Text: Matthew 6:13 (NASB) — “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Saved But Still Stuck
A man loved God. He read his Bible and prayed daily, yet he kept falling into the same traps—anger, fear, addiction. One day he admitted,
“I’m saved … but I’m stuck.”
He had accepted a partial gospel — salvation without Spirit empowerment. He could see the Kingdom but could not enter its power.
Everything changed when he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The same temptations still came, but now he faced them with authority.
True freedom is not willpower; it is Spirit power.
What Jesus Meant by “Lead Us Not Into Temptation”
Temptation (peirasmos in Greek) means a test or solicitation to sin.
“Deliver” (rhuomai) means to rescue, to draw near.
When we pray this line of the Lord’s Prayer, we are saying,
“Father, draw me close whenever evil tries to pull me away.”
God does not tempt us (James 1:13). He guides us away from traps that could derail our purpose.
Seeing the Kingdom vs. Entering the Kingdom
In John 3:3–5 Jesus told Nicodemus:
- Born again = you can see the Kingdom.
- Born of water and Spirit = you can enter the Kingdom.
Many are in the family of God but not walking in Kingdom power.
Kenneth E. Hagin wrote,
“The new birth prepares you for Heaven, but the baptism in the Holy Spirit prepares you for life on earth.”
Without that power, we become unarmed soldiers—saved but defenseless in battle.
Jesus Our Model for Spirit-Led Living
Luke 4:1–2 says Jesus, “being filled with the Holy Ghost, was led into the wilderness to be tempted.”
He defeated Satan not by divinity but by Spirit dependence.
Afterward, “He returned in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14).
Mark 1:35 adds that He rose early to pray in solitude.
Power came from the secret place, not the spotlight.
Prayer before pressure, communion before confrontation.
The War Within
Galatians 5:16–17 teaches that the flesh wars against the Spirit.
Temptation starts when we are “drawn away by our own lusts” (James 1:14).
The answer is not stronger discipline but deeper surrender.
“The flesh fails, but the Spirit frees.”
Hagin observed, “The more you pray in tongues, the more conscious you become of God’s presence.”
That is walking in the Spirit—constant connection, not occasional emotion.
Wrestling the Enemy
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers.”
Wrestling is close combat—thought to thought.
Satan studies our habits and weaknesses, using our own flesh against us.
Do not believe you are invincible. The moment you stop depending on God, you become a target.
But through the Spirit, you fight from victory—not for it.
The Holy Ghost: Your Life Coach
John 14:16–17 — Jesus promised another Helper, the Spirit of Truth.
He did not abandon us; He gave us the Counselor, Comforter, and Teacher.
Jeremiah 29:11 — “I know the plans I have for you.”
Your Creator already designed your path. The Holy Spirit is the only legitimate life coach because He comes from your Manufacturer.
Why We Fall
Paul wrote in Romans 7:21–24, “When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.”
Even the apostle felt the tug of temptation.
But in 1 Corinthians 9:27 he adds, “I discipline my body and make it my slave.”
That discipline comes through the Spirit of God.
The battle is real, but so is deliverance. Without the Spirit you wrestle blind; with Him you wrestle from victory.
The Partial Gospel vs. the Full Gospel
A partial gospel offers forgiveness without empowerment—salvation without Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:5 warns against “having a form of godliness but denying the power.”
Charles Spurgeon said, > “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are ships without wind.”
The Spirit does not make you emotional; He makes you effective.
Practical Steps to Walk in the Spirit
- Daily Surrender – Begin each morning in prayer.
- Feed on the Word – The Word is Spirit fuel.
- Pray in the Spirit – It strengthens your inner man (1 Cor. 14:4).
- Obey Quickly – Delayed obedience dulls discernment.
- Stay Connected – Spirit-led believers thrive in fellowship.
C.S. Lewis wrote, > “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day, as if nothing had yet been done.”
Deliverance Is Dominion
Deliverance isn’t escape; it’s authority.
1 John 4:4 — “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”
John 16:33 — “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
The same Spirit that raised Jesus dwells in you.
Walk in that power. Walk in that victory.
A Call to Surrender
When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost, people asked, “What shall we do?”
He answered in Acts 2:38 — “Repent … and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
If you believe but haven’t surrendered, this is your moment.
Pray:
“Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. I surrender my will and weakness. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Lead me and deliver me from evil. Let Your Kingdom, power, and glory be revealed in me. Amen.”
Every victory begins with surrender.
Stay filled. Stay led. Stay walking in the Spirit.
Watch the Full Message
Key Scriptures
Matthew 6:13 | John 3:3–5 | Luke 4:1–14 | Galatians 5:16–17 | Ephesians 6:12 | Romans 7:21–24 | Romans 8:13–14 | Acts 2:37–38 | John 16:33