Description
Resisting Temptation: A Spiritual Guide from Jesus
This meditation focuses on the teachings of Jesus from Matthew 26:41… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
Today let’s meditate on the words of the wisest man who ever lived. I mean Jesus, of course. Matthew 26, verse 41. Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Now Jesus said this to his disciples when he’s in the garden of Gethsemane and he’s getting ready to go to the cross, and he’s asking them to pray with him rather than falling asleep whilst he’s speaking to his Father. So there’s a specific context here, but there’s such wisdom in this verse.
How easy is it for us to fall into temptation? The moment we take our eyes off God, the moment we take our eyes off the things that Jesus showed and taught us, the moment we stop following him, we can wander off the path.
You know, like Peter, when he stepped out of the boat onto the water in the waves, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he could walk on the water with him. But as soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and looked down at the water, looked down at his troubles, he started to sink.
And Jesus says, So this is what you need to do, my friends. Watch and pray. This is our antidote to all temptation. Are you being attracted by vile images, by pornography, by violence, by lies? Watch and pray.
Our Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have given us an excellent example: Jesus, who was able to withstand appalling temptation when he was at his weakest in the wilderness.
He has shown us the way to continue to follow you without stumbling: by watching and praying. Please help us to remember this. Lord, I thank you that you know that our flesh is weak, but that you have given us everything we need in order to withstand temptation, in order to remain faithful to you. So we all call out together, Lord, please help us. And thank you that you do. Amen.
