Scripture Reading: John 17:10-19
Keep Them From the Evil One
Intro.
1. Jesus prayed for His disciples before He left them, Jno 17:6-9.
2. Jesus expressed His concern for their protection from Satan:
a. Apostles had kept God’s word given to them by Jesus, 17:6.
b. Jesus prayed the Father would “keep” them “through His name”, 17:11; that He would guard them by His power – So they would be united.
c. Jesus had guarded them, 17:12.
d. Jesus prayed they would have His joy in them in spite of the world’s hatred of them, 17:13-14.
e. Kept from the evil one by God as we are sanctified by truth, 17:15-17, 18-19.
3. God protects us from the evil one like parents protect their children.
I. TEMPTATIONS ABOUND, 1 Cor 10:13 (Jas 1:14-16).
A. The Apostles as an Example.
1. Note: Jesus did not pray that there be no temptations: They are a fact of life for creatures with free will. He prayed they be guarded from Satan in the midst of temptations.
2. Temptation of division, Jno 17:11. Cf. at the Passover meal, Lk 22:24-27, so Jesus washed their feet, Jno 13:4-5.
3. Temptation of the world, Jno 17:14 (15:18-20). Cf. the temptation to conform to the world to avoid persecution.
B. Cf. Young People, 2 Tim 2:22.
1. Temptations of worldly lusts, 1 Jno 2:15-17.
2. Temptations of youthful arrogance, Titus 2:6-8. “People wrapped up in themselves make very small packages.” (Jessica Kennedy)
3. Temptation to stop listening to parents, Prov 19:26-27 (13:1)
4. Temptation to forget God, Eccl 12:1.
C. Cf. Older People.
1. Temptation of arrogance, Titus 2:2. “The arrogance of age must submit to be taught by youth.” Edmund Burke
2. Temptation of cynicism, Eccl 12:1. What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” (Oscar Wilde)
3. Temptation of negligent complacency, Gal 6:9; Heb 6:11.
II. KEEP THEM FROM THE EVIL ONE, Jno 17:15.
A. Lead Us not into Temptation, Matt 6:13.
1. Not in the sense of never being tempted, else it denies God’s word that says we have common temptations (1 Cor 10:13).
2. Protection and deliverance, Jno 17:15; 2 Pet 2:9.
a. Psa 141:4: Bless us with a heart not inclined to evil.
b. Psa 34:15-19: Deliverance from trouble for righteous.
B. How does God Deliver Us from the Evil One?
1. By the power of His word, Jno 17:8, 11, 14-17. Use it.
2. By the power of unity, Jno 17:11. cf. Eccl 4:9-10
3. By the power of purity, Jno 17:17. cf. Jas 4:8
4. By the power of faith, Jno 17:8, 20. cf. Eph 6:16
5. By the power to flee, 2 Tim 2:19, 22. Use free will.
III. THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT TEMPTATION AND SIN.
A. Temptation is Real and Sin is Deadly, Jas 1:14-16.
B. God Knows Us Better than We Know Ourselves.
1. Prideful arrogance minimizes temptation and sin, 1 Cor 10:12.
2. Peter thought he knew himself, Lk 22:31-34.
C. God Doesn’t Give Up On Us When We Sin, Lk 22:32 (Jno 21:15-19).
1. The Lord seeks the lost to save them, Lk 15:1-7.
2. You are delivered from sin when you repent, Acts 8:18-22.
D. God Will Forgive You of Every Sin when You Repent.
1. No sin goes unforgiven when we repent, 1 Tim 1:15-16.
2. Hope and joy of salvation – not the despair of regret, doubt and faithlessness, Jno 17:13 (15:11); Psa 51:12.
3. The answer when we sin is not to “throw in the towel” but to accept the Lord’s protection against temptation!
Conclusion
1. God protects us in the time of temptation, Eph 6:10-11.
2. If you have yielded to temptation and sinned, return to God in full repentance and He will save you and renew in you the joy of your salvation.