Have you noticed how religion tends to make things more complicated and difficult? As a matter of fact, religion tends to enslave, rather than liberate people.

Jesus Christ – during His first advent – announced freedom from the tyranny of religion.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ~ Matthew 11:28-30

In other words, I’ve come to make your life easier and more pleasurable!

So, if you truly are a follower of Jesus Christ, you should be walking in ease and rest.

An advice from my dad

Let me introduce you to a very simple but powerful prayer that will release God’s help in your affairs.

Several years ago, my dad showed me a powerful secret that conditioned my walk with God. He told me that it is possible not to have temptations; that God can drive temptations away from you so you don’t face them.  He then taught me to always ask God to drive temptation away from me.

Believe me when I say that God has answered that prayer more than I could have dared to imagine then.

Through the years since I began to follow that advice, I have been favored by not having to face a lot of the temptations that cripple destinies.

One of the most powerful favours you can enjoy is to never face temptations.

Read this prayer from a very wise man:

“Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” ~ Proverbs 30:7-9

That is, Lord, if it will sink me, don’t send it; in fact, sink or not, drive it far from me. Simple!

Its a prayer of wise men.

No temptation, no sin

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin." ~ Hebrews 4:15

Jesus Christ faced all the temptations possible to man, and trust me, He knows you don’t need them!

So He taught us to pray:

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ‘" ~ Matthew 6:13

My dad didn’t quote the above scripture when he taught me to ask God to drive temptation far from me; it was rather borne out of His own personal experience with God. Nevertheless, there’s no doubting the fact that he was inspired by that line in the Lord’s Prayer.

Just think about it: if you are not tempted, how can you sin? You see, no temptation, no sin. Its as simple as that.

A lot of us get into trouble because of spiritual pride and arrogance – what I fondly refer to as ‘forming macho’ before God.

What’s the point inviting temptation when it can be avoided? Or, are you out of your mind?

Oh Lord, lead me not into temptation. Deliver me from all evil.

Jesus Christ is my Righteousness and my Victory 

Jesus resounding victory over temptation and sin is enough for me. I don’t want to experiment with my life.

And the most exciting aspect of His victory is that He turned over the prize – righteousness, and peace with God – over to me!

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

And all I have to do to enjoy this prize is simply to humbly accept Him and believe in Him daily.

My dear, Jesus is my righteousness and victory. I have no interest in trying to establish my own righteousness.

So, Lord, lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from all evil.

Pray this prayer right away:

Heavenly Father, I worship you this morning. I submit my entire being to You.

I acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ over my life today. I embrace His gift of His righteousness as mine.

I pray today, Oh Lord, that You drive temptations away from me, and keep me from all evil.

In Jesus Name.