THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST
by Rev. William Smith (1834)

Westminster Shorter Catechism.
Q. 106. What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

A. In the sixth petition, which is, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we pray, That God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.

EXPLICATION.

Keep us from being tempted to sin. –Preserve us from falling into any thing that may entice or persuade us to commit sin, or that may divert or discourage us from our duty, or that, in any respect, may become an occasion of our offending God.

Support and deliver us when we are tempted. –That God would either give us strength to withstand these enticements to sin, and to neglect of duty, or keep us from them altogether, by not allowing us to fall in with them.

ANALYSIS.

We here see, that in using these words, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we pray for two things:

1. That God would, if it be his will, keep us from becoming tempted to sin. –Matt. xxvi. 41. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.  Psal. xix. 13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me.

2. That he would support and deliver us, if we should be tempted. –1 Cor. x. 13. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able to bear.