Temptation is an inevitable fact of life. Just as Jesus was tempted, so too we will face temptation. We do not need to bemoan our human frailties since Jesus has provided a capable strategy for battling temptation. This was the guidance He gave to His disciples in their hour of testing:

Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)

If we are to stand strong against temptation, we must implement the present tense imperatives of this verse. The present tense denotes that we are to continue to put these commands into practice.

The context of this verse is significant. Jesus and His disciples had finished their Passover meal and He had warned them of the danger of falling away as He quoted the prophet Zechariah (Matthew 26:31). Although the disciples professed their loyalty to Jesus, they had no idea of the events that would soon transpire. This is an important lesson for us – our lack of understanding can give us an over inflated estimation of our abilities.

We must be on the alert for we face a world that is antagonistic toward God, our own fleshly desires, and Satan who is the enemy of our souls. Our dependence must be upon God:

Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Therefore, we must stay alert. The command, keep watching, is a warning not to be remiss, but to give strict attention to a matter so that one is not overcome by a harmful calamity. This is the word that described the need to pay careful attention so one would not slip and fall on slippery rocks when crossing a river.

The command to keep praying is also in the present tense. Jesus teaches us to take a proactive stance against temptation. We are not to wait until we are facing temptation, but we are to keep watching and praying before the temptation comes!

The word temptation conveys the idea of a test, trial, or temptation. In the New Testament, the word flesh has a wide range of meanings and it often denotes our fallen humanity that is opposed to God. We may think that we can overcome the desires of our flesh in our own strength, but we must walk by the Spirit:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Martin Luther revealed the true source of victory:

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He
Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same
And He must win the battle

Our greatest failure may be our failure to watch and pray in God’s strength.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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