Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:13: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
This petition recognizes spiritual warfare and dependence on divine rescue. “Lead us not into temptation” is better understood as “do not let us fall into temptation,” acknowledging human frailty and the Father’s empowering role. In the broader biblical narrative, temptation is a test or lure toward sin; Scripture asserts that God does not tempt anyone to do evil (James 1:13), while also acknowledging that temptation exists and we are vulnerable. The second half, “deliver us from evil,” expresses longing for God’s protective intervention against all that harms human flourishing—sin, spiritual forces of darkness, moral corruption, and harm in the world. The doxology—“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”—affirms God’s sovereignty, signifying trust that God’s reign and power sustain believers through temptation and danger. The context of Jesus teaching includes discipleship under the rule of God, not under personal ambition.
This verse centers God’s sovereignty, human dependence, and divine rescue. It frames life as a journey within God’s royal reign, where God’s power is the source of endurance against evil. The petition also invites ethical responsibility: seeking integrity, avoiding compromising situations, and cultivating spiritual disciplines that strengthen resistance to sin. The phrase reflects eschatological hope: ultimate deliverance will come as God’s kingdom fully manifests. The doxology anchors prayer in worship, reminding believers that triumph over evil flows from God’s character, not from personal cleverness. It also recognizes the reality of spiritual conflict in a fallen world and the need for divine intervention as the only sure defense.
Practical steps:
- Identify situations where you’re prone to temptation (workplace shortcuts, online content, unhealthy relationships) and set practical boundaries.
- Build accountability: partner with a friend for encouragement and honesty about struggles.
- Practice spiritual disciplines: prayer, Scripture, fasting, and worship to strengthen resistance.
- Memorize verses about God’s deliverance and trust God’s sovereignty in uncertain times.
- Develop emergency plans for crises: contact a mentor, seek counseling, or reach out for support when overwhelmed.
Example: if social media temptations lead to envy or rash speech, set time limits, unfollow triggering accounts, and invite a trusted friend to check in weekly.
Cross-References: James 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 16:20; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Psalm 46:1-3