37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
This passage of Scripture takes place in Gethsemane the night before Jesus was to be crucified. Jesus had taken three of His disciples - Peter, James and John - with Him to pray. Knowing what they would be faced with the following day, Jesus exhorts them to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation; adding, your spirit may be willing but your body lacks ability. Jesus tells us this in yet another way in the gospel of John:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 6:63 (NIV)
Jesus knows that our flesh is as frail as summers flowers. Flesh has not changed. It is just as frail today as it was in the disciples day. Therefore, as disciples of Christ today, He delivers to us this same message – watch and pray particularly in the areas of temptation and awaiting His return – remembering always that our spirits may be willing but our flesh is weak. In the area of temptation, Peter tells us:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)
Paul gives us additional information: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Eph 6:10-13 (NIV)
Jesus states the following to us in the area of His decisive return:42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matt 24:42-44 (NIV) 32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'" Mark 13:32-37 (NIV) 35 "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:35-40 (NIV)
What is our take away here? How can we manifest this in our own lives? How do we go about thwarting temptation with the realization of our weak flesh? How do we watch and be on guard awaiting His return? First, in the area of temptation, Scripture sheds more light in the following verse:28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Prov 25:28 (NIV)
A city was only as powerful as its walls. When a breach in the wall occurred, the city was vulnerable to the attack of the enemy. In much the same way, the wall around our lives is self-control. When there is a weakness in our wall, you can be assured that is where the attack from Satan will come – and he is a very good shot. As believers in Christ, we cannot be possessed by Satan but we can be oppressed (so oppressed sometimes that we may feel possessed!) We must constantly evaluate where our weaknesses lie and strengthen that breach. This is done in many ways. While not exhaustive, some of the ways I have found helpful in my own life regarding avoiding temptations are as follows:. Prayer – asking God for strength to break the bents and strengthen the wall.. Having a firm resolve – once we have set our minds upon our actions we have less chance of succumbing to temptation.. Hiding God’s word in our hearts – keeps us from falling – remember God’s word is Spirit and life. . Taking captive thoughts and making them obedient to Christ.. Keeping short accounts – when convicted by the Spirit repent quickly! (Repent meaning to turn). . Honestly evaluating our lives – asking Jesus to search our hearts for things that are not of Him. . Remembering our flesh is weak but His powerful Spirit does not lack ability – (to say the least!). . Avoiding places, people or things that can cause me to stumble or fall – we are no help to others (much less ourselves) if we succumb to temptation. I love the following verses from Hebrews regarding Jesus’ help for us in the area of temptation:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Heb 2:18 (NIV) 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:15-16 (NIV) It is not a sin to be tempted. It becomes sin when it is fleshed out. In the area of His return, Jesus continually tells us to watch, to be on guard, to be alert. FYI – Repetition in Scripture denotes importance! How do we go about doing this? I discovered a great answer in the Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible Lexical Aids. The word translated “watch” is the Greek word Gregoreuo meaning: “A mindfulness of threatening dangers which, with conscious earnestness and an alert mind, keeps one from all drowsiness and all slackening in the energy of faith and conduct. The Lord demands constant watching and preparation for the decisive day of His appearing.” Jesus exhorts us to be on guard for our own good. Just like He was telling Peter, James and John – “Watch and Pray” – perhaps they would not all have fled had they been obedient to His command. Perhaps Peter would not have disowned him three times and caused himself much grief if he had been obedient to His command. I wonder how much grief I have caused my own self by not being obedient to His command?