140: Keep from Evil
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Christians are, as the saying goes, “in the world, but not of the world.” Christians pray, as Jesus instructs, “Deliver us from the Evil One.” The truth is that we remain in the world (not take them out); the promise is in the answer to Jesus’ prayer: He will keep us from the evil, or the Evil One.
We pray the Lord’s Prayer petition about evil because Jesus told us to and because He prays that for us, and we know His prayer is answered. Thus this is a promise: He will keep us from the evil that is in the world. The devil is the prince of this world and the world lies in the evil one. Satan uses the world that he rules over to try to keep us in unbelief and keep us away from God’s love and God’s help.
Temptations will come and will always be present, as long as we are alive and living in the world. But Jesus has overcome the world, and by faith in Christ we do not have to surrender to temptation and live under Satan’s nefarious control. This promise may seem impossible, that He can keep us from the evil even though we are surrounded by the evil that is in the world with us. How can this be? Evil is ever present and it is relentless; in addition, we are too weak in the flesh to overcome it and not give in. Therefore, we turn to Jesus; the promise is true: He will keep us from the evil. Jesus is the Shepherd who protects us; He is the Warrior who fights for us and keeps the evil away; He is the Savior who rescues us. “With the temptation he will also provide the way of escape.” [I Corinthians 10:13]
Repent and believe the Gospel. Speak the Gospel to yourself so that you hear it. Pray and believe the Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” When we exercise faith in this promise we have no doubt He will do it.