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                           June 7, 2026, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

                 Reflection on the Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation.” (2)

We continue our reflection on the petition: “Lead us not into temptation”. Last week, we reflected on the meaning of the word, “temptation” and distinction between “trials, test and temptation”. Now, let us consider three major sources of temptations. This is necessary in order to identify the true origin of temptation and to overcome them by the grace of God. 

First, the devil is explicitly called “the tempter” (Matt 4:3), for he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden (Gen 3:1). The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matt 4:1). Jesus clearly teaches that the devil is the murderer from the beginning and the father of lies (John 8:44). If the devil tempted Jesus, the Son of God, then he certainly has the power to tempt us. Like Jesus, St. Peter also warns Christians to remain vigilant, saying: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1Pt 5:8). Though the devil is the primary cause of temptation, not all temptations directly come from him. He has other agents that cause temptations.  

Second, temptation arises from within our own fallen human nature and personal desires. St. James says, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it is conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death” (James 1:14–15). St. John the Apostle identifies three kinds of disordered desires: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These do not come from the Father but from the world (1 John 2:16). St. Paul likewise teaches that when people persist in following the disordered passions of their hearts, they fall into deeper sin (Romans 1:24). So, one must identify one’s habitual sins which are difficult to overcome by one’s own efforts. So, frequent confession and certain penances must be made to avoid such sins.  

Third, Sacred Scripture also points to “the world” as a source of temptation. Although the world and all that is in it were created by God, the fallen world—separated from God, shaped by secular ideologies, and marked by corrupt systems—can become a source of temptation, spiritual decay, and sin. At times, even other people can become occasions of sin. Thus, Jesus says in Matthew 18:7: “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes!” We, Christians are called not only to overcome our own temptations, but also to never become the cause of temptation to others.  

Therefore, the petition “lead us not into temptation” should be understood more deeply. Some translate it as “let us not fall into temptation.” God is never the cause of temptation, which is the work of the devil. However, God permits us to be tempted—by the devil, by our own desires, and by the world—for our spiritual growth and benefit. Let us pray earnestly and ask God to keep us from the powers of evil. In our next reflection, let us consider the spiritual fruits that can arise from temptations and trials.         — Fr. Jesu