Episode 64: The Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer

March 18, 2026 James Preus

The Sixth Petition

And lead us not into temptation.

What does this mean? God tempts no one. We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.

The Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer from Luther’s Large Catechism

What does it mean to tempt?
Temptation is when the devil, world, or our sinful nature tries to deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice.
“And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!” Luke 17:1
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
What are the three sources of temptation?
1. The Devil
1. World
1. Sinful Nature (flesh)

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” Matthew 4:1
“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!” Matthew 18:7
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

Does God tempt you to sin?
No. God tempts no one, but he does test our faith to bring us closer to him.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” James 1:13-14
“After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 22:1-2
“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.;” Exodus 20:20
“Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.” John 6:5-6
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3
Who is Satan? Is he real? How does he tempt you?
Satan is a fallen angel. He is a murderer and the father of lies. He tempts you to sin by questioning God’s word and denying its power.
“Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matthew 25:41
“And Jesus said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Luke 10:18
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
“He (the serpent, Satan) said to the woman, “Did God actually say…” Genesis 3:1
How does the world tempt you?
The world is ruled by the devil. The world distracts you from God and his word with the riches and pleasures of this life. (What riches and pleasures of this life distract people from faith in Christ?)
“As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” Matthew 13:22
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17
“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4
Jesus said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air (the devil), the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience…” Ephesians 2:1-2
What is your sinful nature? Why is it called the flesh? Why is it called the Old Adam?
My sinful nature is the original sin, with which I am born.
“Behold I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalm 51:5
My sinful nature is called the flesh, because it so closely clings to me and because it opposes the Holy Spirit. “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:17
My sinful nature is called my Old Adam, because I inherited my sin from my first father, Adam. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” Romans 5:12
How does your sinful nature tempt you?
By enticing me to satisfy the desires of my flesh.
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” Matthew 15:19
How often should you pray to be led out of temptation? Why?
Often, because I face temptation frequently.
“So, I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” Romans 7:21
What does God promise to those who are tempted?
For every temptation he provides a way of escape.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

Lead Not into temptation, Lord,

Where our grim foe and all his horde

Would vex our souls on ev’ry hand.

Help us resist, help us to stand

Firm in the faith, a mighty host,

Through comfort of the Holy Ghost. (LSB 766:7; Our Father, Who from Heaven Above, Martin Luther).