Lord's prayer: "the evil one"
v. 13 And mayest Thou not lead us to temptation, but deliver us from the evil,
i memorized this in King James' version where evil isn't prefaced with "the." i later learned about "the" and how this could be translated "the evil one," which implies our spiritual adversary, Satan. Matthew uses this construction in the parable of the soils in chapter 13. in verse 19 Jesus explains to his disciples that "the evil" comes and eats the seeds off the road. Mark and Luke confirm "the evil" equals "satan" in their recountings.
John uses this construction in 1 John 5:18 and 19. We know that everyone fathered by God does not sin, but God protects the one he has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (NET)
It's as if John is amplifying this section of the prayer. We ask Father to deliver us because He protects those he fathered, and we need deliverance from the evil one, since the whole world is in his power. Paul points out to the Ephesians, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. (6:12 NET) Peter also warns us to be alert, Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NET)
Our enemy is real. He isn't a joke. He isn't a myth. He is enough of a concern to Jesus that he tells us to pray daily for deliverance from this evil one.
additionally, it has recently occurred to me that i too am evil in need of deliverance of myself. i have this selfish unredeemed un-Christ-like part of me which hasn't died, which seeks to reassert the prominence of the flesh over the spirit. not only is the battle without, it's within. i can't deny that my heart is desperately wicked. without that realization i wouldn't know my need for a Savior. but until recently, i've focused on the prayer as deliverance from our external opponent, but i'm also my own opponent. my Lord has definitely begun his work in me, but he isn't finished. he is still setting me free. he is still teaching me the way of love. he is still conforming me to his likeness. i haven't arrived. when i pray this i am now not only praying against Satan, but against my unsubmitted, selfish flesh.
i memorized this in King James' version where evil isn't prefaced with "the." i later learned about "the" and how this could be translated "the evil one," which implies our spiritual adversary, Satan. Matthew uses this construction in the parable of the soils in chapter 13. in verse 19 Jesus explains to his disciples that "the evil" comes and eats the seeds off the road. Mark and Luke confirm "the evil" equals "satan" in their recountings.
John uses this construction in 1 John 5:18 and 19. We know that everyone fathered by God does not sin, but God protects the one he has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (NET)
It's as if John is amplifying this section of the prayer. We ask Father to deliver us because He protects those he fathered, and we need deliverance from the evil one, since the whole world is in his power. Paul points out to the Ephesians, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. (6:12 NET) Peter also warns us to be alert, Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NET)
Our enemy is real. He isn't a joke. He isn't a myth. He is enough of a concern to Jesus that he tells us to pray daily for deliverance from this evil one.
additionally, it has recently occurred to me that i too am evil in need of deliverance of myself. i have this selfish unredeemed un-Christ-like part of me which hasn't died, which seeks to reassert the prominence of the flesh over the spirit. not only is the battle without, it's within. i can't deny that my heart is desperately wicked. without that realization i wouldn't know my need for a Savior. but until recently, i've focused on the prayer as deliverance from our external opponent, but i'm also my own opponent. my Lord has definitely begun his work in me, but he isn't finished. he is still setting me free. he is still teaching me the way of love. he is still conforming me to his likeness. i haven't arrived. when i pray this i am now not only praying against Satan, but against my unsubmitted, selfish flesh.
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