Note on Matthew 6:13

Lead us not into Condemnation Rather than Temptation

Matthew 6:13 (NIV84)
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

The original translation of the ( NIV84) says [“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.”] But due to the principle of cause and effect this scripture would be better translated as [And lead us not into (satanic condemnation), but deliver us from the evil one]. But clarifying this a step further it could be translated as [Keep us from falling into the condemnation of the evil one (Satan).]

Principle of Cause and Effect

An example from the field of healthcare can be used to illustrate the principle of cause and effect. The false idea has been promoted that all fat and butter and eggs should be avoided for cardio vascular health and heart health. The faulty reasoning is that fat and butter and cholesterol will plug up the blood vessels and cause high blood pressure and heart attacks and stokes and related cardio vascular disease. But this has been proven wrong because arterial plague is caused by the body repairing damages to the lining of the blood vessels. This damage occurs because of the overconsumption of sugar. Whenever someone consumes large amounts of sugar their body will release insulin to remove that excess sugar from their blood stream. Insulin however is caustic to the blood vessels and leaves something like “chemical burns” within the lining of the blood vessels. When this occurs the body will coat the “oxidized” or “burned spots” with a coating called plaque. Over the course of several decades a person who consistently consumes large amounts of sugar will build up plaque within the blood vessels throughout their entire body. When the stoppages become so great that no more blood can flow to the heart then this can cause heart attacks. Also obstructions within the blood circulation of the brain can result strokes (if a blot clot gets trapped within the confines of a blood vessel blocked by plaque).

Therefore it would be accurate to say that arterial plaque is caused by insulin which damages the lining of the blood vessels and the body produces plaque to cover these arterial wounds.

To condense this statement down further it would be accurate to say that the consumption of sugar will over time cause the arteries to plug up with plague. It is not fat or butter or eggs that cause the problem but instead it is the consumption of sugar which causes insulin spikes – which burns the walls of the blood vessels and body covers the burned spots with plaque as a protective covering.

If young people were warned not to consume sugar they could avoid cardio vascular disease from occurring later in life.

Condensed Statement: Sugar Causes Plaque Buildup within Blood Vessels

So it could be said that consuming sugar will result in plaque build up within the blood vessels. It is a bit more complicated than that because sugar causes insulin spikes and insulin oxidizes the interior of the blood vessels and the body repairs the damages by covering the burned spots with a coating called plague. Over time this plague can cause stoppage of blood flow within the body and this results in cardio vascular disease.

But to simplify the statement it could be said, “Stop sugar consumption and you will stop plaque from building up within the vascular system.”

Illustration of Condensed Statement

In the same way that sugar indirectly causes cardio vascular disease, the same is also true that satanic temptation results in condemnation. It is the condemnation of Satan that is what causes great harm to believers.

Matthew 6:13 (NIV84)
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

The scripture above emphasizes the point of (not leading us into temptation) but the real danger is the condemnation that is caused by the resulting sin. Satan can destroy people using condemnation and totally negate their faith toward God. The devil will scream that they are sinners and God cannot forgive them and thus they are destroyed by satanic condemnation.

Matthew 6:13 (NIV84)-M
13 And lead us not into [satanic condemnation] but deliver us from the evil one.”

The scripture above was modified to use the word (condemnation) instead of (temptation).

Matthew 6:13 (NIV84)-M
13 Keep us from falling into the condemnation of the evil one (Satan).

Above this scripture was clarified even by by saying [keep us from falling into the condemnation of the evil one (Satan)].

This simplification and condensing of this scripture is similar to the example of cardio vascular disease where we condense it down in simplified manner to just say, “Stop consuming sugar and you will never have problems in the future with cardio vascular disease.”

The same is true about temptation because the real thing that destroys be believer is the condemnation of the devil.

Romans 8:1 (NASB95)
1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ as believers because the blood of Jesus washes them from all sin. Satan the accuser has nothing in the lives of those believers who walk in the righteiousness of Christ.

John 14:30 (NASB95)
30 “I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me;

Referring to Satan, Jesus said that the devil had nothing in him because Jesus was without sin. This same righteousness is also imputed to the believer by the work of the Holy Spirit. So the righteousness of the believer is not a work of human self-effort but it is a work of the Holy Spirit.

Conviction verse Condemnation

It should also be noted that the word “conviction” is used to describe when the Holy Spirit makes a believer aware when they sinned so that they can repent and ask the Lord’s forgiveness and turn away from sin. But the word “condemnation” is what comes from Satan the accuser who wants to heap condemnation upon believers because he knows that they can be destroyed by condemnation. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit and condemnation comes from Satan.

