This study was first taught on October 13, 2010

Topic: The Believer’s Responsibilities (2): Prayer (11)

No audio available for this study.

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Background
We continued last week with petition praying as we considered the issue of asking for forgiveness from God. We saw that our requesting forgiveness from God is contingent on us first forgiving others. We noted that forgiveness can be likened to debt cancellation. Hence, if we want our debt of sin against God cancelled, we must first cancel the debt of offence that others have against us. We saw that when we first come to Jesus and ask for forgiveness for our sins, we are forgiven. However, God expects us to go from the place of our forgiveness to dispense forgiveness to those who have offended us (which is far less than we have offended God)! We thus saw that every Christian’s responsibility in prayer must of necessity include forgiving others.

We noted that forgiveness is fundamental to a Christian’s life because, he needs it from God; he needs it from his brethren; and, he needs to dispense it to those who offend him. We saw also that since transgression is not something a person can totally avoid, we can always ask God for forgiveness, with an assurance that He will forgive us. We observed that people who cannot forgive believe erroneously that they can never sin, so they don’t expect others to, hence, when people offend them, they do not forgive. We saw also that there are others who do not forgive because they want to have their ‘pound of flesh’ from the person who has offended them. They forget the scripture that says that vengeance belongs to God.

God asks us to forgive all men because, if we don’t, He is unable to forgive us ours! And if God does not forgive us our sins, then we are in deep trouble; for calamities will befall us without remedy. It is therefore in our best interest to forgive others; no matter how many times they offend, so long as they ask our forgiveness.

We saw also, the power of God’s forgiveness: salvation, deliverance from long standing problems, joy, healings, deliverance from evil men and their deeds, prosperity in every sphere of life, etc.; as another motivation for forgiving others. Finally, we noted that if we must be in heaven, our forgiveness of others must go beyond mere words, and must include showing kindness to those who have offended us!

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 6:13a
We conclude our petition in prayer with another significant and important request. This time it is about protecting us from temptation, and where we fall, delivering us from the evil one’s machinations. May the Holy Spirit help us to appreciate the importance of this aspect of petition praying.
The word ‘temptation’ can mean a number of things. It can mean ‘to trap’ or ‘to ensnare’; and it can also mean ‘a test’ or ‘a trial’ or ‘tribulation’. As we take a more detailed look at the implication of this prayer, we need to recognize that it is our responsibility as believers in Christ to pray against entering into the snare of the enemy; and where we do unfortunately step into one of the enemy’s snares, to also cry to God for deliverance.
Matthew 4:1-11; Genesis 3:1-6; 22:1-18; Job 1:1 -- 2:10; Romans 5:3-4; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4:12-19; James 1:13-16; 1 Timothy 6:9-11; 1 John 3:2-10; 1:9-10; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 19:11; 119:9, 11; Luke 22:31-34; 1 Peter 5:8; Matthew 25:41; 26:58, 69-75; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Matthew 4:1-11; Galatians 5:16-17; Psalm 140:5, 1; 143:9.

Conclusion
There is a difference between being ensnared or trapped, and being tested or proven; and there is also a difference between intentionally committing sin and unintentionally falling into sin. A Christian is never led by God into a trap or a snare; neither can God lead His own into intentional sin. Instead, we are ensnared by our own lusts and desires, which are contrary to God’s will. However, God can lead us to be proven or tested; but if we fall into sin unintentionally, He will deliver us from the machination of the evil one, provided we confess that sin.

Praying “Lead us not into temptation” therefore, is like asking God to remove inordinate desires, lusts, pride, ambition, etc., from our lives. We must note that God never sets traps, rather He permits us to be examined by the devil (who is the chief examiner) having prepared us for success. To enable us avoid snares and traps, God always provides a way of escape, among which are; giving us advance warning; getting us to watch and pray always; challenging us to live soberly and in moderation in everything; getting us to stay close to our Lord Jesus Christ at all times; making us to be in readiness with the word of God; and encouraging us to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

When we fall however, we can rest assured knowing that if we confess our sins honestly and are willing to forsake them, He will forgive us.

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