Defeating Temptation

SCRIPTURE: Matt. 26:41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

OBSERVATION: What will help us to resist temptation? Here Jesus suggests two important things; keep watch and pray. Our flesh is weak. It is vulnerable to temptation. So, if we are going to resist sin we have to be on the watch for its appearance. It can sneak up on you. We may not even realize that we are about to be tempted and then, suddenly, there it is--the dessert in the refrigerator that we shouldn't eat (and we didn't expect!), the erotic web page that pops up unexpectedly, the relationship that takes a sudden and unexpectedly immoral turn. We have to be constantly on watch--looking for the schemes of Satan to trip us up. We need to be aware of the warning signals that the Holy Spirit will give us, if we are listening for them. We need to be aware of our own souls and those times when we are especially vulnerable. We can be sure that Satan's hoards know when those times are.

What do we do in those times of unexpected temptation? Pray!! Instead of simply trying to push forward and ignore the temptation, stop the process and pray. Nothing kills the temptation cycle like spending some time in prayer and worship. In God's presence we find hope and strength to stand.

APPLICATION/PRAYER: It is the unexpected temptations that are hardest for me. I need to react more quickly by resorting to prayer at the first hint of a problem. I must never forget that my flesh will always be weak and erect barriers around my soul that will help me to stand strong against temptation.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for these words of warning. Please let me know when temptation is coming and keep my head in the game--help me be aware at the very beginning before cycle even starts. I need your grace and help.