As we acknowledge our own human frailties and weaknesses, we have God’s permission to ask in prayer, “bring us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13a).1 However, if we are unwilling to avail ourselves of all that he provides to help us along the way, we are missing a key component of the petition, “your will be done on earth as also in heaven” (v. 10b). Whether or not he responds to our requests according to our shortsighted preferences, we can be assured that he always answers according to his perfect will (1 John 5:14-15).2
Heavenly Provision
1. God provides opportunities to learn, develop, and grow. It is not in our best interest to be completely shielded from life’s troubles and Satan’s attacks. Like a responsible and caring parent raising children in a perilous environment, the Lord “proves” or “disciplines” those he loves (Heb. 12:6-11). How else are we to foster notable qualities like patience, humility, courage, compassion, empathy, endurance, and strength of character?
The Lord’s purpose is not fulfilled by removing challenges, though he does help us through.3 “My brethren, consider it all joy whenever you are encompassed by various trials [πειρασμοῖς], knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance; and let the perseverance have its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing …. Blessed is the man who endures trial [πειρασμόν], that having been approved he will receive the crown of life which [God] promised to the ones loving him” (Jas. 1:2-4, 12).
2. God provides the avenue of prayer. Jesus lived each day on earth as a vulnerable human being, having no unfair advantage over the rest of us.4 No wonder he spent so much of his time in prayer5 and taught his disciples to do the same.6 We should not attempt to combat Satan and his evil forces alone.
With ready access to the divine power source, we especially need to pray for one another: “Our Father … give us this day … forgive us … bring us not … deliver us …”7 Neglecting prayer leaves us ill equipped to resist the devil’s assaults. “But to the One having power above all things to do exceedingly beyond what we ask or think, according to the power working in us; to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all the generations forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21).
3. God provides the Holy Spirit. As Jesus walked the earth in human flesh, at his baptism the Spirit of God came “upon” [ἐπί] him (Matt. 3:16; Luke 3:22; 4:18a), entering “into” [εἰς] him (Mark 1:10) and accompanying him thereafter.8 At the same time, his autonomous free will and personal accountability remained intact.9
As penitent believers at baptism we also receive the Holy Spirit, who accompanies us thereafter.10 We are “in” [ἐν] Christ when we have been baptized “into” [εἰς] him (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27), thus having heard and believed the word of truth and having entered Christ, we are “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a guarantee of our inheritance unto the redemption of the possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:13-14). At the same time, our autonomous free will and personal accountability remain intact.11
We are to glorify God in our bodies because we belong to him and have his Spirit abiding in us (1 Cor. 6:18-20; cf. Rom. 6:1-23; 1 Thess. 4:1-8). To continue in sin is to “grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). As we prayerfully persevere through life’s challenges and eagerly anticipate the heavenly reward, “the Spirit also joins to help in our weaknesses,” interceding for us (Rom. 8:25-27). Note the cooperative effort when “you [all]” put to death the deeds of the body “by the Spirit” (Rom. 8:13; cf. v. 16; Eph. 3:16-17).
Now disagreements abound as to exactly “when” and “how” the Spirit operates (directly, instrumentally through scripture, both?), and we surely want to avoid subjective and extreme views that twist or strain or contradict clear biblical teaching.12 Meanwhile let us be content knowing that God’s Spirit is so much bigger than anything we can fully comprehend, and even if we do not have it all figured out, we can still be thankful he is who he is and does what he does. At the end of the day, whether or not I believe it or fully understand it or can adequately explain it, the reality of what God does is not jeopardized or thwarted by my personal ignorance and limitations. Irrespective of the specific details of “when” and “how,” we can be assured that the Lord is present and working in our lives, which is really all we need to know.
4. God provides his inspired word. Whatever the Holy Spirit did for Jesus, throughout his entire earthly ministry Jesus still relied on and utilized his knowledge of God’s word.13 The psalmist prayed, “Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psa. 119:11), and Jesus likewise repelled the devil’s temptations by appealing to the sacred scriptures (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; Luke 4:4, 8, 12).
The Holy Spirit is distinct from the written word of God, yet the Spirit and the word are inseparable. Without the Holy Spirit we would not have God’s word (Eph. 3:3-5; 6:17), and without God’s word we would have neither knowledge of nor the possibility of receiving God’s Spirit (Acts 19:2; Eph. 1:13). The word of God is “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17) which effectively works in those who submit to it (1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb. 4:12).
