Lead Us Not into Temptation

Next comes: “And lead us not into temptation.” This raises no small question. If we pray that we may not be allowed to be tempted, how then will our power of endurance be proved, according to this text: “Everyone who is not tempted is not proved,” and again: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation”? So the clause “Lead us not into temptation” does not mean “Never let us be tempted,” but “When we fall into temptation, do not let us be overcome.” For Job was tempted, but he was not led into temptation. He did not charge God with folly or blasphemy, nor did he give in with an ungodly mouth to the wish of the tempter, toward which he was being drawn. Abraham was tempted, Joseph was tempted, but neither of them was led into temptation, for neither of them gave his consent to the tempter. Next comes: “But deliver us from evil,” that is, “Do not let us be tempted by the devil beyond what we are able to bear, but with the temptation make also a way of escape, so that we may be able to bear it.” [a]