“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41
The second part of this verse shows us our true nature without the saving power of Jesus inside of us. Our flesh is drawn to feels good now without thought of consequences of our actions. Doing what feels good to us in the moment to please the flesh will only make it harder to ignore it in the long run.
Have you every fed a stray cat? What happens once you feed the cat just one time? In my experience the cat keeps coming back and even seems to tell a few of his friends!
Our flesh is like that stray cat, keeping feeding it and instead of going away it will come back consistently and grow louder.
That is why it is so important to we are praying in the spirit to withstand these temptations.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:18
Praying in the spirit is our strongest defense against all of the temptations of this world. Whenever we feel tempted we can know that all of the power we need to withstand this temptation is already inside of us.
Despite how we feel in the moment we are never forced to sin, we always have a choice.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Be comforted dear friends that just as Satan has crafted “traps” to trick us, God has given us His strength to overcome them!
In Him,
Stephanie
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