Topical Bible: Temptation: Saints should Pray to be Kept From

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In the Christian life, the concept of temptation is a significant theme, as it represents the trials and challenges that believers face in their spiritual journey. The Bible provides guidance on how saints—those set apart for God—should approach temptation, emphasizing the importance of prayer as a means of seeking divine protection and strength to resist.

Biblical Foundation

The Lord's Prayer, as taught by Jesus, includes a direct petition concerning temptation: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). This prayer underscores the necessity for believers to seek God's guidance and protection against the allurements and deceptions that could lead them away from righteousness.

The Nature of Temptation

Temptation itself is not sin, but rather the enticement to sin. James 1:14-15 explains, "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." This passage highlights the progression from temptation to sin, illustrating the need for vigilance and prayer to prevent such a progression.

The Role of Prayer

Prayer is a vital tool for believers in their battle against temptation. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, instructed His disciples, "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (Matthew 26:41). This admonition reveals the dual nature of humanity—spiritual willingness contrasted with physical weakness—and the necessity of prayer to fortify the spirit.

Divine Assistance

The Apostle Paul reassures believers of God's faithfulness in providing a way to endure temptation: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). This promise encourages saints to rely on God's provision and strength, accessed through prayer, to overcome the trials they face.

Examples of Prayer Against Temptation

Throughout Scripture, there are numerous examples of individuals who sought God's help in times of temptation. King David, in his penitential psalms, often cried out for divine assistance to remain steadfast in righteousness. Psalm 141:4 is a poignant example: "Do not let my heart incline to any evil thing, to practice wicked deeds with men who do iniquity; let me not partake of their delicacies."

Conclusion

The biblical exhortation for saints to pray to be kept from temptation is a recurring theme that emphasizes the necessity of divine intervention in the believer's life. Through prayer, believers acknowledge their dependence on God and seek His strength to resist the snares of the evil one, thereby maintaining their commitment to a life of holiness and obedience.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 6:13
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For your is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Essence of Prayer.
... infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as ... in danger to be protected,
in temptation to be ... In the supplication of saints, prayer and adoration go ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxix the essence of prayer.htm

Go Back? Never!
... divine grace, I do not marvel that saints should persevere, but ... he not have kept
us from temptation?" There is ... was the Master's intention that we should all be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/go back never.htm

The Two Guards, Praying and Watching
... faith once for all delivered to the saints." When you ... right hand, sooner than that
these should cause you ... Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the two guards praying and.htm

Letter vi. Temptation.
... and from the experience of eminent saints who have ... that ye enter not into temptation."
"Take heed ... a secret correspondence with them, we should be continually on ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter vi temptation.htm

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
... may hide his face from his dearest saints (Isaiah 8 ... for lost, upon almost every trick
and temptation of Satan ... may tell them to whom they should pray, and through ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/i will pray with the.htm

Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish.
... has kept me faithful in the day of temptation, so that ... have seen again the countenances
of the saints of my ... fear lest the work I have commenced should fall to ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/patrick the apostle of the.htm

The Pilgrim's Longings
... might that keeps the feet of the saints, and preserves ... Could he not have kept us
from temptation?" There is ... never the Master's intention that we should all be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the pilgrims longings.htm

God's Care Over Me
... town called Naperville to visit some saints and to ... ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a ... was danger ahead and that I should pray earnestly for ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xvi gods care over.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... will always have need of watchfulness against temptation and sin. ... neglected; but
in all such cases we should fear to ... not to fear that any of the saints will be ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

Perseverance
... If anything should hinder the saints, perseverance, it must be
either sin or temptation: but neither of these can. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 perseverance.htm