Aug 23 – Deliver Us from Evil!

“And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)

The Tamil rendering of this verse reads, “Deliver us from evil.” However, the English translation conveys the fuller meaning: “Deliver us from the evil one.” Therefore, we ought to pray that God will preserve us from falling into the hands of Satan, the wicked one.

One of Satan’s names is the tempter. His purpose is to lure God’s people into temptation, burden them with sin, and rob them of their spiritual life. Some temptations destroy the peace of a family. Others drive people toward suicide. Still others bring reproach, ruin a believer’s spiritual life, and leave lasting scars. That is why it is essential to pray, “Father, do not let me enter into temptation, but deliver me from the evil one.”

When temptation comes, many become discouraged. Some mistakenly believe that God Himself brings sinful temptations into their lives. But the Scriptures declare: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” (James 1:13)

At the same time, some may wonder whether this contradicts the statement that God tested Abraham (Genesis 22:1). The apparent difficulty arises because the Tamil language often uses the same words for different ideas such as test, trial, and temptation. In English, however, these terms are clearly distinguished, each carrying its own meaning.

A school administers a test to determine whether a student is ready to advance to the next grade. In the same way, when God tests His children, His purpose is to prepare them for promotion, to refine their character, to entrust them with greater responsibilities, and to elevate them in His service.

Satan, however, uses temptation and trials for an entirely different purpose – to pull a person down, ruin his reputation, and ultimately destroy him. He is not only the tempter but also a thief and a murderer. As the Lord Jesus said, he comes only “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”

Dear child of God, the Lord may allow you to pass through seasons of humbling and hardship, but His purpose is altogether different. He uses such experiences to teach you that: “…man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Trust Him in every testing. He is faithful, and He will never permit you to face more than His grace can sustain.

Verse for further meditation: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)