Here we ask a strange petition. We ask God not to lead us into temptation. What is meant by this request? We are told in the scriptures that God cannot tempt anyone with evil. James 1:13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”

So why would Jesus place in the closing portion of this model prayer a petition to not lead into temptation? Let’s take a closer look so that we can understand and teach others.

The first and primary meaning of the word tempt is to make trial of a person in order to find out what is truly in him, what he is made of, and what he will do. It brings out our true focus. Our focus affects six things: our direction, our devotion, and our desires, as well as our worship, our walk, and our works. All of these six things are independent, as well as intimately related.

The meaning of the phrase “God tempts no man” is that He neither introduces nor inspires evil to come into our hearts, nor can He cause anyone to perform evil. He cannot in any way be a partner with us in our guilt. We are completely responsible ourselves. We can’t blame anyone else for our sin. It is manifested by our will practicing lawlessness. James 1:14-15, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” We seek anything to blame but ourselves including blaming the temptations that we find ourselves looking into and falling prey to. If that doesn’t work, we blame God Himself for our fall because of His goodness to us.