Revelation 12:10 (NASB95)
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

Satan is called the accuser because he accuses the believers day and night. The devil is so outrageous in this work that he will even insert an impure thought in the mind of a believer and then accuse them for the bad thought he just inserted into their minds! This is just an illustration of how the devil will accuse and see to condemn the believer for anything and everything.

This s why the believer should pray daily the words, “Keep us from falling into the condemnation of the evil one (Satan).” It is Satan who is the accuser and the believer must be prayerful and on guard against the condemnation of the devil. The devil will seek to condemn them for anything and everything because satanic condemnation can negate their faith and ruin their life and even deceive them that they are unworthy to return to God for forgiveness.

Lead us Not into Temptation

Matthew 6:13 (NIV84)
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

In fact the expression “Lead us not into temptation” sounds rather odd as if God could somehow lead the believer into temptation and if the believer did not pray (not to be led into temptation) – then they would be lead into temptation. It would be like a shepherd leading a sheep toward a cliff only for it to fall off and perish. But this idea really does not make much sense in light of other scriptures.

James 1:13 (NASB95)
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.

The scripture clearly says that God cannot be tempted by evil and God Himself does not tempt any humans with evil. So the emphasis should not be placed on the word temptation but the focus should be directed toward the resulting condemation.

This is like our illustration that it is not fat and butter or cholesterol that causes the problem but it is the sugar that causes cardio vascular disease. It is important to focus on what is really the problem not looking at food like fat or butter or cholesterol which are all things that are utilized by the human body. In the same way the focus should not be on the word “temptation” but rather on “condemnation” which is the real culprit. We should focus on that which is the real problem and not be distracted by using the improper words.

Matthew 6:13 (NIV84)-M
13 And lead us not into [satanic condemnation] but deliver us from the evil one.

The scripture above was modified to say [Lead us not into satanic condemnation but deliver us from the evil one]. This places the focus on “condemnation” rather than on “temptation” so it is similar to the example of health care that focuses on the real culprit “sugar” rather than on fat or cholesterol. We must used the right words or the focus will be wrong. God does not tempt anyone to sin so why would be pray “Lead us not into temptation?” That would be unscriptural in light of other scriptures.

Matthew 6:13 7KB
13 Keep us from falling into the condemnation of the evil one (Satan).

Again, to simplify this further we can place our focus directly on the condemnation of Satan by saying, “Keep us from falling into the condemnation of the evil one (Satan).” This is the direct way of praying that believers need to do because their greatest enemy is the condemnation of the evil one Satan. This is why modified this scripture for use in the 7K-Bible.

Testing Better Than the Word Temptation

Under certain contexts the word “temptation” would be better translated as the word “testing” because the word temptation is often used in context of it being a solicitation to sin. That is different than when God tests someone for obedience.

The meanings of words can change over time when people use words for different applications. In past history the word “gay” meant happy but later it was hijacked to mean “sodomite” so that word no longer has the meaning of happy when used in the context of sodomy. That is an example of assigning alternate meanings to words.

The same can be said of the word “temptation” because this has often be applied to the solicitation to sin like Bathsheba seducing King David into adultery (which could be said that Bathsheba tempted David by bathing within view of his palace). But it is already established that God does not tempt humans into sin and God Himself is not tempted by sin. So the word “temptation” should not have the misapplied meaning of “solicitation to sin” as in seduction.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB95)
13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Usually people assume the temptation describe above would be for some sort of sin like committing sexual immorality or indulging in some sort of vice. But it is better to be understood in the context of a test. It would seem strange of God would cause them to have unclean desires and would tempt them to see if they would fulfill these unrighteous desires. This cannot be true because the scriptures already make it clear that God cannot be tempted by evil and God does not tempt humans with evil either. It is a false presumption then that the scripture above is speaking of believers being tempted by some sort of evil desires. If viewed in the context of a test then it makes more sense.

Honesty Test

In the scripture above the temptation referred to here would be best translated as test. There are believers who had an honesty test. My father once had a check worth thousands of dollars made out to his name by a grain company. Since the check was in his name he could have cashed it. However he knew he never sold any grain to this company at that time so he knew it was a mistake and he returned that check to the senders. This is an example of an honesty test when someone has the opportunity to receive money that is not theirs but they fear God and do not touch it. It is the fear of the Lord that kept them honest – even when given the opportunity to get something for nothing (that was not theirs).

