Strength Through Trials: Understanding Temptation in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Praying for Strength in Trials, Not Escape from Them

When we pray, "Lead us not into temptation," we are not asking God to remove all challenges or difficulties from our lives, but rather to grant us the strength and endurance to withstand and grow through the trials we inevitably face. The Greek word translated as "temptation" in the Lord's Prayer also means "trial" or "testing," encompassing not only enticements to sin but also the tests that reveal and refine our character. God does not desire our failure but hopes that through these experiences, we will emerge spiritually stronger and more mature. As Julian of Norwich reflected, Jesus promises not that we will avoid trials, but that we will not be overcome by them. [46:31]

Matthew 6:9-13 (NRSV):
"Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one."

Reflection:
What is one current trial or challenge in your life where you need to ask God not for escape, but for the strength to endure and grow through it?

Day 2: God’s Testing Aims for Our Growth, Not Our Failure

God’s testing is not meant to entice us into sin or to see us fail, but rather to reveal the substance of our character and to prod us toward spiritual maturity. Just as a good teacher gives an exam to help students master the subject, God allows us to face trials so that we might become more faithful and resilient disciples. We do not grow when everything is easy and comfortable; it is through discomfort and challenge that we are shaped into who God intends us to be. [43:52]

James 1:2-4 (ESV):
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection:
Can you recall a time when a difficult experience ultimately led to growth or maturity in your faith? How might you approach your current challenges differently in light of this truth?

Day 3: Trusting God When the Training Wheels Come Off

Sometimes, God’s best care for us is not in propping us up or preventing every fall, but in letting us risk, stumble, and learn as we grow. Like a parent removing the training wheels from a child’s bike, God sometimes allows us to face situations where we might fall, knowing that true growth and confidence come from learning to stand on our own. Even when we feel afraid or uncertain, we can trust that God is present, cheering us on, and using these moments to help us mature in faith. [52:50]

Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV):
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Reflection:
Where in your life do you sense God inviting you to step out in faith, even if it means risking a fall? What would it look like to trust Him more fully in that area?

Day 4: The Order of Our Prayers Matters—Physical, Emotional, Spiritual Needs

Jesus teaches us in the Lord’s Prayer to first ask for our daily bread (physical needs), then for forgiveness (emotional needs), and only then for guidance (spiritual needs). This order is intentional, reminding us that we are better able to receive God’s guidance when our basic needs are met and our hearts are at peace. It is a call to build our lives on a foundation of God’s provision and grace before seeking direction for the future. [31:15]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV):
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection:
Are there physical or emotional needs you have been neglecting as you seek God’s guidance? How might attending to these first help you better discern His leading?

Day 5: Becoming What We Pray—Transformation Through Faithful Practice

When we faithfully pray the Lord’s Prayer and live into its petitions, we are gradually transformed into the likeness of Christ. Just as a person who practices wearing the mask of a saint eventually becomes one, so too do we become more like Jesus through years of steady, faithful prayer and practice. Our hope is that by praying, we become what we pray—people shaped by God’s kingdom, forgiveness, and guidance. [57:13]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV):
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection:
What is one petition of the Lord’s Prayer you want to embody more fully in your daily life? What is a practical step you can take this week to live it out?

Sermon Summary

Grace and peace to all who gathered for worship today, and a special blessing to the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures among us. Today’s reflection centered on the final petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” This phrase, often recited but rarely pondered deeply, invites us to consider the true nature of temptation and trial in our lives. The Greek word “peirasmos,” translated as “temptation,” is far richer than our English word suggests. It encompasses not only the enticement to sin, but also the testing and proving of character, and even the God-given trials that are meant to mature us.

We explored how Jesus, in teaching us to pray, orders the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer with intention: first for our physical needs, then our emotional needs, and finally our spiritual needs. Only when we are grounded in God’s provision and forgiveness are we truly ready to seek guidance and strength for the trials ahead. Temptation and testing are universal human experiences—inescapable and, in many ways, necessary for growth. The prayer is not a request to be spared from all difficulty, but rather a plea for the endurance and strength not to be overcome by the trials we inevitably face.

Through stories and examples, we saw that God’s intent is not our comfort, but our growth. Like a coach who pushes an athlete beyond their comfort zone, or a parent who lets go of the bike so a child can learn to ride, God sometimes removes the “training wheels” so we can mature in faith. The trials we encounter—whether they lure us toward sin, reveal our true character, or are meant to prod us toward spiritual maturity—are not meant to destroy us, but to shape us into faithful disciples. Our hope is that, as we faithfully pray and live out the Lord’s Prayer, we are transformed by it, becoming more like Christ through years of steady devotion.

