February 14, 2012

"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Matthew 6:13

Some have called this the Lord's Prayer but it could just as appropriately be called the Disciple's Prayer. It WAS taught by Him but it was designed for them as a guide or a pattern for how to pray. Also, it was a new way for them to think about God.

The more we study this prayer the more we find out about God, about how much we need Him AND how much He has made available to us as we pray!

This final verse in the prayer gives vital truths about spiritual warfare that is being waged against the kingdom of God and the followers of Christ and how believers are to fight back.

Let's begin with the big truths:

There Is Powerful Evil Within Us, "And do not lead us into temptation....."

There Is Personal Evil Against Us, "...but deliver us from the evil one."

There Is Powerful Equipment For Us, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11  -  "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."

Over the next few days we will examine each of those truths more closely but allow me a few more general observations.

If you don't believe you are essentially evil by nature you have never really read the Lord's Prayer. Or, if you read it you didn't get it.

You may be thinking, "Brad, I really take offense at you calling me evil!"

First, I am not calling you evil, God's Word is!

Second, ler me ask you, "Are you ever tempted?" If you are tempted it is because of the evil desires resident within you!"

And if you don't believe there is evil in the world you haven't read the Lord's Prayer. Jesus believed in evil, He often confronted it, was eventually was killed by it and personally, overcame it by His death and resurrection.

Finally, if you don't have spiritual weapons to resist these evils they will overcome you and destroy you!

I urge you to take evil seriously. It is real and it is powerful and you cannot defeat it in your own strength. When you begin to take evil seriously you will find yourself taking this Lord's Prayer or Disciple's Prayer much more seriously. If you don't you are in serious trouble!