We may think of ourselves as failures or disappointments when we encounter things that tempt us; indeed if we sin, deliberately and repeatedly, we are guilty of committing that mistake in a meaningful way.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

Luke 4:1-2

But Jesus was led into temptation and did not sin. Led by the Spirit, no less. His time of temptation was planned for our benefit, that we could see that God may allow us to be tested so that he can prove the power of his Spirit within us.

He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

lUKE 11:1-5

When Jesus prayed the model prayer, he did not merely offer a template but also prayed with meaning. Knowing what it meant to be led into temptation, he prayed that he might be spared from that again, and taught his followers to do the same.

Ethan Kirl