Of God's Leading us into Temptation
Of God's Leading us into Temptation Quest. 106. WHAT do we pray for in the sixth petition?
A. In the sixth petition, which is, [And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil:] we pray, that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.
Q. 1. Why is this petition joined to the former with the copulative and?
A. Because it will be but little advantage to have former sins pardoned, and to be left to the power and practice, to the love and trade of sin for the future; Ezek. 18:26. When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done, shall he die.
Q. 2. What is meant by temptation?
A. In general, a trial or probation of what is in us, or of what we will do.
Q. 3. What is meant by temptation here?
A. Temptation to sin and wickedness.
Q. 4. How may we be said to be tempted to sin?
A. (1.) Effectually by ourselves, and our own hearts; Jam. 1:14, 15.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (2.) Formally, with an intention to draw into sin; and so we are tempted of the devil; 1
Chron. 21:1. And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. Mat. 4:1, 3. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into
the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (3.) Innocently, and blamelessly; and so God is said to tempt; 2 Sam. 24:1. And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel; and he moved David against them to say, Go number Israel and Judah.
Q. 5. How many ways may God be said to tempt evil?
A. (1.) By withdrawing his grace, either common or special; 2 Chron.
32:31. Howbeit, in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land; God left him to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. (2.) By permitting Satan, and wicked men, to tempt; 2
Sam. 24:1. He moved David against them, to say, Go and number Israel and Judah. With 1 Chron. 21:1. Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David. Matth. 4:1. Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. (3.) By presenting occasions in his providence, which he knows will be abused to sin; as in the fall of Adam, the hardening of Pharaoh, &c.
Q. 6. What do we beg in this petition?
A. We beg, that we may not any of these, or any other ways, whereby the holy God may be said to lead into temptation, be led thereinto;
Psalm 141:1. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity; and let me not cat of their dainties, Psal. 19:13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Q. 7. What is meant by evil?
A. Some understand of the devil, but the best meaning is sin, which is the evil of evils, and makes the devil evil, and is the worst of evils the devil can bring upon us, and is usually so understood in scripture; Psalm 97:10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil, Isa. 1:16.