Key Takeaways

1. The petition “lead us not into temptation” is not simply about avoiding sin, but about asking God for the strength to endure all forms of trial—those that entice, those that test, and those that mature us. The Greek word “peirasmos” encompasses a spectrum of experiences, reminding us that God’s concern is not to shield us from all difficulty, but to walk with us through it, shaping us in the process. [39:03]
2. The order of the Lord’s Prayer teaches us that spiritual guidance is best sought after our physical and emotional needs are addressed. Only when we are grounded in God’s provision and forgiveness are we truly open to receive divine guidance and withstand the trials that come our way. This order reflects a deep wisdom about human nature and spiritual growth. [31:15]
3. Trials are not always signs of God’s absence or displeasure; often, they are the very means by which God matures us. Like a good teacher who tests not to see us fail but to help us master the subject, God allows us to be tested so that we might grow in faith, resilience, and character. Our prayer is not to avoid all hardship, but to be strengthened through it. [43:52]
4. Growth rarely happens in comfort. Just as a child cannot learn to ride a bike without risking a fall, we cannot mature in faith without facing challenges that stretch us. Sometimes God’s greatest care is shown not by propping us up, but by letting us risk, stumble, and ultimately discover new strength and confidence in Him. [52:50]
5. The hope of the Lord’s Prayer is that, through faithful repetition and living, we are transformed by it. Like the man who wore the mask of a saint until it became his true face, our steady devotion to Christ’s way shapes us into people who reflect His character—not by avoiding trials, but by being changed through them. [57:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:36] - Opening Greetings and Announcements
[05:30] - Father’s Day Photo Booth and Visitor Welcome
[15:15] - Father’s Day Litany
[17:54] - Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer Series Finale
[31:15] - The Order of the Lord’s Prayer Petitions
[32:28] - Reciting the Lord’s Prayer
[33:35] - Humor and the Nature of Temptation
[36:28] - The Problem with “Temptation”
[39:03] - The Meaning of “Peirasmos”
[42:51] - Testing, Trials, and God’s Purposes
[45:22] - Facing All Types of Trials
[46:31] - Growth Through Trials
[49:05] - The Training Wheels Story
[52:50] - God’s Care in Letting Go
[54:07] - Holding the Prayer Lightly
[57:13] - Transformation Through Faithful Practice
[60:07] - Welcoming New Members and Benediction
[62:44] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:9-13 (NRSV) — > Pray then in this way:
> Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
> Your kingdom come.
> Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
> Give us this day our daily bread.
> And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
> And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.

Observation Questions

In the Lord’s Prayer, what is the order of the petitions Jesus teaches us to pray, and what kinds of needs does each address? ([31:15])
According to the sermon, what does the Greek word “peirasmos” mean, and how is it broader than just “temptation”? ([39:03])
What examples from the Bible did the pastor mention to show how God’s people have been tested or tried? ([42:51])
What story did the pastor share about learning to ride a bike, and how did it relate to the idea of trials and growth? ([49:05])

Interpretation Questions

Why might Jesus have placed the petition for guidance (“lead us not into temptation”) after the requests for daily bread and forgiveness? What does this order suggest about our readiness to face spiritual challenges? ([31:15])
The sermon explained that “peirasmos” can mean temptation, testing, or trial. How does understanding this fuller meaning change the way we pray the Lord’s Prayer? ([39:03])
The pastor said that God’s intent is not our comfort, but our growth. How does this perspective affect the way we view difficult times in our lives? ([46:31])
The story of the “training wheels” was used as a metaphor. What does it suggest about God’s role in our spiritual development, especially when we feel unsteady or afraid? ([52:50])

Application Questions

The sermon said that trials are not always signs of God’s absence or displeasure, but can be the very means by which God matures us. Can you think of a time when a difficult situation helped you grow in faith or character? How did you see God at work in that time? ([43:52])
The Lord’s Prayer asks for strength not to be overcome by trials, rather than to avoid them altogether. What is one trial or temptation you are currently facing, and how might you pray differently about it after hearing this message? ([46:31])
The pastor compared God to a coach who sometimes “removes the training wheels” so we can grow. Is there an area in your life where you sense God is asking you to step out of your comfort zone? What would it look like to trust Him in that area? ([52:50])
The sermon mentioned that growth rarely happens in comfort. What is one practical step you could take this week to embrace a challenge or trial, rather than avoid it? ([46:31])
The pastor said, “When we pray the Lord’s Prayer rightly, that’s our hope: that by praying it, we become it.” Is there a line or phrase from the Lord’s Prayer that you want to focus on living out more intentionally? How could you practice this in your daily life? ([57:13])
The message talked about the importance of being grounded in God’s provision and forgiveness before seeking spiritual guidance. Are there any physical or emotional needs you need to bring to God first, so you can be open to His leading? ([31:15])
The story of the man who wore the mask of a saint until it became his true face was shared as a picture of transformation. Is there a “mask” of Christlike character you are trying to grow into? What small, steady practices could help you become more like Christ over time? ([57:13])

