Temptations

Luke 22:46 “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you maynot enter into temptation.” This isn't the first time Jesus tells me to praythat I won't fall into temptation. In Matthew 6, in the Lord's prayer He tellsthe same thing. The difference is that there, the disciples were new tofollowing Jesus. Now they have been with Him three years. Right there with Him.They have now grown and seen miracles. They have seen His power working in themto heal and cast out demons. They are “mature” followers of Jesus. So, if theyneed to be reminded to pray not to enter into temptation so do I. I need topray just as they are told to pray.

Staying awake, how many times has Jesus said this inparables or elsewhere (10)? Part of being awake is remembering to pray andpraying not to enter into temptation. By the way it is not resisting temptationbut praying to not even being tempted. Help me, Lord!

Luke 22:54-55 54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the highpriest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire inthe middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

Peter is about to fail the temptation. Here is what I seehappening to Peter and to myself when I haven’t been praying to keep fromfalling into temptation.

1.      Peterhad already been warned back in Luke 22:34 that he was going to deny Jesus. Hedidn’t take it seriously at the time. That could be me when I ignore the Word.

2.      Peterfollowed Jesus at a distance. He didn’t want to get too close to Jesus. He hadalready taken a step toward disowning Jesus. I need to abide in Jesus. If I don’t,I’ll also follow at a distance. Jesus won’t be real to me. I’ll have a weakeneddesire to follow Jesus and be obedient to Him.

3.      Petersat down with them and warmed himself. His desire to satisfy his physical need overcamehis caution of mingling with the enemy. I can seek to comfort myself byindulging in the benefits of the world. When I do, I’m right in the midst oftemptation.

4.      Peterdenied Jesus two times. He didn’t remember Jesus’ warning. When I’m playingfootsie with the world, seeing how close I can come without actually yieldingto the sin, I will sin and not realize what I’m doing because my conscience hasbeen dulled as described in the previous three points.

5.      Peterheard the rooster crow after his third denial. He went out and wept bitterly.This is good news. When I truly repent of my sin and it hurts me the way ithurt Peter, I’m on the road to forgiveness, restoration, and not repeating thesin.

Help me, Lord, to not go down this path but to be awake andalert, praying to not fall into temptation.

 

Copyright by Ray Ruppert