Deliver me from me

Are you familiar with a part of the Bible that's typically called, The Lord's Prayer?

Part of that teaching by the Lord Jesus Christ Matthew 6:7-12 says in that model prayer to God the Father, "Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13

Don't we often think that evil thoughts, temptations, and attacks come from outside of ourselves?

Unfortunately for many of us, if we want to face the truth of Scripture, we have to realize that these undesirables usually come from within us!

Oh, no.

This is the reason for this post's title: Deliver me from me.

Jesus said that these evil things come from within a person, from their spiritual heart --

For from within, out of the hearts of people, come the evil thoughts, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, acts of adultery, deeds of greed, wickedness, deceit, indecent behavior, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the person. Mark 7:21-23

Paul wrote, For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. 2 Corinthians 7:5

James wrote, No one is to say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. James 1:13-14

Peter said to a fellow Christian, "You have no part or share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart will be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of unrighteousness." Acts 8:21-23

Paul wrote that he rebuked Peter to his face because he was to be blamed. Galatians 2:11-12

The rest of the Jews joined him [Peter] in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. Galatians 2:13

Jesus communicated to a church leader and the members through a letter, So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything," and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Revelation 3:16-17

We get the idea, right?

There's stuff inside of us that we don't want if we want to be holy as He is holy. 1 Peter 1:14-16

Paul wrote, For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I do the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. Romans 7:19-20

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25

So, we can be delivered.

God the Father has delivered the believer from the power of darkness and translated them into the kingdom of His beloved Son Jesus. Colossians 1:13

And some more good news.

John wrote, My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

We can become different --

Transformed Romans 12:2 from glory to glory by the Spirit of God the Father. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Your thoughts?

R. Jason