How to Overcome Any Temptation

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” — Matthew 26:41

In Gethsemane, Jesus found His disciples asleep when they should have been awake. They loved him. They were sincere disciples. Their spirits were willing. They truly wanted to stand firm for Christ in the hour of temptation and testing. However, their flesh was weak. Can you relate? 

This biblical scene captures a tension every follower of Jesus knows well. We want to stand firm. We want to resist sin, stay faithful, and be courageous when it counts. But, we are naturally weak and vulnerable. Left to our own power, we don’t stand a chance. 

That’s why Jesus gave a clear command: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” To watch means to stay spiritually alert just like animals of prey watch out for lurking predators. It’s spiritual focus and dependence on God. Prayer is an expression of our dependence on God and our faith in Him. Prayer is how we continue to receive strength to resist temptation and walk in the Spirit. 

Jesus didn’t say, “Pray so you’ll never be tempted,” but rather, “Pray so you won’t enter into temptation.” Temptation will come. It’s unavoidable. Remember, temptation is not sin. But dependent prayer in the moment of temptation helps us obey God, not our flesh or other people. Prayer is how we access the strength of God to resist sin in the moment of temptation. Prayer is also how we prepare for the temptations that are coming. Prayer is both training for the moment of battle and one of the primary weapons of our warfare when temptation presses in on us. 

Prayer directs our hearts to God’s glory, aligns our hearts with God’s will, and gives us instant access to the strength we need to say “no” to sin. Prayerlessness is leaning on your own willpower, and willpower is no help at all against temptation. 

So, when you feel weary or tempted (whether from the outside or from your internal fleshly desires), don’t rely on yourself. Instead, watch and pray. There is a throne of grace that you can go to in your time of weakness and need (Heb. 4:16). Become the most frequent visitors to the throne of grace in prayer. Then, you will have power from heaven to say “no” to sin and “yes” to God. 

If you’re not alert in prayer, you must realize you’re already giving into temptation. Go to God when you’re weak and tempted. Don’t trust yourself to overcome temptation. Jesus your High Priest forever lives to intercede for you. You have full access to the throne of grace because of Christ and His blood. He loves you. He sympathizes with you. He was tempted as you are, yet without sin. So, watch and pray. 

In Christ, 

Chad Kettler

Lewisville Campus Pastor