Deliver Us From Evil

"Don't lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."

One of the biggest things that changes for God's people as we follow Him, is that sin loses its allure. It makes sense: sin is anything that goes against God, so I can't choose to follow Him and willfully fight against Him at the same time.

But then comes the subject of temptation- wanting to do something that is sin. Temptation is hard because it can take our view off of Jesus, and then sin can start to look good. Things get pushed out of perspective.

It can be so hard because I really do want to serve God, I really do love Him. And I really, really don't wanna sin and mess up my ability to do those things! But I get tired, or I just don't wanna put in the effort to resist temptation. Or I get so used to certain sins, or I get things mixed all up and start to believe I'm helpless to this- that there is no alternative to giving up.

And then I mess up and it's really frustrating, because I know exactly where I went wrong, and I'd change it, but now I can't.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but with the temptation will also provide a way out, so that you can stand up under it.

So it's possible to do the right thing, to stand against my own habits and the lies that are being whispered to me silently.

It's just really hard.

So, God, I know I'm gonna be tempted. But when I'm walking into a trap, could you steer me away from it? I think that's what the first phrase means.

The second phrase is also really important.

I used to belong to Satan, sort of. Not rightfully, exactly, but I was his. His property, his slave, unable to stop myself from doing things I hated and being someone I couldn't stand.

Then God swooped in and rescued me! And life has been an adventure of sorts ever since.

But sometimes I find myself wandering back to the familiar, old places without even realizing. Before I know what's up, I get all tangled up and trapped where I used to be. I find myself doing things I don't want to, or not doing the things I should do. I might even start to believe that I was always like this, that I never really changed, even after being with God for so long.

But it's not true!

And God reminds me that I really don't belong here. That I have a better place to be at, and that I can go there anytime. His power is available to me. He will save me again, get me out of my present circumstances and back to where I belong.

Deliver me from my enemy.

And give me strength not to go back so easily next time. He can save me from needing to be saved! THAT is true deliverance: not needing to go back anymore.

I think God saves me all the time by teaching me how to stay free.

~Dolly