Human Frailty and the Assaults of the Devil
In the sixth petition of the Lord’s Prayer, we pray for deliverance from temptation. The Catechism of St. Pius X defines “temptation” as “an incitement to sin that comes from the devil, or from the wicked, or from our own evil passions.” Hence, temptations may result from our own human frailty or from the assaults of demons. Concerning the frailty of our own human nature, the Roman Catechism presents the example of the Apostles, the chosen band of Our Lord, who succumbed to temptation brought about by their own weakness:
“The faithful will understand how very much they stand in need of this divine assistance, if they remember their own weakness and ignorance, if they recollect this saying of Christ the Lord: The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak [Matt. 26:41]; if they call to mind how grievous and destructive are the misfortunes of men brought on through the instigation of the devil, unless they be upheld and assisted by the right hand of the Most High. What more striking example can there be of human infirmity, than the holy band of the Apostles, who, though they had just before felt very courageous, at the first sight of danger, abandoned the Savior and fled.”
Similarly, temptations also come from the assaults of our own flesh because of the effects of original sin on human nature. In this context, the term ‘flesh’ does not only refer to man’s exterior senses, interior senses (memory and imagination) and passions (emotions), but also to man’s higher faculties: the mind and the will. Sin has disordered and weakened all of these faculties so that they each seek their good inordinately.
For example, when a good is pursued by the wrong means, at the wrong time, in the wrong quantity, or in improper circumstances, it becomes sinful. Our own self (flesh) is actually our greatest enemy because it is always with us. It can betray us in into mortal sin in one instant of lacking proper vigilance. While man lives on earth, he can never disassociate himself from his passions; and his self-will is always with him. This is why the Church teaches that the virtues of temperance, mortification, and penance are so necessary to advance in the spiritual life.
Yet, The Catechism of the Council of Trent does not refrain from also acknowledging demons as a source of temptation. While all temptations do not come from demons, some temptations undoubtedly come from their hellish suggestions, which they cunningly place in our imagination. The demons often stir up memories which tempt us. While not seeking to induce despair, the Church does not shy away from frequently admonishing us about both the audacity and multitude of evil spirits who seek our damnation.
This reality should lead us to greater reliance on the Holy Rosary, the St. Michael Prayer, daily prayer to our guardian angel, and the frequent and devout reception of the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist. The Catechism of St. Pius X echoes these sentiments when it counsels:
“To avoid temptation we should fly dangerous occasions, guard our senses, receive the sacraments frequently, and have recourse to the practice of prayer.”
Our Lord Will Not Leave Us Orphans
Temptations are part of human life because of original sin and the disorder caused by our personal sin and the sin of others. Even Our Lord Himself, Who is sinless in every way, was tempted in His human nature while dwelling among us during His 33 years of life on earth. (Our Lady was also tempted but She never succumbed and remained sinless from the moment of Her Immaculate Conception.) While temptations never cease to assault us, the Church teaches that prayer invariably protects man against temptations.
St. John Vianney likewise asserts that while temptations will always exist, they can be conquered by those who are serious about overcoming them:
- “We are all inclined to sin” due to weakness and pride: “We are idle, greedy, sensual, given to the pleasures of the flesh. We want to know everything, to learn everything, to see everything; we must watch over our mind, over our heart, and over our senses, for these are the gates by which the devil penetrates.”
- The devil “prowls round us incessantly; his only occupation in this world is to seek companions for himself. All our life he will lay snares for us, he will try to make us yield to temptations; we must, on our side, do all we can to defeat and resist him.”
- We can do nothing on our own, but we can do everything with the help of God. “Let us pray Him to deliver us from this enemy of our salvation, or to give strength to fight against him. With the Name of Jesus, we shall overthrow the demons; we shall put them to flight. With this Name, if they sometimes dare to attack us, our battles will be victories, and our victories will be crowns for Heaven, all brilliant with precious stones.”
The Catechism of St. Pius X further reminds us that giving in to temptation is a sin but experiencing temptation is not: “It is no sin to have temptations; but it is a sin to consent to them, or voluntarily to expose oneself to the danger of consenting to them.” There is no need to confess having been tempted if we do not sin as a result of being tempted.
We know that man must exercise his free will to cooperate with God’s grace. Anytime you feel tempted, you should pray. Choosing to pray in that moment is an exercise of your free will. God will in turn faithfully supply the necessary actual grace for you to overcome the temptation. If you pray, you will not fall into the temptation – because God’s grace supports you. Try it! You will see there is never an occasion when you pray and still fall prey to sin. We only fall to temptation and sin when we do not pray (or pray a little and then cease to pray).
“Lead Us Not Into Temptation” Explained
Since temptations come from external evil sources or from within, what do we pray for when we ask Almighty God to “lead us not into temptation”?
This petition from the Lord’s Prayer, as explained by the Roman Catechism, acknowledges that while temptations can arise from evil and are permitted by God, He never causes sin.
We are said to be led into temptation either by voluntarily putting ourselves in the near occasion of sin or by being allowed to face trials, which are sometimes a consequence of our sins. This petition does not seek complete exemption from temptation, as even Christ was tempted, but rather asks for God’s grace to resist and endure it.
Temptation is meant to serve a purpose in strengthening faith, humility, and perseverance, as seen in the trials of saints and biblical figures like David. God permits temptations so that we may grow in virtue, merit, and sanctity. When we cooperate with God’s grace in resisting temptation, we in turn merit more grace. Temptation acts like fire in the prophetic phrases referring to gold and silver tried by fire.[1] Temptations prove our love for God and enable that love to grow. Thus, any temptation we receive can actually lead to our greater good!
Ultimately, we ask God to protect us from falling into sin, to provide strength in our struggles, and to ensure satan’s defeat in our lives.
St. Augustine echoes these sentiments when he writes, “When we say: Lead us not into temptation, we are reminding ourselves to ask that His help may not depart from us; otherwise, we could be seduced and consent to some temptation, or despair and yield to it.” Hence, three primary dispositions which should accompany this prayer are distrust of self and confidence in God, remembrance of the victory of Christ and the saints, and watchfulness.
Conclusion
Rather than congratulating ourselves when temptation is overcome, the Roman Catechism reminds the faithful that all victory comes ultimately from God, highlighting again the importance we must place on praying (especially the Lord’s Prayer) every day, since victory only comes from God.
St. Paul wrote that “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself asketh for us with unspeakable groanings” (Rom. 8:26). While temptations will always be a part of earthly life, we have a responsibility to grow in virtue and persevere in the state of sanctifying grace, which we can do with the help of God. We must likewise resist the enemy’s temptations by having recourse to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
For a more thorough explanation of this and other petitions, see the book The Roman Catechism Explained for the Modern World.
ENDNOTE:
[1] Consider these passages from Scripture:
“The trial of your faith much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire” – 1 Peter 1:7.
“Thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us by fire, as silver is tried” – Psalm 65:10.
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold fire tried, that thou mayest be made rich” – Apocalypse 3:18.