Monday October 10, 2023
Luke 22:46 (NLT) - “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”
In the experience of Jesus, the devil is described as the tempter. In Matthew 4, we see a record of three temptations that he brought so Jesus could compromise His standing on God’s Word and in all the instances, Jesus referred to what was written in scriptures. He was not going to give in to the devil and break scriptures. This was the key to His victory over those temptations - knowing what was written and maintaining an uncompromising stand on God’s Word.
The goal of every temptation the devil brings your way is to make you compromise your stand on God’s Word. For instance, he may tempt a married man to lust after a female co-worker with the ultimate aim of making him fall into the sin of adultery. He deceived Eve by making her eat the fruit they were commanded not to eat (Genesis 3). He is a tempter and to withstand his temptations, the strength to stand your ground on the Word is of utmost importance. The scriptures say; “If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.”
So, while temptations are not sin in themselves, giving in to temptation is what makes one sin. Jesus, in our anchor scripture told His disciples what they should do to ensure they do not give in to temptation. He emphasised prayer. Matthew’s account of our anchor scripture says this; “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41. The disciples were sleeping and would not stay awake. Jesus’ arrest was imminent and would impact their confidence but they were not praying.
Prayer therefore is a strengthener. It strengthens a man’s spirit, his resolve or his capacity to say No to temptation. Therefore, if you are not given to prayer, your ability to stand uncompromisingly on the Word will be weak. Hence why many can make resolutions, promises, make decisions to change their habits but they find themselves unable to keep to what they have said. The “flesh” is indeed weak. Therefore, let prayer be a lifestyle; “…men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).
Prayer: Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. I receive help from the Spirit to be devoted and committed to prayer more than ever before. As I pray, my inner man is strengthened to prevail against any temptation in Jesus’ Name. Amen
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