Lead us Not
“Lead us not into temptation” (Matthew 6:13a). This petition is a confession of weakness. It is from one who has just said, “Forgive me of my sins/debts/trespasses” and “Lead us not into temptation”. Yielding to temptation is not a foregone conclusion. It is possible to overcome, by the grace of Christ, the Overcomer. Temptation and sin are not the same thing. The battle may be so intense that you feel dirty because of the struggle. But if you did not yield you have overcome. Sin is imputed at the point of yielding. “Lead us not into temptation” is linked to “deliver us from the evil one” who is the master designer of temptation. His goal is your destruction.
