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Stump, Joseph

"An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism"


If we are in earnest in praying this Petition, we will not run into
temptation ourselves, [Matt. 4:7] nor lead others into it.
HOW WE ARE TEMPTED.
GOD INDEED TEMPTS NO ONE TO SIN: for He wishes us to do good, and not
evil. But He leads us into circumstances in which we are _tried_, and
must decide for or against Him, for good or for evil. This is the sense
in which the Bible speaks of God as tempting persons. [Gen. 22:1] He
tries or tests us. Remembering that we are weak, we pray in this
petition that God would spare us such trials as much as is possible
according to His will, and strengthen us in them, that we may be
faithful.
_The Devil, the World, and our own Flesh tempt us to Sin_. These are the
great enemies of our souls, who will lead us to destruction if we do not
earnestly resist them and repel their temptations.
WHAT WE PRAY.
1. _That we may not be Deceived or Misled by these Enemies_.
WE PRAY IN THIS PETITION THAT GOD WOULD SO GUARD AND PRESERVE US, THAT
THE DEVIL, who puts evil thoughts into our hearts, [Gen.


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