Faith Test

1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)
7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

The faith of a believer can be tested as well when under pressure of circumstances they stand firm and hold onto the promises of God’s word without wavering. Various trials or situations to use faith will test that faith like fire tests and purifies gold. So a person who has faith will be like Abraham who did not wavier at the promise of God even when he was tested by the circumstances of old age and having a barren wife.

Romans 4:20–21 (NASB95)
20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God,
21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.

Abraham did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith giving glory to God. Abraham was fully convinced that what God had promised He was able to preform.

Romans 4:19 (NASB95)
19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;

So the faith of Abraham was tested by the circumstances of old age and the barrenness of Sarah his wife. But Abraham did not consider the deadness of his own old body of about a hundred years old and he did not consider the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He only looked at what God had promised and he passed the faith test by not being moved by circumstances.

James 1:2–3 (NASB95)
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

It is the “testing of our faith” which produces endurance when we remain steadfast and unmovable and do not consider outward circumstances but instead look only to God’s promises.

Obedience Test

Genesis 22:1 (NASB95)
1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

God can test a person for their obedience as he tested Abraham. God never intended to have Isaac killed and burnt up but it was only a test to see if Abraham would give to God the most valuable thing he had. This is true of all believers as well because they should not have anything in their heart that is more important than God. God may even ask them to give up something if that object becomes a main focus of their lives. This can happen with material possessions or things or a hobby or some sort of passion or sport. If that thing comes before God they may have to surrender it to God or even forsake it or give it up or give it away.

Genesis 22:2 (NASB95)
2 He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”

Abraham was told to take his promised son and offer him in the land of Moriah. Later it turned out that the exact location of the place of Abraham’s sacrifice was the same location where the Jebusite built his threshing floor and where Solomon built the first temple.

Genesis 22:10–12 (NASB95)
10 Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
12 He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

So God never intended to have Isaac killed or burned up like a pagan sacrifice. Instead it was just a test to see if Abraham would withhold his most valuable thing (his promised son Isaac) from God. This is a type or analogy that speaks of how God also gave his only Son Jesus as a sacrifice for the sin of the whole world who was sacrificed in the same place (near the city of Jerusalem) where Abraham offered is own son Isaac to God.

Sometimes the word for “temptation” could be better translated as “test” for this reason. In the scriptures that refer to God testing the obedience of his people it is a test in the same manner that God tested the obedience of Abraham by asking him to give his only son Isaac to the Lord. Often if a person is willing to give anything to God then there is no problem with them keeping the thing they were willing to give up.

When I was a new believer I had several possessions that I was fond of and the Lord told me to give them away. But once I corrected my attitude and looked only to God (instead of things) for my fulfillment – then there was no more problem with me keeping any type of possession. It was a lesson I learned to never place attention or affection upon material possessions above God or become so zealous about hobbies or sports that I would be asked by God to forsake such things. There should be nothing in the heart of the believer that comes before God. If they keep their heart motives right then God is free to bless them with any sort of blessing (as long as it is not an idol in their heart before the Lord).

Loyalty Test

Revelation 3:10 (NASB95)
10 ‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

A time will come when godless people will seize control over the earth and they will actively persecute all those who believe in God. They will freeze bank accounts and remove jobs and employment away from those who are believers. They will take children away from believing parents and even imprison or torture believers. There will come a time when it is no longer popular to be a believer and those who believe in God may even have to pay for it with their lives.

Hebrews 11:38 (NASB95)
38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

This scripture speaks of believers who had all they owned confiscated and they wandered about homeless and sought shelter in deserts (remote regions) and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. They had to pay a high price to believe in God within a godless world that will punish believers and take all they have away from them.

Hebrews 10:34–36 (NASB95)
34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.
35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

Believers during the New Testament era suffered the seizure of their property leaving them destitute and without anything. These believers who suffered the loss of all possessions were admonished not to throw away their confidence but remain faithful to God. They were to endure to the end so that they would obtain their salvation without giving up under pressure.

This can be called a loyalty test because their loyalty to Christ was being tested by the lost of everything for being a believer. There was real pressure to deny Christ in order to save their own necks. This is the kind of test that will come upon all of the inhabitants of the earth. Everyone will be forced to either choose for or against Christ and there will be great pressure applied to force them to choose one side or another. There will be no more middle ground because they will have to choose Christ or choose the world’s system. This is a loyalty test to see what choice people will make when they are faced with persecution and pressure to deny Christ to save their own necks.

