And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13a

As stated last time, part of the answer to our prayers regarding temptation is us developing discernment so we can steer clear of temptation as soon as we feel the tug of temptation’s tractor beam. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:

Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

What are we to test all things against? God’s revealed will in His written Word, of course. And because we cannot realistically look up pertinent Bible verses when in the midst of temptation, we need to have stored God’s Word in our hearts and minds already—while continuing to add to that scriptural storehouse for the remainder of our lives.

This is why we need to be people of the Book, reading God’s Word, from cover to cover over and over again throughout our days. Besides knowing specific verses and passages, we get accustomed to the sound and content of God’s voice. As we do this we can live out the following well-loved verse containing Jesus’ words to His disciples:

John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

When we know the Lord’s voice, we follow Him by “holding fast to what is good,” and “abstaining from every form of evil.” Isn’t that what Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:13a? It is our responsibility and His grace and power that give us victory over temptation and deliverance from the evil one.