Matthew 6:13 a "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

I. Source of temptation

LSC - God indeed tempts no one to sin; but we pray in this petition that God would so guard and preserve us, that the devil, the world, and our own flesh, may not deceive us, nor lead us into error and unbelief, despair, and other great and shameful sins; but that, when so tempted, we may finally prevail and gain the victory.

            A. Testing vs. temptation

            B. James 1:13 - Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

            God does not desire that we sin, so he is not the tempter

            C. James 1:14 - But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

II. Types of temptation

            A. I Peter 5:9 - 'But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren in the             world.

            Crushing under weight of hardship or pain

            B. Matthew 4 - Urging to a wrong fulfillment of natural desires

             (body, v. 3; fame, v. 6; power, v. 9)

            C. Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one       looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.

            Making complacent, careless, self assertive

            D. II Corinthians 11:3 (cf. Genesis 3:1-5) But I am afraid, lest at the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from            the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ

            Misrepresenting God and engendering false ideas of His truth and will.

III. Power over temptation

LSC - We pray in this petition, as in summary, that our heavenly Father would deliver us from all manner of evil, whether it affect body or soul, property or reputation, and at last, when the hour of death shall come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

            A. Strongholds

            B. Tearing down strongholds

                        1. I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He si faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

                        Confession

                        2. Hebrews 12:15 - See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it                         be defiled.

                        Deal with and take back surrendered ground

                        3. Romans 6:12, 13 - Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the                         members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your                         members as instruments of righteousness to God. Yield your body and its members to righteousness and allow Jesus to be Lord in your              life.

            C. Watch and pray

                        1. Matthew 26:41 - Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

                        2. I Peter 5:8 -Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. The adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.