The petition, lead us not into temptation has raised some questions for most of us. What is one that you can think of?
1. Whenever we have discussions on trials, temptations, and God’s role in all of this, we usually turn to James 1.
a. Read James 1:2-4 and :12. What do these verses tell us about the purpose of our trials?
b. Read James 1:13-16. What does James say is the source of man’s temptations?
c. What does he say about God’s role in man’s temptations?
Note: Tony Ash, Pray Always, tells us that the Greek term for temptations in Matt 6:13 can be rendered either “temptations” or “trials.”
d. James appears to differentiate between trials and temptations. According to James, what do you think is the difference?
2. As we are confronted with the temptation to sin, do we always recognize, right away, that we are being tempted?
3. Peter says in I Peter 4:12, Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
4. Since trials and temptations are a part of the human experience – why do we ask God not to lead us into temptation? Do we expect Him to eliminate all trials and temptations? What are we really asking for?
Something to think about: could it be that we are actually praying for God to protect us from temptation that would be more than we could bear?
Dr. Warren Wiersbe makes the following interesting comments in The Wiersbe Bible Study Series- on James, pg 47.
“No temptation appears as temptation; it always seems more alluring than it really is. James used two illustrations from the world of sports to prove his point. Drawn away (or dragged away - James 1:14) carries with it the idea of the baiting of a trap; and enticed in the original Greek means ‘to bait a hook.’ The hunter and the fisherman have to use bait to attract and catch their prey. No animal is deliberately going to step into a trap and no fish will knowingly bite at a naked hook. The idea is to hide the trap and hook.
Temptation always carries some bait that appeals to our natural desires.”
