HOW WE ARE TEMPTED. GOD INDEED TEMPTS NO ONE TO SIN: for He wishes us to do good, and not evil. But He leads us into circumstances in which we are _tried_, and must decide for or against Him, for good or for evil. This is the sense in which the Bible speaks of God as tempting persons. [Gen. 22:1] He tries or tests us. Remembering that we are weak, we pray in this petition that God would spare us such trials as much as is possible according to His will, and strengthen us in them, that we may be faithful. _The Devil, the World, and our own Flesh tempt us to Sin_. These are the great enemies of our souls, who will lead us to destruction if we do not earnestly resist them and repel their temptations. WHAT WE PRAY. 1. _That we may not be Deceived or Misled by these Enemies_. WE PRAY IN THIS PETITION THAT GOD WOULD SO GUARD AND PRESERVE US, THAT THE DEVIL, who puts evil thoughts into our hearts, [Gen. 3:4, 5, II Cor. 11:3] THE WORLD (wicked persons in the world), [Prov. 1:10+, John 15:18] which tempts us by example, allurements, and threats, AND OUR OWN FLESH (our natural heart), [Rom. 8:7+] which inclines and urges us to sin, MAY NOT DECEIVE US, by promising us happiness in the paths of sin, while in reality such paths lead only to misery and destruction. [Matt. 7:13, 14+] NOR LEAD US INTO ERROR AND UNBELIEF, and thus into ruin, since our salvation depends on believing the truth as it is in Jesus; nor into DESPAIR; because we are lost if we despair of God's mercy, instead of believing His precious promises in Christ; AND OTHER GREAT AND SHAMEFUL SINS, in addition to the error, unbelief, and despair mentioned above. 2. _That we may Overcome these Enemies and be saved_, AND THAT, THOUGH WE MAY BE THUS TEMPTED, WE MAY NEVERTHELESS FINALLY PREVAIL, AND GAIN THE VICTORY. The struggle against these enemies is a warfare (the good fight of faith) [I Tim. 6:12+] which lasts to the end of our days. We dare never think that we are safe without further watchfulness, effort, and prayer. [I Cor. 10:12+] If we sometimes fall, we must not despair nor give up, but repent and determine to do better. If we earnestly pray for God's help, arm ourselves with His Word, and beware of false security, we shall be enabled to overcome these foes more and more each day. [I Cor. 10:13] And when, at last, our end approaches and the warfare is over, God will give us the victory, and bestow upon us for Jesus' sake the crown of life. [Jas. 4:7, II Tim. 4:7, 8]