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I. FROM WHAT BELIEVERS SHALL BE KEPT.

1. Negatively; not —

(1)  An absolute freedom from all afflictions, which are either the consequences of sin or corrections of God (Psalm 89:28; Hebrews 12:6-10; 1 Corinthians 11:32).

(2)  All suffering for righteousness sake (John 15:19; John 16:33).

(3)  A full discharge from Satan's temptation (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 12:7).

2. Positively. They shall be kept —

(1)  From all damning error and delusion (Psalm 16:11; Psalm 17:4; 1 John 2:20; John 16:13).

(2)  From the tyranny of Satan (John 8:36).

(3)  From all temptations superior to their strength, or have more strength given them, answerable to their trials (1 Corinthians 10:13).

(4)  From sinking under the burden of affliction (Isaiah 43:1, 2).

(5)  From the power and reign of sin (Daniel 7:12).

(6)  From the curse and condemnation of the law (Romans 8:1).

(7)  From the slavish fear of death (1 Corinthians 15:55, &c.).

II. WHAT ASSURANCE THERE IS THAT BELIEVERS SHALL THUS BE KEPT FROM THE EVIL, THOUGH NOT TAKEN OUT OF THE WORLD. Note the following considerations: —

1. That of the Person praying; the beloved, in whom the Father is always well pleased, and who He always hears.

2. That of what He asks for, and on what ground. His request is for the preservation of His people, in order to their eternal happiness, which is most agreeable to the will of God, and the end for which He was sent by Him into the world (John 6:39).

3. That of Him to whom His request is directed, viz., the God who "spared not His own Son," &c.

4. That of the persons for whom He intercedes — His children and chosen, such as He has a special interest in and bears a peculiar love unto.

Application:

1. Hence learn the greatness and constancy of Christ's love to His people, and of His desire of their eternal blessedness with Him.

2. What a powerful argument should it be with all to come to Him unfeignedly. Who would live a day in the world without an interest in this prayer of His, of being kept from the evil?

3. It may greatly strengthen the faith of true Christians in their daily prayers for deliverance from evil.

4. How much is the world mistaken as to Christ's servants, as if they were the most miserable persons in it, when their Lord hath provided so fully for their safety and happiness.

5. How inexcusable must it be to forsake Christ and His service for fear of suffering. He that would save his life by running from the Lord of life takes the direct way to lose it.

6. Let this encourage us cheerfully to follow the Captain of our salvation whilst we live, and to commit our souls unto Him when we die.

(D. Wilcox.)

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KJV: I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

WEB: I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.