The Lord's Prayer by Thomas Watson

The Lord's Prayer By Thomas Watson CHOICE EXCERPTS A vexing vanity! "Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13 In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the evil world. "He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned—in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live." Galatians 1:4 It is an evil world, as it is a DEFILING world. The opinions and examples of the world are defiling. How easily are we hurried to sin, when we have the tide of natural corruption, and the wind of example to carry us! "You shall not follow a multitude to do evil." Exodus 23:2. Bad examples are contagious. "They mingled among the pagans—and adopted their evil customs." Psalm 106:35. Living in the world, is like traveling on a dirty road. It requires a high degree of grace to keep ourselves "unspotted by the world." James 1:27. It is an evil world, as it is an ENSNARING world. The world is full of snares. Company is a snare; recreation is a snare; riches are golden snares. The apostle John speaks of the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life." 1 John 2:16. The lust of the flesh is beauty; the lust of the eye is money; the pride of life is honor. These are the natural man's trinity. The world is a flattering enemy. Whom it kisses—it betrays; it is a silken halter. The pleasures of the world, like opium, cast men into the sleep of carnal security. Lysimachus sold his crown for a cup of water. Just so, many part with heaven —for the world. They are enslaved with the world's golden fetters! The world bewitched Demas. 2 Timothy 4:10. One of Christ's own apostles was caught with a silver bait. It is hard to drink the wine of prosperity—and not be giddy. The world, through our innate corruption, is evil, as it is a snare. It is an evil world, as it is a DEADENING world. It dulls and deadens the affections to heavenly objects. Earthly things choke the seed of the Word. A man entangled in the world is so taken up with secular concerns, that he can no more mind the things above—than an elephant can fly in the air! And even such as have grace in them—when their affections are beslimed with earth, they find themselves much indisposed to meditation and prayer; it is like swimming with a heavy stone around the neck! It is an evil world, as it is a DECEITFUL world. The world makes us believe it will satisfy our desires— but it only increases them! It is an evil world, as it is a VEXING world. It is full of trouble. "In this world you will have trouble." John 16:33. Basil was of opinion that before the fall—the rose grew without prickles; but now every sweet flower of our life has its thorns! There are many things which cause trouble. Some are troubled that they have no children, others that they have children. The world is a vexing vanity! If a man is poor—he is despised by the rich; if he is rich—he is envied by the poor. If we do not find an ensnaring world, we shall find it an afflicting world; it has more in it to trouble us than tempt us. The world is a sea, where we are tossed upon the surging waves of sorrow, and often in danger of shipwreck! The world is a wilderness, full of fiery serpents! What great need then, have we to pray, "Lord, deliver us from being hurt by this evil world!" ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Trojan horse "Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13 In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the evil of our heart, that it may not entice us to sin. The heart is the poisoned fountain, from whence all actual sins flow. "For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness." Mark 7:21-22. The cause of all evil lies in a man's own bosom—all sin begins at the heart. Lust is first conceived in the heart—and then it is midwifed into the world. Whence comes rash anger? The heart sets the tongue on fire. The heart is the shop where all sin is contrived and hammered out. The heart is the greatest seducer. "Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust." James 1:14. The devil could not hurt us—if our own hearts did not give consent. All that he can do is to lay the bait—but it is our fault to swallow it! How needful, therefore, is this prayer, "Deliver us from the evil of our hearts!" It was Augustine's prayer, "Lord, deliver me from that evil man—myself!" Beware of the bosom traitor—the flesh. The heart of a man is the Trojan horse—out of which comes a whole army of lusts! O let us pray to be delivered from the lusts and deceits of our own heart! