Lead us not into temptation! Satan's Box Canyon.

Mat 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Matthew tells us that Jesus was led by God to this lonely place for the purpose of being tempted of the devil. Mark relates how He was driven by the Spirit into the wilderness for this temptation. (1:12) Luke says that He was full of the Holy Ghost when He went to enter into temptation. (4:1,2)

Why is it that the Savior was led of the Spirit into the enemy's lair for the purpose of temptation?

This was a must because we require a High Priest who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, One who was tempted in all three areas in which we are tempted, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Our great High Priest endured and triumphed over that temptation, passing His test. Heb. 4:15

Had Jesus not endured this temptation and won the victory, He could not relate to what we go through on a regular basis and therefore, pray for us as we are tempted and plea to the Father on our behalf when we fall to temptation.

Two short chapters later (6:13) He is modeling a prayer for His followers in which He instructs us to ask that the Lord would lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Why was He led into temptation, but He tells us to pray that we not be led into temptation? Because He endured temptation and emerged victorious so that we would be more than conquerors. That is, His victory over sin, the world, the flesh and the devil is sufficient for us,
we have the victory in Him. There is no need for us to face Satan down, he is already the loser, thanks to Jesus. What purpose is there in refighting battles that have already been won? There is only the possibility of unnecessary casualty.

We need to reckon ourselves to be dead to the lust of the flesh, the eyes and the pride of life. Entering into temptation merely gives rise to the possibility of reviving that which is crucified unto Him.

So, do pray that you will not be led into temptation this day, but would be delivered from evil. Satan has traps set for you where he can easily fire his darts at you. But the Spirit has a path for you that will circumvent his "box canyons" where you would be an easy target.