Catechisma

Lord’s Day 52

Q127. What does the sixth request mean?

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" means: On our own, we are too weak to stand even for a moment. Our enemies — the devil, the world, and our own sinful desires — never stop attacking us. So, Lord, hold us up and make us strong by the power of your Holy Spirit, so that we do not lose this spiritual battle but keep fighting until we win the final victory.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

1

Psalm 103:14–16

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we dust. man, his days as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

John 15:1–5

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

2

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Ephesians 6:10–13

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high . Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

3

John 15:18–21

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

4

Romans 7:23

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Galatians 5:17

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

5

Matthew 10:19–20

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 13:33

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Romans 5:3–5

And not only , but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

6

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Thessalonians 3:13

To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Parent Guide

Discuss this question together

Discussion Questions

  1. 1

    What three enemies does the catechism say are always attacking us?

  2. 2

    Why does the catechism say we are too weak to stand on our own even for a moment?

  3. 3

    When do you feel most tempted to do wrong?

Illustration

A soldier in a battle does not win by his own strength alone. He needs armor, weapons, and backup from his unit. The devil, the world, and our own sinful desires are always fighting against us. We need the Holy Spirit's strength because this battle is too much for us on our own.

Application

When you feel tempted this week, pray immediately: "God, I am weak. Make me strong by your Spirit." Do not wait until the temptation passes or until you give in. Because God promises to hold you up, calling on him in the moment of struggle is exactly what this prayer teaches.