John 17:15
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:15
In this second prayer, Jesus pivots from the cause of division to a plea for protection. He does not ask God to remove his followers from the world; rather, He asks for divine preservation—guarding them from the evil that seeks to corrupt or destroy their mission. This aligns with the broader biblical pattern: believers are called to remain in the world to be witnesses, yet they require God’s safeguarding against the moral and spiritual harms present in society—temptation, deception, moral compromise, and spiritual assault. The phrase “the evil” (often translated as the evil one or the evil in general) points to Satan’s ongoing activity as a counterfeit to God’s truth.
Historically, the apostles faced martyrdom, temptations, and doctrinal challenges from competing teachers. Culturally, the church would soon need protection as it spread through pagan and Jewish contexts, where moral and religious pressures could derail faith.
Protection here is twofold: external safety to fulfill mission and internal integrity to remain faithful to the truth. It emphasizes God’s sovereignty over history and the church’s fragile, dependent posture. The verse also reinforces the permeating presence of evil and the necessity of divine support to resist it. This prayer shows Jesus’ care for the community’s unity and perseverance, not mere survival. It anchors the believer’s security in God’s power rather than worldly safeguards.
Practical steps today:
- Cultivate spiritual disciplines—scripture, prayer, Sabbath rest—to resist moral fatigue and deception.
- Build a fellowship that prays specifically for protection against erroneous teaching and harmful influences.
- Exercise discernment about media, friendships, and environments that consistently pull away from gospel truth.
- Pray rehearsing the truth of the gospel into everyday life—protecting your heart and mind with truth.
- Seek wisdom for digital and social spaces where disputes can entrap or distort.
Cross-References: Ephesians 6:10–18; John 10:28–29; 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13; Romans 16:20; 2 Thessalonians 3:3