Monday, November 17, 2025
Deliver us from the evil one... Matthew 6:13
The Lord’s prayer is a model Jesus gave us to help us pray in the right way – a way that will help us live and look more and more like him every day. In the sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer, titled “Pray Like This,” two weeks ago we looked at Matthew 6:13, And do not bring us into temptation – a prayer for strength to stand against temptation. Yesterday Pastor Jim taught on the second part of verse 13, Deliver us from the evil one. This is to be a prayer for protection and empowerment against the evil forces (external forces) that battle to tempt us to sin.
What is a proper understanding of these external forces and how should we respond to their attacks on our faith and our lives?
We must realize we have a real (spiritual) enemy, and we are in a spiritual battle
every day.
As Christians we are called by God to spread the Gospel in the world. We are to be salt and light to a dark and lost world and we know that the darkness does not like the light. Satan does not want us to push against the darkness. He does not want the Gospel of Christ spread. He is the enemy of God and as believers, that makes us his enemy too. We do not have the power to resist the devil in our own power. As children of God, we have been forgiven and the penalty for our sin has already been paid. But we are in a daily spiritual battle with our flesh and the devil. Our real enemy is not flesh and blood but instead it is powers of darkness which is Satan and his army of demons.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. Ephesians 6:12
Yesterday Pastor Jim told us there is a daily spiritual battle going on between Satan and his forces and God his church. We must know and understand who this enemy is so we can see him coming and not mistake him for a friend. This enemy’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy, (John 10:10) and he does it by dressing up the things he wants to use to destroy us to look enticing. The only chance we have against this is standing in the power and protection of God.
We are in battle together – we are on the same side as God. We are not of this world and the spirit of God in us is greater than he that is in the world… which is Satan. You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. I John 4:4
God is on our side - There is no greater power than him and as his children no one can ever take our salvation away. Our salvation is secure and no one can ever
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38 Because of this security we can stand in the power, wisdom, and strength of God.
God has equipped us
Prayer is our number one line of defense for all things. Pray for protection from Satan and his antics for yourself, your family, friends, and other Christians. Pray continually, even when it is hard and feels like your prayers are going nowhere. He is always there. He always sees. He is always with us.
For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. Ephesians 6:13-18
Putting on the full armor of God will protect us from evil. We need to be drenched in the Holy Spirit, prayer, and every other weapon we have against evil - God's word, the gospel of peace, a shield to not just stop the flaming arrows but to extinguish them. They don't just bounce off of us - they are extinguished. Anything Satan ever hurls our way will be extinguished in the power and knowledge of God. We should wear this armor every day - wrapping ourselves in him, his word, his power, and his truth.
There is a battle and we are on the battlefield. We can stand against our enemy in the full armor of God and be protected from his attacks. Our God has already defeated him and as hard as he may try to get to us, we can stand secure and firm knowing that we are covered and protected by almighty God. Trust God and know that he will fight for you and with you, delivering you from the evil one.
What do yo do when you feel these forces waging war against your life?
Do you recognize the real enemy for who they really are - not flesh and blood?
