Read Mark 14
"Watch and pray," our Lord tells Peter, "that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Oh, how true these words prove to be, not just to Peter, but to us as well. If we were to rise in the morning and plan out our entire day, of course we would plan to be Godly - to be loving, patient, kind, and so forth. We would certainly determine to show forth all the fruits of the Spirit. We would certainly not plan to fall into sin of any kind.
Yet, while the spirit is willing, our sinful flesh is weak. And so it is that in our human sin-fallen weakness we can make some poor choices - some intentionally, some inadvertently like the disciples who fell asleep.
So what fights against temptation? Jesus tells us to "Watch and Pray." To be watchful is to be mindful of that tricky devil. It is to know and identify temptation when it comes around. It is to know God's Word so that we would easily know right from wrong. It is to be ready in season and out of season. To pray - well, we know what that means. We realize that our salvation is because of Jesus' death and resurrection, and the benefits of those applied to us. Our salvation is nothing we have won for ourselves. And we cannot protect ourselves either. So we pray that God would watch over us, that he would provide a way out of temptation as he has promised (and seeing the way out is part of our watchfulness), and we pray that God would rescue us, strengthen us, and make us ready for the continual spiritual battle that awaits.
You know you. You know how you are weak. You can be sure that the Devil will attack these areas. Be on guard!
The Good News is that though we are like Jesus' disciples, Jesus continues on the cross anyway for us, to forgive us and wash away those sins. Jesus gives us his Spirit to live a new life. We are no longer slaves of the Devil, but now we have power to resist him, power to do better, power to live for God's glory. Because Jesus perfectly watched and prayed so he would fall into no sin, we now by his Spirit can do the same. Thanks be to God.
Ask Yourself:
What temptations regularly assault me? Do I pray about them?
Have I shared my struggles with another trusted Christian? Why might I do this?
How can I better say no to temptation today?
Pray:
Rise, my soul, to watch and pray, from thy sleep awaken;
Be not by the evil day unawares be taken.
For the foe, well we know, oft his harvest reapeth,
While the Christian sleepeth.
Watch against the devil’s snares lest asleep he find thee;
For indeed no pains he spares to deceive and blind thee.
Satan’s prey oft are they who secure are sleeping
And no watch are keeping.
But while watching, also pray to the Lord unceasing,
He will free thee, be thy Stay, strength and faith increasing.
O Lord, bless in distress and let nothing swerve me
From the will to serve Thee.
Study with me tomorrow,
Pastor Jon
Soli Deo Gloria!
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