Sermon Clips

Only after we've built a foundation on which we can function, our physical needs and our emotional needs, does God or Jesus then lead us to ask for guidance because maybe then we're actually in a position to receive said guidance. [00:31:54]

Do we think that that is what we're doing when we're asking God to deliver us from those persistent temptations that plague us? Those temptations, both big and small, both harmful and mostly innocuous that lurk in the back of our minds and entice us to do things that make us feel a little guilty, a little shamed? Maybe that's what we're praying for. [00:36:31]

If this prayer is about that kind of temptation, then I think we have two big problems. First, temptation is a very human and universal experience. No person on earth doesn't face temptation on a daily basis. [00:37:19]

The ancient wisdom of the Jewish faith knew that an inescapable part of life is to face temptation. That it's almost impossible to think about human existence without it. [00:37:58]

So if that is what we mean when we pray this petition that God would intervene and keep us from facing temptation, then I have to tell you God's track record at answering that prayer is pretty poor. A lot of us are going to go out to lunch after church today and still order fries even though we know we ought to order the side salad. [00:38:15]

Part of our problem is that we simply do not have a good English equivalent for the Greek word that has historically been translated as temptation. The Greek word perasmus can mean the direct and deliberate seduction to sin—that's the most negative sense of the word—and when used in this way it's referring to an action that is designed to lure a person into sin. [00:40:05]

But that exact same word can also mean to test or prove something as in testing or proving the quality of metal or maybe the substance of one's character. [00:41:08]

There is a world of difference between the kind of testing which is intended to entice you into sin and that in which a person may fail, but in which they are not meant to fail. A good teacher gives you an exam, not because he or she wants you to fail, but because he or she wants you to succeed and with the hope that through the testing you will have come to master the subject. [00:43:52]

God's testing is like that. God does not tempt us in an evil sense, but God does allow us to be tested with the hope that through it we will emerge spiritually strengthened and more mature. [00:44:32]

So, this one Greek word packs quite a punch, doesn't it? And frankly, our English word temptation is not up to the task. It's entirely too inadequate for what this word can and does mean. [00:44:49]

In English, I think the word that comes nearest may be the word that the NRSV uses, the word trial. Because we can face daily trials that try to lure us into sin. We can face trials that reveal the substance of our true character. And we can face God-given trials that are meant not for our failure, but to prod us toward growth and maturity. [00:45:15]

And the truth is, we will face all three types of trials in our lives, maybe even regularly. That reality can't be avoided. So, what do we mean when we pray, lead us not into a time of trial? [00:45:41]

When she was reflecting on this petition, the great Christian contemplative of the Middle Ages, Julian of Norwich, said, she heard Jesus say to her, Thou shalt not be overcome. Not, not, thou shalt not face trials, but thou shalt not be overcome by the trials. [00:46:04]

So, when we pray, lead us not into temptation, maybe what we're really asking for is the strength, the endurance, to not be overcome by those trials that try to entice us into sin, and by those trials that are testing our mettle, and by those trials that God gives us that are meant to prod us into growth. [00:46:31]

The truth is that we do not grow when everything is going right. All success has to teach us is to keep doing it the way we just did. We learn nothing new when everything goes right. We learn nothing new when we're comfortable, but God's intent for us is not our comfort. [00:46:58]

We do not grow when everything is going right. All success has to teach us is to keep doing it the way we just did. We learn nothing new when everything goes right. We learn nothing new when we're comfortable. [00:47:00]

God's intent for us is not our comfort. What God intends for us is to grow up to grow up into mature and faithful disciples. [00:47:25]

What God intends for us is to grow up to grow up into mature and faithful disciples. We might best pray this last petition then when we pray it like an athlete, when the athlete comes into practice and says to their coach, Hey, go easy on me today. Let's keep it light, huh? But who knows? Who knows? The moment they walk into practice that their coach probably has different plans for how to help them get better, how to help them improve and to grow. [00:47:31]

We might pray, go easy on me today. Don't push me too hard. But the coach may have other plans for us. And our job is to trust that the coach knows what they're doing to help us get better, even if it makes us uncomfortable, even if in the beginning it feels like failure. [00:48:16]

Sometimes we experience God's best care for us when God stops propping us up like a set of training wheels and just turns us loose. We don't always grow very well when God goes along with us, guiding our every step, keeping us from facing any trial. [00:53:16]

Sometimes what we most need is for the training wheels to come off, even if that's not what we want. So, when we pray, lead us not into a time of trial. Let's agree to hold that prayer lightly. [00:53:44]

Like an athlete who says to their coach, go easy on me. But who knows their coach may have other plans for their improvement. Like someone who's had the training wheels come off and knows you can't grow unless you're willing to risk a spill from time to time. [00:54:12]

Because here's the truth. The coach knows best. Amen. [00:54:42]

When we pray the Lord's Prayer rightly, that's our hope. That by praying it, we become it. Faithfully. Steadily. Years and years of fidelity to it. [00:57:13]

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