WHY PRAY: "Lead us not into temptation"? - Clayton D Steep - April 1981

Clayton D Steep

Does God lead humans into temptation? If not, why pray that God won't? This question has perplexed many, including theologians. In James 1:13 we read: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." But in Genesis 22:1 we also read, "And it came to pass... that God did tempt Abraham…" Here is certainly an apparent contradiction! Does God ever tempt one to do evil? If not, why pray, "Lead us not into temptation"? And what about the verse that says, "...count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations"? (James 1:2). How are these apparently contradictory scriptures to be understood? - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library