Lead us not into Temptation

Lets get one thing straight - 'God cannot be tempted by evil nor does he tempt anyone'. (James 1:13)

Temptation comes from our own desires enticing us into sin.

I see this as a prayer to lead me away from / out of situations (which may even be benign or good) which everyone else can handle, but which I cannot and will lead me to fall / stumble / sin (i.e. do / say something not good). I also see this prayer as a reminder to 'watch myself' - be aware of my own weaknesses.

'Temptation' in the words of Jesus' teaching on prayer also refers to times of trial and testing rather than evil.
Although any fall or stumble, even if not 'evil', is still 'falling short of God's glory'.

I'm reminded of the prayer (Proverbs 30:8-9):
"God, don't let me dishonour you by being so rich that I become proud and say 'I got this by my own effort', nor let me be so poor that I steal."

I don't like comparing wealth and poverty. People have different measuring sticks and different pain thresholds.
A wealthy man may say "its only a little" - but their poverty would destroy me.
A poor man may be content and not bitter - but their wealth would break me.

I don't like the idea of being tested - using 'exam techniques' to pass does not work with God!

How serious am I about following Jesus, being discipled? A process that takes me into brokenness, through to healing, through to maturing and through to being ready for his purposes. That can only happen if I am honest about myself, otherwise I am living in deception and the truth is not in me. Maybe on occassion such honesty can only be achieved through a time of testing - when I discover the real truth about me.

But such testing may not be something nasty. I recall an occasion where I determined 'this is stupid, I am not getting involved in this' but eventually I found watching from the sidelines just too painful and stepped in with the needed kindness and gentleness. What? Me 'kind', 'gentle'! But I have found that God calls into existence things that don't exist.