"Deliver us from Evil," by Thomas Watson (1660)
In this petition, we pray to be delivered from the evil world. "He
died for our sins, just as God our Father planned---in order to rescue
us from this evil world in which we live." Galatians 1:4
It is an evil world, as it is a DEFILING world. The opinions and
examples of the world are defiling. How easily are we hurried to sin,
when we have the tide of natural corruption, and the wind
of example to carry us! "You shall not follow a multitude to do evil."
Exodus 23:2. Bad examples are contagious. "They mingled among the
pagans---and adopted their evil customs." Psalm 106:35
Living in the world, is like traveling on a dirty road. It requires a
high degree of grace to keep ourselves "unspotted by the world." James
1:27.
It is an evil world, as it is an ENSNARING world. The world
is full of snares. Company is a snare; recreation is a snare; riches
are golden snares. The apostle John speaks of the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life." 1 John 2:16. The lust
of the flesh is beauty; the lust of the eye is money; the pride of life
is honor. These are the natural man's trinity.
It is an evil world, as it is a DEADENING world. It dulls and deadens the affections to heavenly objects. Earthly things
choke the seed of the Word. A man entangled in the world is so taken up with secular concerns, that he can no more
mind the things above---than an elephant can fly in the air!
And even such as have grace in them---when their affections are beslimed with earth, they find themselves much
indisposed to meditation and prayer; it is like swimming with a heavy stone around the neck!
It is an evil world, as it is a DECEITFUL world. The world makes us believe it will satisfy our desires---but it only increases them!
The world is a sea, where we are tossed upon the surging waves of sorrow, and often in danger of shipwreck!
The world is a wilderness, full of fiery serpents!
What great need then, have we to pray, "Lord, deliver us from being hurt by this evil world!"
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