Mark 14:38 (NKJV) 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Watch and pray. This is what Jesus instructed His disciples to do when He was heading off to pray by Himself. He was in a time of great duress and needed to get alone to spend time with the Father.
For many years I never really paid much attention to the truth behind that phrase, “watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation”. Until today.
As Pastor Ellie and I were out walking today, we were discussing some various Biblical topics and this verse came to mind. And God showed me that the words that Jesus spoke here are instrumental for all of us if we wish to understand the key to avoiding and overcoming temptation in our own lives.
It has been taught by so many, including us, that to be tempted is not a sin. And this is still true. Giving in to temptation is sinful, not the temptation itself.
But, there is a very important principle here that many of us miss. And if we can get a good grasp on it, it has the power and potential to change our lives drastically.
It’s this; understanding the secret to avoid being tempted!
Many times we become tempted because of choices we make, things we do. We tend to put ourselves in situations where temptation comes easily, and we find ourselves constantly fighting it off. This can be very tiring after a while.
So, why don’t we just learn how to avoid the temptations altogether, right?
How do we do that? What do we do in order to keep temptation away? Watch and pray.
As we learn to watch and pray, we will become acutely more aware of everything going on around us, especially in the spiritual realm. This will cause us to be far less likely to put ourselves in situations where we become tempted.
This is something that God has been teaching me to put into practice for several years now, but today He showed me how to put it into words so it can also help others.
We hope it will help you too.
Watch and pray!
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-315-0902
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