“But Deliver Us From Evil”

The Dramatic Rescue That Hallows God’s Name

“But” – A different perspective.

Many have thought the sixth and seventh petitions are really one because of this conjunction.  “Lead us not into temptation” is a desire of our hearts, however, as long as we live in this sinful fallen world, we cannot be free from temptation.  It is in understanding this that we can be reassured of God’s delivering power that goes beyond anything the tempter can devise.  We can’t escape temptation BUT God can deliver us from the evil and the evil one.

“Deliver” – Greek, “to draw out of danger by drawing to oneself” – or “extricate” and “snatch from danger.”

Look at Matt. 27:43 – only an act of divine intervention would qualify.

2 Cor. 1:9-10 – This word is use three times (rescue).  Paul’s choice of this word because he was sure nothing less than God’s deliverance would keep him alive.  When all other hope is gone, God’s deliverance brings our rescue. 

2 Pet. 2:9 – God understands our situation and knows what is best and how to rescue us.

“The Evil” or “The Evil One” – Greek grammar permits either choice.

The O.T. classifies evil as evil people, evil circumstances, or evil inclinations.  The N.T. makes no distinctions, but simply refers to evil in general.  There is a masculine reference to Satan, the evil one.  These two terms are related to each other in the N.T. Behind the threat of evil in general is the sinister conspirator of evil, Satan.  The threat is so real that Jesus prayed that God would keep us from its grip – (Jn. 17:15).  We can only resist this enemy by God’s divine help.  Paul tells us that Christ has disarmed our enemy – (Col. 2:15).  Jesus announced Satan’s final destination in Matt. 25:41.

Through God’s grace, the power of the atonement, and the accountability of community, we find ultimate freedom.

Jesus’ Deliverance From Temptation – He is our example

-         Implicit trust in Gods revealed Word and obedience to it.

-         Complete trust in God without requiring proof before obedience.

-         The obedience learned over His lifetime gave Him the victory that purchased our salvation at the cross.

-         The cross provides the answer to this seventh petition – Sin does not have the final word!

Ability To Face Evil Realistically:

-         We can recognize evil for all that it is yet not over-emphasize it.  Keep things in spiritual perspective.

-         Face it with “soberness, alertness, and implicit trust in the God who specializes in deliverance.” (p. 95)

The security of Trusting in a Delivering God:

-         “God’s love in our hearts becomes the counterweight to the destructive blows of life” (p. 96)

·        relay the oscillating skyscraper counterweight story (computer controlled).

-         Accountability and community protect us – 12 step program successes

·        support team – prayer partner – Where is your counterweight mechanism

-         Write a journal entry of a time when God’s grace delivered you from temptation.  How did you grow spiritually?

-         Live as we pray and pray as we live – protects is from all the winds of doctrine and spiritual alarmists out there.  We have a theological balance.

-         Pray this prayer as the Lord intended!  This will assist us to be properly balanced and focused.  Our problems and challenges “will recede to their appropriate size and will be seen in light of the God who delivers.” (p.96)

 

This is a process – gradual but progressive.

Step by step we develop and experience divine deliverance.

As we are divinely delivered from evil, God’s Name is Hallowed on the earth.

 

Frederick Dale Buner – “Dear Father, please lead us in such a way that we will be able to resist the temptations that both consciously and unconsciously surround us; please constantly swoop down and rescue us from all the wiles of the evil one and all his evil works – we need Your help.” “Now that’s living the Lord’s Prayer.” (p. 96). 

 

Spiritual Principle 17: “Spiritual Formation Is Healing Through Daring to Identify and Face Fears, Anxieties, Scars, and Memories Through the Enabling Power of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Scripture References – The Holy Bible – New International Version, Zondervan

Matt 27: 43

 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.'"

2 Cor 1:9-10

 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

2 Peter 2:9

9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.

John 17:15

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Col 2:15

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 

Matt 25:41

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.