John 17:15- I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
In the greatest public prayer ever our Lord unselfishly prayed for the protection of the believers throughout the generations to come. Jesus desired that God would keep us from the evil one, satan. Although it reads “evil,” in the King James Version, and not “evil one,” our Lord speaks of the character and essence of evil. This can only be the enemy, the creator of evil. Many of the other versions have made the correction. Yet the essence of what is being said is still obvious: God is able to keep us from the purser who seeks to destroy our souls, and bring salvation courtesy of Jesus Christ (John 10:10)! We do not need to vacate the world to walk in victory. Through the power of the Holy Spirit we can defeat the flesh, satan, and the world.
Jesus knew that the world would grow increasingly unstable as the end of time drew near. He was fully aware of the enemy’s intention to do whatever possible to hinder us from living a victorious life. The habits, bad ethics, or addictions you have been battling are ready to be thrown in the blood. Jesus prayed and died that you and I might be emancipated from the drudgery of serving hindrances. Our God prayed for us! He alone took our sins to the cross, and paid the price for us to be free. Although we cannot escape this world until our journey is finished, thank God for His assurance of protection while in a strange place.