Do you ever recite that part of the Lord’s Prayer that says “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”? (The Lord’s Prayer can be found in Matt 6 and Luke 11). This is a common thing to ask of God; lead me not into temptation. But what are we really asking? Are we asking that God actually lead us or that we be left to wander around where ever we want and just have God remove any stumbling blocks as we go? I think many of us are kind of like the latter. Somewhat like praying “God, don’t let me be tempted by sweets today,” and then heading towards Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory hoping that God will either remove the sugary world or He will change you so you no longer have a sweet tooth.
Asking God to “Lead us not into temptation” is really just asking God to “Lead us, period.” And if we are asking God to lead us, then we need to be ready to follow. Which means we don’t have the freedom to wander around where ever we want.
We can’t ask God to lead us toward contentment and then wander onto social media.
We can’t ask God to lead us toward peacefulness and then wander into places we know cause arguments.
We can’t ask God for purity and then wander into areas (online or with other people) that cause lust.
Asking God to not lead us into temptation does not give us license to go where ever or do whatever. It takes effort on our part to actually discern the will of God and follow in that direction.
Today, ask God to lead you. Then open the Word of God and see where He wants you to go.