The false prophet ministers say, "See, even Jesus' disciples sinned, so no man can be perfect." But this was before the disciples received the baptism of the Holy Spirit in power at Pentecost, the baptism that burns up the chaff with unquenchable fire, the baptism of death to the selfish, Satanic, spirit in man. Of course, no disciple is perfect and sinless immediately. The Lord teaches us, commands us, and changes us, one step at a time. This prayer is for those being discipled. But when the disciple is perfect, he is like the Master. Luke 6:40. There is no sin in Him, whoever abides in Him does not sin, whoever is born of God does not sin. 1 John 3:5-10.
Any minister who denies perfection is only trying to preserve his job because if he admitted the scriptures that show perfection was necessary and achieved, then he would be under pressure to resign as a blind guide. They want to preserve their income; they want to preserve the status of their position. And yet the Bible they claim to believe, shows the single purpose of the ministry is to perfect the saints into the fullness and stature of Christ - to present every man perfect in Christ. Eph 4:11-13, Col 1:28.
2 Deliver us from evil. The evil this prayer references is the evil in a man's heart: his selfishness, pride, covetousness, profane thoughts and words, lusts, sexual immorality, anger, greed, lying, cheating, drunkenness, stealing, etc. Mark 7:21-23, Mat 15:18-19. Every man is addicted to something in this world: clothes, sex, music, sports, cars, drugs, alcohol, preaching, taste sensations, horror movies, gossip, social causes, political causes, collecting things, etc. Jesus is the savior, the deliverer, the redeemer - who delivers us from sin and evil in our hearts, that has defiled us. He leads us onto the inward cross of self-denial to crucify our lusts and affections, and then removes them to replace them with his Spirit. God, who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. Col 1:13
Jesus said, .. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man. Mark 7:21-23. Notice, until your heart has been cleansed, you are defiled - a ravenous beast that serves yourself, rather than others.
Jesus is eager to destroy sin and the works of evil in us - if we go to him.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested [in us], that he might destroy the works [sin] of the devil. 1 John 3:8
3 This is the commanded first priority of life, to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or, 'What shall we drink?' or, 'With what shall we be clothed?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need these. Further Jesus said: Do not labor for food that perishes, but for the food that endures to everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give to you; for God the Father has authorized and certified him with his seal. It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. Truly, truly, I say to you, He who believes [depends on, trusts, obeys] on me has everlasting life. I am that bread of life. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, Mat 4:4.
Jesus tells us how: it is not by reading the Bible, it is not by going to a building and listening to someone talk, it is not by asking God for what you want. You must go to him. You must wait on him - listen silently, with the humility of a sinner in need of his changing power - grace. Seek, listen, obey...seek, listen, obey...seek, listen, obey. You must listen, hear, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21. You must endure to the end, when Christ brings salvation. Seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deut 4:29.
Where is this Kingdom you are commanded to seek? Now when he was questioned by the Pharisees, as to when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with outward signs to be observed. Nor will they say, 'Look here!' or, 'Look over there!' For behold, the kingdom of God is within you and around you." Luke 17:20-21. And God is in you too: One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph 4:6. God .. is not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being, (Acts 17:27-28) - but we are not aware of his presence until we seek and find him, because we are in a lower physical dimension. And Christ is in you too: Christ in you, the hope of Glory. Col 1:27...Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 2 Cor 13:5.
"The Father is in you all, Christ is in you, and the Kingdom of Heaven is in you; there, in your hearts, is where you will find them all. Know him there searching your hearts, and find him there trying your minds and hearts; incline your ears, and give ear to him there, who will render to everyone of you according to your words and works whether they are good or evil, (George Fox)." BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. Psalm 46:10.
In Luke, Jesus stresses hearing and obeying: Whoever comes to me, and hears my sayings, and does [practices, obeys] them, I will show you whom he is like.
He is like a man who built a house, and dug deep, and laid the foundation securely built on a rock;
and when the flood arose, the torrent beat violently upon that house, but could not shake it because it was founded upon a rock.
But he who hears, and does not [practice my teachings], is like a man who built a house upon the earth without a foundation;
against which the torrent struck violently, and immediately it collapsed; and the ruin of that house was great. Luke 6:46-49
