Deliver us from Evil

Deliver us from Evil – Matt 6:13

`               Jesus has been outlining in the Lord’s prayer a model of prayer.  Today we are looking at the statement.  Deliver us from evil.  Evil has three main participants, demons, a worldly system and people.  God has promised that He will never forsake us or leave us.  In Revelation 2-3, in the messages to the church the Lord Jesus talks about the over comer.  In Rev 12:11, it says there are three ways to overcome evil.  First, by the blood of the lamb.  Jesus’ blood has purchased our victory.   Secondly, by the word of our testimony.  When we testify of God’s protection, provision and participation in our lives we defeat our enemies.  Lastly, we do not love our lives until death.  We know that our lives are designed to bring glory and praise to God so we choose to follow Paul’s advice, “to live for Christ and understand that dying is gain.  Death has no power over us. 

                We also understand that demons have been defeated by Jesus.  The worldly system with its pride, possessions and pleasure are just trappings for defeat so we choose not to listen to them.  Lastly, people have the capacity to hurt or help you.  Expect the best but never be surprised by the worst.  Jesus knew this and that is why he did rely on the praise of men.  Paul puts it beautifully in Galatians, be a God pleaser and you will not be a man pleaser.    Tommy Tenney puts it another way, “Be a God chaser.”