The Lord's Prayer Part 15: Warfare

“And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

 - Matthew 6:13 (ESV)

    The last petition in the Lord’s Prayer is two-fold. The second part clarifies the first with the word “but” giving us an idea on how they are connected. A better translation is “deliver us from the evil one”. This, of course, is Satan. Together, this petition recognizes human weakness to sin and the strength of an enemy that entices us to sin. It is a prayer for God to deliver us from satanic attacks that we are not able to withstand.

    There are two dangers when dealing with the evil one. First, we minimize Satan’s importance by failing to recognize that he has real spiritual power. Second, we overstate his importance by becoming very afraid of his power. There is no doubt that he is a powerful enemy. His tactics include domination (Acts 10:38, 2 Timothy 2:26), temptation, accusation (Revelation 12:10), and deception (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). Jesus, however, has already won against him through his death and resurrection. We are dealing with a defeated enemy.

"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son..."

-Colossians 1:13 (ESV)

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."

- Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)

    Until Jesus Christ returns to take his rightful throne here on earth and Satan will be finally thrown into the abyss,  we will be dealing against this enemy daily. Thus we pray for our Savior to continue to keep us from falling into the enemy's schemes. We cannot have victory over Satan on our own. The battle is won through Jesus Christ.

"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."

-Jude 1:24-25 (ESV)