Temptation

Pray then like this:
Our Father who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
– Matthew 6:9-13

This is the prayer Jesus gave us—the Our Father. Short, yet powerful. When asked how we should pray, He didn’t offer a formula for getting what we want. He gave us a prayer that centers us on God’s will, God’s provision, and God’s mercy. But one line often raises questions: “Lead us not into temptation.” Would God ever lead us into sin?
The Greek word translated as “temptation” is peirazō—which can also mean to test or prove. In Isaiah 48:10, the Lord says, “I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” God doesn’t tempt us to sin—but He does refine us through trials, removing impurities like a silversmith purifies metal.
We face temptations and tests daily. Some feel impossible to overcome.
But Scripture assures us: “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
God does not lead us to sin. He leads us through fire—to purify our hearts and minds. In a world full of distractions, temptations are always within reach. But so is God. Give Him your time. Go to Him in prayer. Be still with Him. And remember: our battles are not merely physical or emotional—they are spiritual.
So call on Yahweh Tsebaoth, the LORD of Hosts. He is the commander of heaven’s armies, and He fights for you.
“They will call on My name, and I will answer them.” (Zechariah 13:7-9)
When we pray, “Deliver us from evil,” we’re not just asking for escape from sin—we’re asking for refinement, for righteousness, for the strength to endure the fire without being consumed.
But we also call on El Tsaddik, the Righteous God. He is not only mighty—He is morally perfect, just, and faithful.
He does not test us arbitrarily. He tests us to reveal what is true, to refine what is holy, and to restore what is broken.
“The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works.” (Psalm 145:17)
So when temptation comes, we don’t just ask for escape—we ask to be made righteous. We ask to be shaped by the fire, not scorched by it. We ask to be delivered not just from evil, but into the character of El Tsaddik.