"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."–Matthew 3:16
Does God tempt believer's to sin? No! James 1:13 tells us, "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." God is not the author of sin, but He is the Master of it. Although God does not tempt to evil, He does ordain custom-made trials and temptations to teach us our need of Him.
The Lord's people may not all go through the same deep waters of life, but all are liable to them. Some may be tempted through their most cherished possessions and acquaintances. Others, their most bitter enemies may afflict them. By His grace, God is able to cause our darkest dungeon to be blessed by His presence. At other times, He is able to make even the company of our dearest friends tasteless and insupportable. The believer's hope is that the Lord Jesus Christ ever lives to intercede for him. Christ's very presence in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father, as the risen, exalted, victorious Savior is reason enough for the believer to approach the throne of grace, and find grace to help in time of need, Heb. 15,16. The Lord Jesus died for the believer's offences and was raised for his/her justification, and therefore they look to Him alone in time of temptation.
The question is, "How much do we who are the objects of His grace, appreciate the justifying and sanctifying grace of God in Christ?" How easily are we lulled into self-satisfaction and presumption, rather than lean upon the one who has all power to keep us from the evil one? The influence of Satan and the flesh is often like the action of the wind on the sea. The sea may appear smooth, but instantly becomes unstable and swelling. We cannot rest on grace already received. We rest in His ongoing intercession for us, and we watch and pray according to His command, that He might preserve us from any form of temptation that would turn us away from looking to Him alone who is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Whether because of things sinful, or lawful, may we learn to pray "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..." (Proverbs 30:8).