QC and SG accountability (29/6/18)
Great time hearing the experiences of Josh, Winnie and Qin Ying overseas on their mission trips. My takeaway is that greatness in the Kingdom is measured by how childlike we are (Matt 18:4)
We discussed the topic "Lead us not into temptation".
On one hand, it appears that God never does that (When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone, James 1:13). So if He doesn't, why pray that He not? Then we read that "Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." (Matt 4:1), which seems to contradict this idea...!
The Greek word 'periasmos' can mean either a 'trial' or a 'temptation'. Which of these translations is preferred at any time in the NT solely depends on the context in which it is used. The same situation is both trial and temptation. God does lead us into trials, and we are to rejoice when we face them (James 1:2). He does this to build up our faith. Satan, on the other hand, tempts us in order to destroy our faith. This illumines the parallel phrase in the Lord's prayer that immediately follows: "But deliver us from the evil (one)".
Jesus exhorted his disciples not to "enter into temptation" (Mt 26:41, Mk 14:38, Lk 22:40-46). Those who desire to be rich "fall into temptation" (1 Tim 6:9). In other words, the Lord's prayer is a petition that we not be overtaken or overcome by temptation. The promise to all of us is, "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 Cor 10:13). This petition in the Lord's prayer, then, is one way in which we fulfill this promise, and escape from the power of the temptation - God hears our plea to not be put in situations that will cause us to fall into sin.
Pope Francis has gone on record to say that this part of the Lord's prayer should be translated, "Do not let us fall into temptation". I think he is right :)
We discussed the topic "Lead us not into temptation".
On one hand, it appears that God never does that (When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone, James 1:13). So if He doesn't, why pray that He not? Then we read that "Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." (Matt 4:1), which seems to contradict this idea...!
The Greek word 'periasmos' can mean either a 'trial' or a 'temptation'. Which of these translations is preferred at any time in the NT solely depends on the context in which it is used. The same situation is both trial and temptation. God does lead us into trials, and we are to rejoice when we face them (James 1:2). He does this to build up our faith. Satan, on the other hand, tempts us in order to destroy our faith. This illumines the parallel phrase in the Lord's prayer that immediately follows: "But deliver us from the evil (one)".
Jesus exhorted his disciples not to "enter into temptation" (Mt 26:41, Mk 14:38, Lk 22:40-46). Those who desire to be rich "fall into temptation" (1 Tim 6:9). In other words, the Lord's prayer is a petition that we not be overtaken or overcome by temptation. The promise to all of us is, "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 Cor 10:13). This petition in the Lord's prayer, then, is one way in which we fulfill this promise, and escape from the power of the temptation - God hears our plea to not be put in situations that will cause us to fall into sin.
Pope Francis has gone on record to say that this part of the Lord's prayer should be translated, "Do not let us fall into temptation". I think he is right :)
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