This scripture above can also be used to describe the “loyalty test” which will be forced upon all inhabitants of the earth. Their faith in God will be tested when their is great pressure to deny the Lord in order to save their own necks.

Satan the Accuser

Zechariah 3:1 (NASB95)
1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

This scriptures speaks of Satan was accusing the high priest Joshua and they rebuked the devil and put on clean turban on his head which speaks of having thoughts of righteousness and the clean robes speaks of holiness from the blood of Jesus.

Titus 3:5 (NASB95)
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

The believer is washed by the blood of Jesus and made holy not by his own human self-effort so the devil’s testing here is one toward condemnation – as the devil will condemn them for everything and anything. It is the condemnation of the devil that can destroy the believer if they are ignorant of his devices and ignorant of his demonic schemes to ruin them.

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NASB95)
11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

The devil uses deception just as he did with Eve in the beginning and has continued to do until now. It is this deception that can lead believers into condemnation as the devil deceives them that they are unworthy and gets their focus off the righteousness that is by faith in Jesus Christ.

Satan accuses the brethren day and night before God so they must keep themselves washed in the blood of the Lamb constantly by repentance in order to close the door to satanic condemnation.

Revelation 12:11 (NASB95)
11 “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

The believer has overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb Jesus – who washed them of all sins. So it is a good thing to pray daily the blood of Jesus which washes them of all sin. This type of prayer will close the door to the enemy Satan so he cannot destroy them with condemnation. Sin must be repented for and covered by the blood of Jesus daily and they must also turn from sin and stop doing the things that open the door for Satan’s condemnation.

1 John 1:9–10 (NASB95)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

The believer is to confess their sins before the Lord and receive forgiveness and cleansing. Everyone needs this forgiveness because all of sinned. This is the way to close the door on the condemnation of the devil for sin.

Matthew 6:13 (NASB95)-M
13 Keep us from falling into the *condemnation of the evil one (Satan). For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

The believer is to pray daily that they will not fall into the condemnation of the evil one (Satan). The statement, “Yours is the kingdom and power and glory forever!’ shows that God is still in control and it is God who determines who is righteous and those who are washed in the blood of Jesus are righteous in God’s sight. Satan has no power of condemnation over such believers who are like Joshua (the high priest) wearing a clean turban on his head (which represents the thoughts of righteousness) that are by faith and not by religious works of human self-effort.

Matthew 26:41 (NASB95)
41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

This translation above would be better to speak of not entering into condemnation because their spirit is willing but their flesh is weak. So believers must be on their guard and not fall into condemnation.

Matthew 26:41 (NASB95)-M
41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into condemnation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The word above was changed from temptation to “condemnation” so the believer should actively pray that they not enter into the condemnation of the devil.

Luke 4:13–14 (NASB95)
13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.

So, Jesus was tempted in all ways to sin just as all humans are tempted to sin. The temptations were designed to get Jesus away from trust in God and become self-sufficient (which is sin). Jesus was tempted to turn stones to bread to meet his own needs instead of waiting on God to feed him. He was tempted to test God by jumping off a high place to see if God would save him. He was tempted to have all the power and money on earth if he would compromise his relationship with God. This was what happened to Joseph in Egypt when he was tested a long time as a slave and prisoner before he arrived at all power and authority. but Joseph was broken and humble and did not use that power for selfish purposes. But most humans would be corrupted by power if they were exalted over an entire nation and over all surrounding nations as Joseph was.

These are the main categories of sin that speak of self-sufficiency and self-exaltation, but Jesus did not yield and defeated sin in the flesh and was spotless and holy as the Son of God. He defeated sin in the flesh so that he would be the perfect sacrifice to take away the sins of the whole world (for all generations) by the sacrifice of himself. This is how the blood of Jesus washes all humans from every type of sin because his blood is perfect and sinless.

Hebrews 9:12 (NASB95)
12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Jesus purified the holy place in heaven itself by the sacrifice of his own pure blood for all humanity past and present and future. It is this blood that frees the believer from condemnation.

So, praying “lead us not into condemnation” speaks of using the blood of Jesus to wash away sins by the blood of Jesus and to repent (which means to turn from sin and not go back to it again).

Again, I say it is better to say “lead us not into condemnation” because it is all about not opening the door to the devil for condemnation. The believer must confess all sins and plead the blood of Jesus to close the door to the devil for condemnation.

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