Deliver Us from Evil

And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

Matthew 6:13

As Christians, we are familiar with this verse which is part of the Lord’s Prayer. Of course, this prayer is not for Jesus, Himself. He was teaching us how to pray. The reason I believe we should take a moment and focus on these words from Jesus is this: We must always trust God and never trust ourselves.

Marketers have succeeded in making so much money from Halloween that it lasts and entire month. How many people with axes in their heads do we need to see each year?! I’m not writing about Halloween. I’m writing about our Deliverer from the evil one.

Evil isn’t candy corn and spooky makeup. Evil is ugly. People get hurt by evil. The evil one desires nothing less than to harm followers of Jesus in the way he wishes he could do to Jesus. Jesus conquered the evil one. Still, as we live in this world, he can and will try to harm us.

Jesus has provided us with what we need for protection and spiritual battle. We have the Holy Spirit within us. We have angels that watch out for us. God has told us to prepare for spiritual battles:

¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 

Ephesians 6:11-13

The apostle Paul goes on to specify our spiritual armor. We need this armor.

We All Mess Up

Face it, all of us mess up, some more than others, but all some. Jesus addresses this in His prayer when He says, “deliver us from the evil one.” Some Bible translations read, “but deliver us from evil.”

Jesus is praying an imperative. “Each Christian needs to be delivered. How can I write such a thing? Jesus prayed an imperative, “Father…deliver us.” His prayer is “Do it now” not “In case it happens.” And we see that there is no exception clause. He didn’t say, “Except for this group that are pure.”

Our need is real, so Jesus didn’t pray a milk-toast, “keep them safe” prayer. He reached in, saw the influence the enemy had in His apostles, and has in us, so he prayed an active and immediate prayer. : “deliver us from the evil one.”

Pray With Me if You Wish

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’
– Matthew 6:9-13

My Prayer

“Father, I thank you that you have searched me, found every influence, attachment, and thought that the evil one has brought against me, or I’ve allowed it in me. Now deliver me from the evil one. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”. (Psalms 51:10) I thank you and rejoice in your kindness and longsuffering. In the name of your beloved Son, Jesus my Savior I pray. Amen.

Celebrate as your spirit is guided by the Holy Spirit. But please, let’s all remember that evil is not something we should celebrate or imitate.