One of the most sobering requests cited by Jesus in what has been called the “Lord’s Prayer,” is a sobering request of God, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” In no uncertain terms, Jesus instructs those who were following him to include in their prayer requests to God, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
The word “evil” conjures up various mental images and emotional reactions. In every manifestation, the term affirms a negative impact on whatever and whoever is being considered. There is no positive aspect about that word, nor any manner in which, nor by which, it is manifested or expressed.
Each of the Hebrew and Greek terms that translate “evil” are referenced more than 645 times in the Bible. Each of those terms indicate some type of nature, behavior and/or action that is not in harmony with a given previously established standard. One reference is to one of the Kings of Israel being called “Evil-Merodach” – the son of Nebuchadnezzar II.
And since these words are incorporated as part of the word of God, then that “standard” must originate from God and his nature. The words for “evil” have their “genesis” with God, and both are cited in the episode of the Garden of Eden.
Evil was not part of the creation process. God never said, “Let there be evil!” Yet, evil exists. Evil exists and persists characteristically as satanic actions and operation of Satan – the eternal adversary of God.
Since the dawn of time, any and everything that is contradictory and adverse to the will, word and way of God is evil. Throughout history men have initiated, promoted and implemented innumerable acts of evil – to themselves and to others. Characteristic of such behavior is the tendency to either deny such actions and/or to promote actions of evil.
The episodes of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden, murder, the Great Flood, the Tower of Babel, wars, slavery, idolatry – in whatever form or manifestation, evil is a conscious resist to, and/or rebellion of God’s will, word and way.
Fast forward to today. It has been purported that a certain national leader has proffered the idea of “legally” prohibiting himself, his actions and even those of his family from being charged and punished for – thus being “exempted” from – whatever “illegal” actions they may have ever committed in their personal and business actions.
First of all, the idea of seeking exoneration from wrongdoing is an admission of wrongdoing. To consciously and intentionally commit and violated known laws is unconscionable. The request is in itself is an epitome of evil. Whether of oneself and/or for others who have also thought, promoted and/or acted in any manner contrary to and contradictory to the laws of the nation. It is also an evil action contradictory to divine principles of in the sight of God and of righteousness.
Even Satan is not entitled to exoneration of his ungodly evil deeds and actions. On what grounds then should, can, a human perpetrator of evil deeds be exonerated from his own evil deeds?
God, by divine nature, cannot nor does not condone nor exonerate evil. Knowledge nor remembrance of, nor even no awareness of evil thoughts and actions do not preclude the facts of evil. To seek human exoneration of evil done against another and/or others from other evildoers is a fallacious concept and possibility. Human exoneration does not preclude nor eliminate divine retribution. The truth of God’s word will always prevail over every element and expression of evil.
This fact reaffirms Jesus’ admonition for all of us to not be “led into temptation.” The principles of evil are intently focused on “tempting” self-focused persons to drift, if not surge, intensely toward the principles and fallacious “goals” of all that is evil.
Temptation is an evil product of satanic origin. That Garden of Eden challenge to disobey God’s word is evil personified. It always seeks to lead one to disobey God’s word and turn eternal truth into a lie.
The adversary of God has and will continually tempt – seek to turn mankind away from the word, will and way of God. Not only is mankind tempted to do evil, he also is deceived in thinking that he can escape the consequences and penalties of doing such.
Cover it up, deny its existence all you may, evil separates mankind from the truth of God. And no man – not even Satan – can prevent nor hide the truth, nor of evil.
But mankind can be delivered from evil by the truth. Deliverance from evil begins with the admission and confession of self-perpetrated evil thoughts and actions.
1 John 1:9 clearly affirms: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Confession – not absolution – provides the “erasure” of sins. Only forgiveness by God results in the erasure of the penalty for sins. But “deliverance” from previous and future sins results from a person’s heart and mind being converted from evil.
One must seek divine deliverance from all sinful thoughts, actions, and deeds. Human absolution can never equate to, nor supersede, divine deliverance.
Sooner or later, the truth of all deeds will be revealed. And deliverance will only come through the truth of God, not by self-focused absolutions of man.
Pastor Samuel W. Hale, Jr. is the former pastor of Zion Missionary Baptist Church and president of J.L. Powell Mission Ministries.
This article appears in August 13-19, 2026.
