A vexing vanity!

(Thomas Watson, "The Lord's Prayer")

"Deliver us from evil." Matthew 6:13

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.

The world is a flattering enemy. Whom it kisses—it betrays;
it is a silken halter. The pleasures of the world, like opium,
cast men into the sleep of carnal security. Lysimachus sold
his crown for a cup of water. Just so, many part with heaven
—for the world. They are enslaved with the world's golden
fetters! The world bewitched Demas. 2 Timothy 4:10. One
of Christ's own apostles was caught with a silver bait. It is
hard to drink the wine of prosperity—and not be giddy. The
world, through our innate corruption, is evil, as it is a snare.

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!

It is an evil world, as it is a VEXING world. It is full of
trouble. "In this world you will have trouble." John 16:33.

Basil was of opinion that before the fall—the rose grew
without prickles; but now every sweet flower of our life
has its thorns! There are many things which cause trouble.
Some are troubled that they have no children, others that
they have children. The world is a vexing vanity! If a
man is poor—he is despised by the rich; if he is rich—he
is envied by the poor. If we do not find an ensnaring
world, we shall find it an afflicting world; it has more
in it to trouble us than tempt us.

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!"