Bible Verse Sunday #58

Today on Bible Verse Sunday, we look at Matthew 6:13. Also, I would like to wish my dear mother a happy (post) birthday. I hope that she had an great day yesterday! Anyhow, the verse:

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

The ESV Study Bible has this to say about the verse:

"This final (sixths) petition addresses the disciples' battle with sin and evil. Lead us not into temptation. The world translated "temptation" (Gk. peirasmos) can indicate either temptation or testing (see notes on 4:1; James 1:13). The meaning here most likely carries the sense, "allow us to be spared from difficult circumstances that would tempt us to sin" (cf. Matt. 26:41). Although God never directly tempts believers (James 1:13), he does sometimes lead them into situations that "test" them (cf. Matt. 4:1; also Job 1; 1 Pet. 1:6, 4:12). In fact, trials and hardships will inevitably come to believers' lives, and believers hold "count it all joy" (James 1:2) when trials come, for they are strengthened by them (James 1:3-4). Nonetheless, believers should never pray to be brought into such situations but should pray to be delivered from them, for hardship and temptation make obedience more difficult and will sometimes result in sin. Believers should pray to be delivered from temptations (cf. Matt. 26:41; Luke 22:40, 46; 2 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 3:10) and led in "paths of righteousness" (Ps. 23:3). deliver us from evil. The phrase translated "evil" (Gk. tou ponerou) can mean either "evil" or "the evil one," namely, Satan. The best protection from sin and temptation is to turn to God and to depend on his direction. "For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen" (ESV footnote) is evidently a later scribal addition, since the most reliable and oldest Greek manuscripts all lack these words, which is the reason why these words are omitted from most modern translations. However, there is nothing theologically incorrect about the wording (cf. 1 Chron. 29:11-13) nor is it inappropriate to include these words in public prayers."

Woof! That's a lot of text! Church today was pretty awesome. We had a great sermon about the importance of seeking God's favor instead of trying to impress men, and on the importance of tything. In the High School service, the pastor spoke from the book of Romans, concerning the role of Adam in sin and of Jesus in salvation. Pretty deep stuff, to say the least.