6th and 7th Petitions - 'and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.'

DAILY READING

 James 4:1-10

Small Group Discussion Resource

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

Temptation and Humility

by Elaine Pierce

Today we are looking at the 6th and 7th petition of the Lord's Prayer: lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. The two verbs stand out: lead and deliver. God both leads us and delivers us. So how does this passage in James, which seems to focus on Christians who are fighting with one another, connect to this part of the Lord's Prayer?  

What do you think is at the root of quarreling and fighting? James says that they come from 'desires that battle within you. You want something but don't get it.' Temptation is rearing its ugly head - as it says in 1Peter 5:8 - 'your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.' The devil loves a quarrel - what a great opportunity to sow discontent and dissension. How can we respond to such sinful desires? James urges us to humble ourselves before God. Take a look at the different ways James encourages us to fight against sin:

• God gives grace to the humble
• Submit yourselves then, to God.
• Resist the devil, and he will flee
• Come near to God, and he will come near to you
• Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up

How does this look in your life? Are you asking God daily for strength to resist temptation?  Do you recognize it when it comes? Do you have trusted Christian friends who are praying for you? Are you praying for others, that they would come near to God?  

According the google, the words 'humble' and 'humbled' are used 56 times in the Bible.  James uses them twice in these 6 verses. God is waiting for us to come to him, and he is longing to lead us. We get in trouble when we think we can handle our problems without him. He is a good God, and and faithful God. This praise song may help you cement this truth - take a couple of minutes and allow the words to wash over you and bless you.  

PRAYER PRACTICE

Spoken Prayer – Out loud, pray for God to speak to you through your reading. Praise God for giving us His word. Ask the Spirit to help you read with faith, and to live out what you hear from God through the passage.