Journal 2021

How many times have I glibly recited The Lord’s Prayer without understanding this phrase: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”? I have found no satisfactory explanation or commentary on this part of the prayer. I reject the notion that God is the source of temptation (which is what it sounds like). Wouldn’t it be better to say, “Lead us OUT OF temptation”?

Perhaps “testing” is the better translation for “temptation,” in which case does it mean: Don’t bring us into testing. Or keep us away from testing. But that’s not sound theology either, for He does indeed test us.

“Deliver us from evil” could mean: Deliver us from the evil that’s in our hearts. Or: deliver us from the Evil One (Satan and his minions).

If I ask Him to remove the stuff in my heart that draws me to sin, God won’t need to test me in this area. Perhaps the prayer is: Lord, help me to pass the test when I encounter evil.

Is anyone else confused by this phrase?