moment. In the original language and context, this word can and does refer to all people kind of like ‘mankind.’

The English word ‘ought’ doesn’t do this exhortation justice since it can mean ‘obligation’, ‘advisement,’ or ‘natural expectation.’ This word in the original Greek of the New Testament is translated ‘must’ 58 times. The primary meaning of this Greek word is ‘it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper.’ It also means ‘a command and a necessity established by the counsel and decree of God.’

In Luke 17, Jesus taught about the End Times and their difficulties. We are to pray always and not lose heart or grow faint even during the tough times now or when things are really tough in the End Times.

Jesus taught of our need to pray and to never give up praying. This is not always easy. We naturally drift toward laziness and faint heartedness in this matter. We may not be in the right mood. We may be busy. Genuine earnest praying is draining. How seldom we really pray things through until the end. The enemies of God don’t want us to engage in God-honoring prayer. The enemies of God and weakness of our flesh nature try to weary us and distract us when it comes to praying, but regardless of how challenging quality prayer can be, prayer is an impelling spiritual activity which Jesus taught His followers to engage in.

Jesus also taught us here to pray ‘always.’ Paul wrote something similar later on. 1 Thess. 5:17 ESV pray without ceasing, This is not about literally praying 24/7. This is about talking to God often and regularly throughout your day and night including carved out times and spontaneous moments anywhere, anytime. It’s about a lifestyle of prayer that is a regular consistent part of our lives. I don’t know about you, but this is something that I periodically have to fight to uphold in my life.

Jesus prayed (which is a great example to us) and Jesus told us to pray always without losing heart and

3) Jesus continues to pray for His people.

During His incarnated earthly ministry Jesus prayed for His followers (including future followers); Luke 22:31, John 17. And praise God, His intercession ministry did not cease with His death and resurrection. After His appearances and ascension He ascended to the right hand of God where He continues to this day praying for His followers.

Hebrews 7:23-28 ESV The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, ²⁴ but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. ²⁵ Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. ²⁶ For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. ²⁷ He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. ²⁸ For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Jesus Christ is the only perfect High Priest, the one we all truly need. He has made atonement for our sins. And those of us who trust in Him as Savior and Lord, He is able to completely save from our sins and He continues to pray the complete salvation of His people. Born again Christ-followers, Jesus Christ carries our salvation on to completeness, through His perfect intercessory prayer. This word “uttermost” in the Greek means all complete, perfect. The verse also tells us that His current intercession for His followers is a key part of His ministry now.

The same thought is found in Romans 8:34 ESV Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

And long beforehand Isaiah wrote down some prophecy about the suffering Servant (the future Messiah) who makes intercession for sinners (Isa. 53:12) and this is what Jesus Christ fulfilled and is fulfilling now.

What does Christ’s current intercessory ministry for Christ-followers mean for His followers today? Check out what R.A. Torrey wrote. “If we then are to have fellowship with Christ in His present work, we must spend much time in prayer, we must give ourselves to earnest, constant, persistent, sleepless, overcoming prayer.

I know of nothing that has so impressed me with a sense of importance of praying at all seasons, being much and constantly in prayer, as the thought that this is the principle occupation at present of my risen Lord. I want to have fellowship with Him, and to that end I have asked the Father whatever else He may make me, to make me at all events an intercessor, to make me a man who knows how to pray, and who spends much time in prayer. This ministry of intercession is a glorious and a mighty ministry, and we can all have part in it. The man or the woman who is shut away from the public meeting by sickness can have part in it. The busy mother, the woman who has to take in washing for a living can have part, she can mingle prayers for the saints, and for her pastor, and for the unsaved, and for foreign missionaries, with the soap and water as she bends over the washtub, and not do the washing any more poorly on that account. The hard driven man of business can have part in it, praying as he hurries from duty to duty. But of course we must, if we would maintain this spirit of constant prayer, take time and take plenty of it, when we shall shut ourselves up in the secret place alone with God for nothing but prayer.” (How To Pray; R.A. Torrey; Moody Press; pg13-14)

Praise God, Jesus Christ prays for people who trust Him for salvation and for those who have yet to trust Him for salvation.

Why pray? Well, Jesus Christ is the best answer to this question. Jesus prayed. Jesus told us to pray. Jesus prays for His people. Jesus Christ is our example and our exhortation when it comes to prayer.

There is much to learn in the Holy Bible about prayer but we don’t have to become experts in knowledge about prayer before engaging in God-honoring prayer. When it comes to praying to God, just do it, get started and learn and grow in prayer over time. Let’s be humble students of prayer, learning from God’s Word about prayer and most importantly, praying, and praying often, anytime, anywhere, praying alone and praying with others and praying according to a daily schedule, if you don’t already. Get right with God through prayer. Worship God through prayer. Fellowship with God through prayer. Pray to God for others. Pray to God for yourself. Pray to God!

What are your thoughts about what I’ve included here about Jesus being the answer to the question, ‘Why pray?’

Mike