5. God provides angelic ministration. We know that God providentially works in the lives of his people,14 and angels appear to be the agency through which he works.15 “Are not [angels] all ministering spirits being sent forth [presently and continuously] for service for those who are to inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:13-14). God’s holy angels, with superior power and strength (Heb. 2:6-7; 2 Pet. 2:11), are concerned about and invested in our spiritual well-being.16 Even Jesus benefitted from their help.17
6. God provides the church. Christianity was not designed as a personal religion to be experienced independently and privately. We are part of a spiritual family, members of one body, joint-citizens of a heavenly kingdom. Despite the personal struggles each person faces, we are engaged in a spiritual warfare together, a collaborative effort as fellow-soldiers fighting side-by-side.18
A key term in God’s salvific plan is ἐκκλησία (“church”), occurring about 114 times in the Greek NT and always referring to a collectivity of people.19 The plethoric NT directives involving “one another” simply cannot be obeyed on an individualistic basis.20 “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be made whole; a righteous one’s effectual prayer avails much” (Jas. 5:16; cf. v. 19; Gal. 6:1-2). Each person is accountable to God, and the gospel is to be obeyed on an individual basis, yet every baptized believer is expected to look beyond self as part of a larger community of the Lord’s people.21
Conclusion
Satan tempts. God provides. We decide which path to follow. When we ask in prayer, “bring us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13a), let us earnestly appropriate the Lord’s ample provisions as we also pray, “your will be done on earth as also in heaven” (v. 10b).
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are the author’s own translation.
2 Matt. 6:10; 26:39; Acts 18:21; 21:14; Rom. 1:10; 15:30-33; 1 Cor. 4:19; 2 Cor. 12:7-9; Jas. 4:13-15; 1 Pet. 3:17; 4:19.
3 Rom. 5:3-4; 8:28; Phil. 1:12-14; 2:12-13, 17-18; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 4:6-18; 12:5-10; Heb. 11:8-40; 12:1-11; cf. also 2 Cor. 1:8-11; 6:1-10; Rev. 3:10.
4 John 1:14; 2 Cor. 8:9; 13:4; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:9-18; 4:15; 1 John 4:2; 2 John 7. Jesus is explicitly referred to as “man” no less than 36 times in the NT, and as “the son of man” an impressive 82 times (almost entirely as a self-description). Whatever he needed on earth to confirm his identity and message was supplied to him by the heavenly Father (Matt. 9:8; 12:28; Luke 4:14-19; John 3:2; 5:30-47; 6:27, 57; 7:16; 8:16-18, 26, 29, 38, 40, 54-55; 9:4; 10:18, 25, 32; 11:4, 41-42; 12:49-50; 14:10; 16:32; Acts 2:22; 10:38).
5 Matt. 11:25-26; 14:23; 26:39-44; 27:46; Mark 1:35; 6:45; 14:32-39; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 10:21; 11:1; 22:39-45; 23:[34], 46; John 11:41-42; 12:27-28; 17:1-26; Heb. 5:7.
6 Matt. 6:5-13; 7:7-11; 11:29; 26:41; Mark 9:29; 14:38; Luke 11:1-4, 9-13; 18:1, 7, 10-14; 22:40, 46; John 15:16; 16:23-24.
7 John 17:20; Acts 12:4; Jas. 5:14-16. Paul regularly prayed for his brethren (Rom. 1:9-10; Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:3-4; Col. 1:9-12; cf. 1 Thess. 1:2; 3:10; 2 Thess. 1:11) and requested their prayers on his behalf (Rom. 15:30-32; 2 Cor. 1:11; Eph. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:19; Col. 4:3, 4; Philem. 22; cf. 1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1-2).
8 Matt. 12:28; Luke 4:1, 14-21; Acts 10:38-39; metaphorically described as a spiritual anointing (Luke 4:18; Acts 4:27; 10:38; cf. Heb. 1:9). On the anointing of 1 John 2:20, 27, see K. L. Moore, “The ‘Anointing’ in 1 John,” Moore Perspective (31 Aug. 2016), <Link>. On the anointing of 2 Cor. 1:21, see K. L. Moore, “Who is ‘Anointed’ in 2 Cor. 1:21?” Moore Perspective (7 Sept. 2016), <Link>.
9 Matt. 11:27; 26:39; Luke 10:22; 22:42; John 5:30; 6:38; 7:17-18.
10 Acts 2:37-38; 5:32; Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 5:5; Gal. 3:14; Tit. 3:5-6; 1 John 3:24; 4:13; cf. Luke 11:13. See K. L. Moore, “God’s Indwelling Spirit,” Moore Perspective (26 Aug. 2015), <Link>.Jesus was “full” [πλήρης] of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1), and faithful Christians in the early church were “full” [πλήρης] of wisdom, faith, and the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:3, 5; 11:23-24); cf. Rom. 15:13-14. This does not mean the Holy Spirit does for everyone all that he did for Jesus, and vice versa. The Spirit operates “as he wills” (1 Cor. 12:11), apparently with respect to circumstances and need (cf. Matt. 25:15; 1 Cor. 2:1-5).