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Looking for some victim to devour! "Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13 In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the evil of Satan—"the wicked one." Matthew 13:19. In what respect is Satan the wicked one? He was the first inventor of evil. John 8:44. His inclination is only to evil. Ephesians 6:12. His constant practice is doing evil. 1 Peter 5:8. He has some hand in all the evils and mischief which happen in the world. He hinders from all good. He provokes to evil. The devil blows the fire of lust and strife. When men are proud, the old serpent has poisoned them, and makes them swell! He is a restless adversary—he never sleeps. Satan is a subtle contriver; there is no place that can secure us from his assaults and inroads. Satan is a mighty adversary. He is called the "strong man." Luke 11:21. He takes men captive at his pleasure. "Who are taken captive by him at his will." 2 Tim 2:26. The devil glories in the damnation of souls. His work is to angle for men's souls; he lays suitable baits. He allures the ambitious man with honor. He allures the covetous man with riches; he baits his hook with silver! He allures the lustful man with beauty; he tempts men to Delilah's lap—to keep them from Abraham's bosom! How needful then is this prayer, "Lord, deliver us from the evil one!" "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The burdens of prosperity People are usually better in adversity, than prosperity. A prosperous condition is not always so safe. True, it is more pleasing to the flesh—but it is not always best. In a prosperous state, there is more burden. Many look at the shining and glittering of prosperity—but not at the burdens of prosperity. [1] There is the burden of CARE. Therefore God calls riches "cares." Luke 8:14. A rose has its prickles—so have riches. We think them happy, who flourish in their silks and gold—but we do not see the troubles and cares which attend them! A shoe may have silver lace on it—yet pinch the foot. Many a man who goes to his hard labor, lives a more contented life than he who has millions. Disquieting care is the evil spirit which haunts the rich man. When his chests are full of gold—his heart is full of care how to increase them, or how to secure what he has gotten. A large estate, like a long, trailing garment—is often more troublesome than useful. [2] In a prosperous estate there is the burden of ACCOUNT. Such as are in high places, have a far greater account to give to God than others. "Unto whom much is given—of him shall be much required." The more golden talents any are entrusted with—the more they have to answer for. The more their revenues —the more their reckonings. God will say, "I gave you a great estate—what have you done with it? How have you employed it for My glory?" [3] A prosperous condition has more DANGER in it. Such as are on the top of the pinnacle of honor—are in more danger of falling. They are subject to many temptations. Their table is often a snare. Millions are drowned in the sweet waters of pleasure. A large sail overturns the vessel. Many, by having a too large sail of prosperity, have had their souls overturned! He has need of much wisdom and grace, to know how to wisely bear a high condition. It is hard to carry a full cup without spilling—and a full estate without sinning! Prosperity breeds pride. When the tide rises higher in the river, the boat rises higher; so, when the tide of an estate rises higher, many men's hearts rise higher in pride. Prosperity breeds carnal security. Samson fell asleep in Delilah's lap—so do men in the lap of ease and plenty. The world's golden sands, are quicksands. God knows what is best for us. If we have less estate, we are in less danger. If we lack the riches and honors of others—so we lack their temptations. "How hard it is for rich people to get into the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!" Luke 18:24-25. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The sword which wounds the red dragon! "In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one!" Ephesians 6:16 No grace more bruises the serpent's head—than faith. It is both a shield and a sword, defensive and offensive. It is a shield to guard the head and defend the vitals. The shield of faith prevents the fiery darts of temptation from piercing us through. Faith is also the sword which wounds the red dragon! How does faith come to be so strong—that it can resist Satan and put him to flight? Because faith brings the strength of Christ into the soul. Samson's strength lay in his hair—ours lies in Christ. If a child is assaulted—it runs and calls to its father for help. Just so, when faith is assaulted, it runs and calls Christ, and in His strength overcomes! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Buffeted by Satan's temptations Why does God allow His people to be buffeted by Satan's temptations? He does it for many wise and holy ends. God allows His children to be tempted, to test their love. Our love to God is seen, when we can look a temptation in the face—and turn our back upon it. Though the devil comes as a subtle serpent, and offers a golden apple—yet the one who loves God will not touch the forbidden fruit. When the devil offered Christ all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them—such was Christ's love to His Father, that He abhorred the temptation. True love will not be bribed. When the devil's darts are most fiery —a saint's love to God is most fervent. