Lately, I have been seeing a number of prominent individuals falling prey to their weaknesses, mostly in the area of sexual sins or unethical deeds. Politicians, preachers, athletes, movie stars, you name it. The fact is that all of us have weaknesses. That’s why we must pray for strength. “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation,” Jesus instructed His disciples (Matthew 26:41). “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
In the abovementioned verse, Jesus reveals that prayer is the means by which we can endure temptations and not give in to our weaknesses. But how much do we believe that? When we acknowledge a personal weakness, do we regard prayer as a vital part of our strategy to overcome in the hour of temptation? And when we are faced with that set of circumstances that always gets the best of us, do we really believe that because we have prayed that it will make the difference this time?
The point is that it’s not enough for us to pray. We must believe in our heart that prayer makes the difference. For it is when we mix our prayer with faith that we experience God’s miracle-working power. We must be of the conviction that with God on our side, we can overcome any personal challenge.
I am convinced that one of the main reasons we see as much moral failure among ministers and Christians is because of a deficiency in a vibrant prayer life. As we read the Bible, we see that on several occasions Jesus prayed for hours or even all night long. This is one of reasons that though He ministered as a human being on earth, He lived everyday of His public life victoriously.
I thank God that I am a Christian and that He has changed me on the inside, but I am still clothed in a fleshly body. That’s where my problem lies. Human, I am subject to the temptations of my flesh. I would be lying against the truth to say otherwise. So would you. Remember that denial does not negate reality.
That’s why we must tap into the power of prayer. It’s God’s will that we NEVER bow down to our flesh when we are tempted to do the wrong thing. Accordingly, He will give us whatever we need in order to overcome the temptations of our flesh, if we pray for strength and believe.
Copyright © 2012 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
4 comments:
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41
Amen. Prayer is the means God has given us for accessing His help and strengh during our times of weakness and temptation.
the temptation is a very strong and cruel thing... i found my way out of it - it's training your body. It helps to clear your mind. Great post, thank you, Frank!
Lorraine.
I do agree that anything that helps to clear the mind is a good thing, because we must always be sober in our mind, if we are to make the best choices. However, prayer is means through which we appropriate the help of God. As you said, temptation is a very strong and cruel thing. Oftentimes, it's greater than what we can handle alone, and we need God to help us.
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