And Lead Us Not Into Temptation (The Lord’s Prayer)

The last line in Luke 11:4, where Jesus taught us to pray:

“And lead us not into temptation”-11:4

On it’s face, it’s meaning seems so obvious.  But when we really think about it, what does it really mean?  We are asking Our Father to not “lead” us into temptation.  But shouldn’t we also be doing this as well.

For example, could it not also be teaching us to “avoid” temptation.  Think of  how many times we put ourselves in a situation that tempts us to sin. 

Here’s an obvious one:  a married couple has fallen into the habit of criticizing each other’s every move, instead of building each other up. 

One of them stops at a bar on the way home from work.  Has that person not put themselves into a tempting situation?  Alcohol is available, there are plenty of people of the opposite sex who think they are great and no one is criticizing them.  Are they not in a tempting situation?

How about a person who is trying to diet for health reasons, but goes to the grocery store?

How about a person who has no money walking into any store?

How about a person who is having trouble with being kind to others, not getting enough sleep?

How about when a person dwells on their thoughts of hurt and anger at someone? If they see that person won’t those thoughts be more likely to become words?

Have they not all put themselves into a tempting situation?  A situation that might lead to sin? Do we not put ourselves occassionally into some type of situation that may lead to sin?

And that is why we need to avoid situations that might lead us to sin.  Because sometimes they do!  And that is what we are asking God when we pray The Lord’s Prayer-to “lead us not into temptation” ?