Deliver Us From Evil

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Ephesians 6:13-18; Lord's Day 52
Psalters: 174, 102, 165, 385
  1. Our danger.
    1. Scripture ascribes temptation to Satan (Adam in Rev. 20:2; David in I Chron. 21:1; Christ in Luke 4:13).
    2. But the biggest problem is ourselves - we are liable to be drawn into sin by our flesh Canons V,4.
      1. Temptation implies there is a ability to sin in every child of God.
      2. Our proneness to sin and the weakness of our faith is so great that apart from grace we cannot stand a moment.
    3. The petition implies a dread of being led into temptation.
  2. This petition expresses our confidence in our Father?s guidance of us: ?lead us...?
    1. We ask this of our heavenly Father because we know He is in sovereign control, also of temptations.
      1. God tests His children, directing Satan, according to His infinite will and wisdom.
      2. God does so to strengthen us by teaching us.
      3. Sin?s presence in us is a constant matter for humility before God and for flying for refuge to Christ crucified.
    2. With this petition we mean:
      1. That we be given the strength to resist, to stand in the fight, and to turn to God (Canons V, 7,11).
      2. That we desire to be pleasing to God.
    3. Therefore we must constantly watch and pray, lest we enter into temptation (Matt. 26:4).
      1. The process of mortification of the flesh is by the spirit of prayer (Eph. 6:18,19).
      2. And by holy exercises of piety (I Tim. 4:7,8), especially by ?watching,?
  3. With the trials God sends the deliverance, for which we fervently pray.
    1. Because Christ told us to pray for deliverance, we can confidently expect God to provide it.
    2. The experience of deliverance is from the sins which are a normal reaction to tribulations.
    3. Conclusions.
      1. It is mockery to pray this petition and then go out and expose ourselves to wickedness.
      2. May the awareness of how easy it is for us to fall cause us to persist in resisting, praying and watching.