In this petition we pray that God may order things that we may be kept from temptation, if tempted resist and be enabled to stand, and if having fallen be recovered and restored to fellowship. We both acknowledge our propensity to fall into temptation and our need that God sustain us. God does not tempt man nor can he be tempted by evil; however, God in his providence uses the common temptations of man to improve the spiritual condition of his saints.
Man is naturally vulnerable to temptation and easily drawn away from God. There are several ways in which we can be better prepared to resist temptation. First, there needs to be accountability and vulnerability with certain trustworthy Christians with whom we can share our struggles with particular sins. We should also avoid occasions for sin those occasions which we know will tug at our consciences. Knowledge of the scripture is critical to overcoming temptation – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Next, it is important to know what our pet sins are and what the scripture has to say about them. Finally and most importantly, we should use the prayer of this petition that the Lord has given to us for the express purpose of overcoming temptation.
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Nathan Eshelman holds a Master of Divinity degree from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, MI, as well as a Doctor of Ministry degree from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA. He serves as clerk of the Pacific Coast Presbytery (RPCNA),...