A word on temptation. In the New Testament we find the same word used in Greek for both temptation and testing in several passages, although there are other verses/passages that use a different word altogether. In the Lord’s Prayer, we find that what is translated as temptation could more likely mean “tested”. In fact, the New Revised Standard translation translates this verse as – “And do not bring us to the time of trial but rescue us from the evil one.” (Mat 6:13 NRS) (I like that!)
James 1:13 – ‘When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.’ This is the same word used in Matthew 6:13. But in John 6:5-6, the same Greek word is used as in both the Matthew and James passages, but it’s translated as test. – 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.”
Some scholars say the best way to translate it as either test or tempt is to look at the context. I’m not sure why the more recent translations of the Bible (like the NIV or the ESV) use the English word, temptation. One other thing to note here is that the NET Bible, like the NRS personifies evil – “deliver us from the evil one.” *
There is another passage which uses this word and it’s found in Matthew and Mark in the garden of Gethsemane. In Mark it reads: 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mar 14:38 ESV) It is also interesting to note that Jesus, in one sense, is asking the Father to not test him in the trial to come (two verses just prior to this – v. 36 of Mark 14). But He says, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come; thy will be done.
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation.
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
And the glory, forever. Amen.
We pray to you, Father, as Your Son has instructed us to pray – You have called us your children and have given us the right to call you Abba. You, with the Son and the Spirit alone are holy. May we truly worship Your holy name. Abba, we pray, especially in times of temptation, that your kingdom would come, and that Your will alone would be done. Feed us with the rich sustenance of Your Word and Your presence and thus give us what we need to stand in the face of temptation. Do not bring us to the time of trial but deliver us from evil and keep far from us the snares of the evil one. We are eternally grateful for Your kingdom and Your power and Your glory! May You reign for all time!
* NRS – New Revised Standard, ESV-English Standard Version, NIV- New International Version, and NET – New English Translation.
What is the main temptation, I think, just like Adam and Eve, it is to believe a lie instead of Truth. The test question from God is what do you believe, what is tempting you, a lie from the enemy or the Truth?
“ Sin, the state of revolt against truth, has consequences; it exacts a cost from us. If we live in untruth, in self-deceit, we are automatically condemned to undermining and destroying the life that is in us. We can’t live against the grain of reality and expect to survive indefinitely “ Rowan Williams
It is the Truth that will set us free. Lord lead us not into testing, but if so, deliver us from the lies, the evil lies of the enemy, so we may embrace the Truth.
Thanks for leading us to the Truth Jean!