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." John 14:15 God allows His children to be tempted, to test their courage. Many have no heart to resist a temptation. No sooner does Satan come with his solicitations—but they yield. They are like the coward, who as soon as the thief approaches, delivers his purse. He is a valorous Christian, who brandishes the sword against Satan, and will rather die than yield. The heroic spirit of a saint is never more seen than in a battlefield, when he is fighting with the red dragon—and by the power of faith puts the devil to flight! God allows His children to be tempted, that they may be kept from pride. Pride keeps grace low, so that it cannot thrive. As the head swells—the other parts of the body waste away. Just so, as pride swells—grace wastes away. God resists pride; and, that He may keep His children humble, He sometimes allows them to fall into temptation. "To keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud." The thorn in the flesh was to burst the bubble of pride! Better is the temptation which humbles me—than the duty which makes me proud. Rather than a Christian should be proud, God lets him fall into the devil's hands a while—that he may be cured of swelling pride. God allows His children to be tempted, that they may be fitter to comfort others who are in the same distress, and speak a word in due season to such as are weary. Paul was trained up in the fencing-school of temptation, and was able to acquaint others with Satan's wiles and stratagems, 2 Cor 2:11. A man who has ridden over a place where there are quicksands, is the fittest to guide others through that dangerous way. Just so, he who has been buffeted by Satan, and has felt the claws of the roaring lion—is the fittest man to deal with one who is tempted. God allows His children to be tempted, to make them long more for heaven, where they shall be out of gunshot, and freed from the hissing of the old serpent! Satan vexes and molests the saints. He lays his snares, and throws his fireballs! But this only makes the children of God long to be gone from hence, and pray that they had the wings of a dove, to fly away and be at rest! Heaven is the place of rest—no bullets of temptation fly there! The eagle that soars aloft in the air, and sits perching upon the tops of high trees—is not troubled with the stinging of serpents below. Just so, when believers have got into heaven above, they shall not be stung by the old serpent! The devil is cast out of the heavenly paradise. Heaven is compared to an exceeding high mountain. It is so high, that Satan's fiery darts cannot reach up to it! Death calls the saints off the battlefield, where the bullets of temptation fly thick—so that they may receive a victorious crown! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ To damn them with delights! "So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are very familiar with his evil schemes." 2 Corinthians 2:11 The serpent beguiled Eve with his subtlety; let us not be beguiled by his hellish snares and plots. Satan has a dexterity in subtle contrivances. He hurts more as a fox than a lion. His snares are worse than his darts. His error damns as well as His vice; poison kills as well as a pistol. Satan bewitches and ensnares men, by setting pleasing baits before them; as the riches, pleasures, and honors of the world. "All these things will I give you." Matthew 4:9. How many does he tempt with this golden apple! Pride, idleness, luxury—are the three worms which are bred by prosperity. "Those who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare." 1 Timothy 6:9. Satan kills with these silver darts! How many are ensnared by his luscious delights! The pleasures of the world are the great engine by which Satan batters down men's souls. His policy is to tickle them to death—to damn them with delights! The flesh would gladly be pleased, and Satan prevails by this temptation—he drowns them in the sweet waters of pleasure. Such as have abundance of the world, walk in the midst of golden snares! We had need watch our hearts in prosperity, and pray not to be led into temptation. We have as much need to be careful that we are not endangered by prosperity—as a man has to be careful at a feast where there are some poisoned dishes of food. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This lion of hell is ever hunting after his prey! "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8 Consider Satan's diligence in tempting. He neglects no time. He who would have us idle—is always busy himself. This lion of hell is ever hunting after his prey! He compasses sea and land to make a proselyte. He prowls around—he watches where he may throw in the fireball of temptation. He is a restless spirit; if we repulse him, he will not desist—but come again with a new temptation. Satan's diligence in tempting, is seen in the variety of temptations he uses. He does not confine himself to one kind of temptation—he has more plots than one. He has many tools to work with. If he finds one temptation does not prevail—he will utilize another.

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The Lord's Prayer

Thomas Watson

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