BiblicalInsights.net

The Sermon on the Mount includes the prayer that Jesus taught to His disciples (Matthew 6:9-13).  The prayer contains sixty-six words (KJV).  But, it includes all of the essential elements of a prayer:  address, body, and closing.  We now pray through Jesus’ name because He is our mediator and intercessor (John 16:26; I Tim. 2:5; Rom. 8:34).
The prayer includes the phrase, “Deliver us from evil.”  The petition involves satan exposed, countered and defeated.
Satan Exposed
The word of God exposes satan as the enemy of every human being.  I Pet. 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  Satan is a destroyer (Rev. 9:11).  He is a deceiver.  John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”  Satan is a tempter.  He tempts us to bring us to condemnation before God.  “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.  And when the tempter came to him, he said If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Matt. 4:1-3).  Paul declares that we are not ignorant of his devices (II Cor. 2:11).  Through the truth of God’s word, we are informed about our enemy and so can prepare to overcome him.
Satan Countered
Jesus is our example in overcoming temptation (Matt. 4:1-11).  Jesus met each of the temptations presented to Him by satan with the word of God.  Knowledge of God’s word is indispensable in refuting the lies (temptations) of satan.  A firm commitment to the truth is also necessary.  Jesus was determined to maintain virtue of heart and soul.  Jesus also exercised spiritual discernment (righteous judgment) in order to differentiate between truth and error.  Jesus resisted satan and satan fled from Him.  Paul states that with every temptation there is a way of escape (I Cor. 10:13).  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape.”  In I Tim. 6:11-12, Paul gives three was to escape any temptation.  First, we may flee.  Joseph did this to escape from Potipher’s wife (Gen. 39:7-12).  Second, we my follow after Jesus.  Pursuit of righteousness is a sure way to defeat temptation.  Third, we may fight (contend earnestly for the faith).  This may involve reproof (Eph. 5:11), defense of truth (Phil. 1:17), instruction in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16-17). Through following God’s Word and the example of Jesus we can be delivered from evil.
Satan Defeated
The ultimate defeat of satan occurred when Jesus died on the cross. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).  “He that committed sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:8). Satan’s work involves bringing  people to condemnation before God by tempting them to transgress God’s precepts.  When they sin against God, they die spiritually.  Sin and death are conquered by Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection.  He makes reconciliation to God possible by the atoning power of His blood.  When we are forgiven by God, we are delivered from evil.  Through the Lord Jesus Christ, we can overcome satan and live victoriously!  Forgiveness of sins is contingent upon our willingness to obey the commands of Christ given in the gospel (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38).  These commands are to repent of our sins and be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins.  Obedience must be from the heart (Rom. 6:16-17) and so must be executed in faith and love for the Lord.  “Being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).  Yes, delivered from evil.