Lead us not into temptation

There are differences between how the King James version of the Bible renders the Lord’s prayer and how the Joseph Smith translation renders it. 

KJV

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matt. 6:13, emphasis added)

JST

…And suffer us not to be led into temptation… (Matt 6:13)

If you’ve ever Googled Matt. 6:13, you’ll know that there are oodles of webpages written by people attempting to explain “And lead us not into temptation.”  It makes it seem like God may lead us into temptation and we pray to prevent Him from doing so.  We are right to be disturbed by this choice of words; it makes God out to be malicious and a companion of the devil. 

The JST shows us that actually God doesn’t lead us into temptation, but suffers us to go there because of our stubbornness and free will to choose.  So, we are to pray “suffer us not to be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil” when we have finally decided we want nothing more to do with temptation or sin of any kind, and we prefer to get the Lord’s help in resisting and escaping.

It has to be understood that if we pray that the Lord never more allow us to get into temptation, we have to be pretty dang determined ourselves to not allow it either.

This brings me to a question.  Does being led into temptation mean that we find the temptation enticing, or does it mean that we have already been enticed and we’re giving in?

I suppose that it would mean finding a sin enticing because if you can keep from finding a sin enticing, then that would certainly keep you safe from it.

I’ve had a few experiences when I was confronted with a temptation that seemed so dark and insidious that I felt I was in great danger of falling and I had to pray with all the energy I could muster in order to escape.  I can testify that I was saved from those temptations.  Now, if only I could remember to pray to escape the little everyday temptations too..

Have you had any experiences you can share when you’ve prayed to be saved from temptation?