APR 21

Matthew 6:9-13
Memorise Matthew 6:13
“…lead us not into temptation…”

Guess what, teens. There would be a lot of perfect people if we could stop sinning after confessing. The truth is that no one stops sinning. We only stop sinning when we reach heaven, or when this mortal, corruptible flesh is replaced by the immortal, incorruptible glorified body (1 Corinthians 15:53). While we are in this world, there are the sins of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life that we must contend with daily (1 John 2:16). Indeed, the world is not a friend to God and we are in hostile territory. We are also often weak and easily tempted.

When the Bible tells us to repent, it does not mean we will be able to stop all sinful behaviour by just deciding to do so (Romans 7). Instead, repentance means to turn away from sin and turn towards God. We turn our minds back to Christ – confessing and asking Jesus to cleanse us. Therefore we ask that the Lord would lead us not into temptation, but to deliver us from evil. This request should, of course, be made with the desire and willingness to be kept from repeated sinning. We should resolve and ask God to give us the strength to resist and conquer temptation. We should not be merely mouthing words, without any heartfelt feeling. That would be insincere and hypocritical. Seeking of strength from the Lord to be able to overcome our sins is a gradual process. Through continued prayer, dependence on God, studying and meditating on the Scriptures – we grow in spiritual maturity. Then we will be better equipped to overcome sin and temptation.

It is good to humbly realise how weak we are and how easily we fall. At the same time, realise too that it is only by the Holy Spirit indwelling in our hearts that we may be kept or delivered from the attacks of the evil one. We thus ask God to lead us not into temptation because God is in control of all things, including the evil things that come our way. So do not be discouraged when you sin. But you should grow stronger and more determined, by the grace of God, to overcome sin with time. This shall be so as you trust and depend on Him more and more.

Thought: God’s mercy is greater than all my sins.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, teach me to trust and depend on Thee more and more that I might conquer my sins.