Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Spiritual Warfare – Matthew 26:41 – Watch And Pray – Growing As Disciples

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

Watch And Pray

How are you watching? How are you praying? How am I watching and praying about what? How are you watching and praying so you will not fall into temptation? That is a good question. I’m not sure that I am watching and praying so I will not fall into temptation. Is that really necessary? Would I ask you to do something that is not necessary? No, you would not. Let me ask you a few questions. Go ahead, I’m listening. How often has a tempting situation snuck up on you? How often has a tempting situation taken you surprise? How difficult has it been for you to resist a temptation when you have been in the midst of it? How much easier has it been for you to resist a temptation that you avoided before it reached you? I can avoid temptations before they reach me? Yes, you can. You don’t need to allow yourself to enter into tempting circumstances. You can decide to not allow yourself to be placed in the middle of them. But, for that to be possible one thing is required. What’s that? You must be watching. You know when, where, why and how you are most likely to be tempted. You know people, places and circumstances that will likely present powerful temptations to you. Yes, I do. Watch and avoid them. Watch and run from them. Will you do that? Yes, I will. That will be very good.

Is that all I need to do to not fall into temptation? Is watching enough? That is a very good question. No, that is not all. Watching alone, is not enough to keep you from falling into temptation. What else is needed?  As you watch and avoid temptation, as you watch and run from temptation, you must enter into prayer to me. You will be leaving temptation and evil behind you as you run to me. You will be resisting evil by leaving it and submitting yourself in prayer to me. Watching and praying will both be needed if you want to avoid falling into temptation. Will you do both of these? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.  

Lord, I will keep my eyes open so I will not let tempting situations and circumstances sneak up on me. As I’m watching I will also be praying so I will have all I need from you to be able stand when temptation does try to attack me. Amen

For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:

Spiritual Warfare – Matthew 26-41 – Watch And Pray – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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