There was a bit of a kerfuffle a few years back over the phrase in the Our Father: “Lead us not into temptation.” It was suggested that the phrase be changed to “do not let us fall into temptation,” reasoning that the original wording incorrectly implies God pushes people into sin, whereas it is Satan’s domain to tempt. It is certainly true that God does not lead people into sin, but I think the complaint misses a grammatical point. It is fine to pray: “Do not let us fall into temptation,” but I don’t merely want God to “not let me fall”: I want Him to lead me away.
Consider this image. You see a beautiful, sensuous woman across the room, provocatively dressed. You could walk towards her and be more deeply tempted by her. Or you could turn and walk away. I think it is time to pray, Lord, lead me not into – lead me out of, lead me away from – temptation. It would be foolish to pray: “Lord, lead me into some serious temptation, so that I can see whether I am able to resist it.” Better to just walk away.
I knew a man who
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