In our spiritual lives, our greatest need is deliverance and protection. Scripture reveals that temptation is a very real part of our lives. No one, from the time of Adam and Eve, escapes the experience of it.
The petition, “Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil,” suggests that our experience of temptation is a Satanic attempt to coax us into doing what we really want to do, which is contrary and rebellious to what God desires that we do. Successful temptation is a cooperative venture between us and Satan—Satan whispers and we respond affirmatively. The damage of it radiates out and harms not only us but people and circumstances around us.
Jesus teaches that our prayers should acknowledge this reality and the potential for harm that is inherent within it, and we should ask God to insulate us from Satanic attack and our human weakness.
Consider Peter. In the Upper Room, with brash confidence and utter naiveté, Peter said to Jesus, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will (Matthew 26:33).” Peter walked out of the Upper Room with Jesus’ words ringing in his ears, “This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times (Matthew 26:34).” Still confident, Jesus said to Peter in Gethsemane, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41).”
But Peter did not heed Jesus’ words. Instead he slept. When Peter came into the court of the High Priest and was standing before the fire, Satanic whispers prevailed. With curses and swearing, Peter succumbed to the temptation to save himself, and he denied his Lord.
Are we arrogantly self-confident about our ability to resist the subtleties of temptation? Do we stupidly follow our own instincts or do we humbly, consistently, persistently pray for divine empowerment to resist Satanic schemes? This is what Jesus instructs us to do. It is why we desperately need to pray, “Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.”
(We invite your comments. Feel free to share this devotion with your friends and invite them to subscribe by forwarding their email address to the Pastor at: fredjeffsmith@gmail.com)
Mornings with Shiloh airs on WVLA Channel 33 each weekday at 6:58 a. m. CST. Mornings with Shiloh is available on our Youtube channel at 8:00 a.m. CST.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/@ShilohMBCBR/videos
Want to get more involved at Shiloh?
Browse our Ministries