11 Rom. 2:6-10; 6:12-13, 16-19; 8:5; 11:22-23; 12:1-2, 9, 18, 21; 13:12-14; 14:5, 12; 1 Cor. 6:18; 7:36; 8:9; 10:6-10, 12, 14, 24; 14:40; 15:33; 16:13-14; 2 Cor. 2:9; 5:9; 6:1, 12-13; 7:1-2; 8:3, 12, 19; 9:2, 7; 13:5; Gal. 1:6; 2:10-13, 17; 4:9, 18; 5:1, 4, 7, 10, 13-16, 24-26; 6:1-10; Eph. 4:1-3, 14-17, 22-32; 5:1-21; 6:11, 13-18; Phil. 1:9-11, 27; 2:2-5, 12-16; 3:12-17; 4:1, 9; Col. 1:23; 2:6-8; 3:1-17; 4:5-6; 1 Thess. 1:3, 9; 2:12; 3:8; 4:1-8, 10-12; 5:8, 21-22; 2 Thess. 1:3-4; 2:15; 3:6, 11-15; 1 Tim. 1:5-6, 18-19; 3:2, 8-11, 15; 4:15-16; 5:20; 6:3-14, 17-21; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:12, 15, 19, 22-26; 3:14; 4:7; Tit. 1:6-9; 2:1-8, 11-12; 3:1-11, 14; Philem. 21; Heb. 12:1-2; Jas. 2:14-26; et al.
12 While open to anything the Lord provides to aid in our spiritual walk, we ought to be sensible enough not to attribute to God or to his Spirit thoughts, feelings, or experiences for which he may not be responsible. Since each of us will be held accountable for every careless word spoken (Matt. 12:36), we must be careful not to presumptuously credit the Lord with specific activities that cannot be substantiated in his inspired word. How do I know I have God’s Spirit living within me? The Bible tells me so.
13 Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; 5:5, 17; 7:12; 9:13; 10:35-36; 11:10, 13; 12:7, 16-21; 13:14-15, 34-35; 15:4, 8-9; 18:16; 19:4-5; 19:18-19; 21:1-5, 13, 16, 42; 22:31-32, 37-40, 43-45; 23:39; 24:15; 26:31, 54, 56; 27:46; Mark 2:25-26; 4:11-12; 7:6-7, 10; 9:12-13, 48; 10:5-9, 19; 11:17; 12:10-11, 26-, 29-31, 36-37; 13:14; 14:27; 15:34; Luke 2:46-47; 4:4, 8, 12, 17-21, 24-27; 6:3-4, 9; 7:27; 8:10; 10:12, 26-28; 11:29-32, 51; 12:27; 13:35; 16:31; 17:26-32; 18:20; 19:46; 20:17, 37-38, 41-44; 22:8, 11, 15, 37; 23:30, 46; 24:27, 32, 44-47; John 3:14; 5:38-47; 6:32, 45, 49, 58; 7:19, 22, 38, 8:39-40; 10:34-35; 12:14-16; 13:18; 15:25; 17:12.
14 Gen. 45:5-7; 50:20; Prov. 2:6-8; Acts 11:21; 26:22; Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 2:12; 1 Thess. 3:11; 2 Tim. 4:17-18; cf. Esth. 4:14; Philem. 15.
15 Beyond the visible and communicatory activities of angels throughout the OT record and in the early developmental stages of the Christian movement, note the Lord’s providential working, not restricted to the miraculous, through the instrumentality of angels: Matt. 28:2; Acts 5:19; 12:23; Heb. 13:2; Rev. 7:1; cf. Psa. 91:11-12; Matt. 24:31; Luke 16:22; Heb. 12:22-24. See Wayne Jackson, “Do Angels Minister to Christians Today?” Christian Courier (accessed 5 Sept. 2022), <Link>.
16 Matt. 18:10; Luke 12:8-9; 15:7, 10; 1 Cor. 4:9; 1 Tim. 5:21; Rev. 3:5. See K. L. Moore, “Questions About Angels,” Moore Perspective (26 May 2013), <Link>.
17 Matt. 4:11; Mark 1:13; Luke 22:43 (textual variant); cf. Matt. 26:53; Heb. 2:9.
18 See K. L. Moore, “Putting on God’s Whole Armor … in Context,” Moore Perspective (28 Oct. 2015), <Link>.
19 See K. L. Moore, “The Church of the NT,” Moore Perspective (18 July 2014), <Link>; and “Where’s the Church in the Gospel Plan of Salvation?” Moore Perspective (16 Feb. 2016), <Link>.
20 The reciprocal pronoun ἀλλήλων (“one another”) is found no less than 100 times in the Greek NT. See K. L. Moore, “Individualism vs. Collectivism,” Moore Perspective (17 July 2019), <Link>.
21 Acts 2:41-47; Rom. 12:4-16; 1 Cor. 1:10; 10:24, 33; 12:12-27; Phil. 1:27–2:4; Heb. 3:13; 10:23-25; 1 Pet. 4:10.
Related Posts: Lead Us Not Into Temptation Part 1, Part 2, Supply in Your Faith Godliness
Related Lessons: Zach Bauman’s 6 Steps to Help in Your Struggle with Sin
Image credit: adapted from https://godinallthings.com/2015/01/28/praying-with-your-life/
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