Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation… 1. It is not implied in the petition that God is our tempter. But — 2. It does imply that, in some way, God has a control over the influences or the powers that tempt us. 3. The petition implies on the part of us who offer it — (1) That we feel our weakness; (2) That we shall be watchful against the circumstances and conditions in which temptation is likely to find us; (3) That we shall keep ourselves mindful of our particular weaknesses; (4) That we shall quicken ourselves to watchfulness by keeping mindful of the sad results that can come from yielding to temptation; (5) That we keep ourselves aware of the fact that temptation usually comes in some fair disguise; (6) That we are watchful against the first approaches of sin, the first steps in evil. (G. W. Field, D. D.)We must not flatter ourselves that this petition will be granted in its full extent. We must not flatter ourselves that God will enable us to go through life without being exposed to any sort of temptation. For this world is a place of trial and discipline. Now without some kind of temptation we should have no trials, and no opportunity of exercising several of the Christian graces. It is only in war and in battle that the soldier — and the Christian, remember, is God's soldier — can learn his duty thoroughly. He may learn to handle his arms in peace; but the coolness, the quickness, the watchfulness, the caution, the steady, unbending courage, which distinguish the veteran from the recruit, are only to be gained on actual service. So it is only by actual service against God's enemies, it is only by passing through temptations and trials, that the Christian can be trained to his work. He needs to be taught the lesson of his own weakness. He needs to be taught to watch and guard against the surprises and stratagems of the foe. He needs to be perfected in faith and patience. How is all this to be done, if he is kept, like a plant under a glass, from every breath and touch of temptation? No; we shall assuredly be led into temptation whether we pray against it or not; because there is no earthly road to heaven but has its own pitfalls and its own snares. This is a sad but certain truth; and I should only deceive you were I to tell you otherwise. (A. W. Hare.) Parallel Verses KJV: And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. |
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