Matt 26:41 - Preparing for and Preventing Temptation
In his book Temptation: Resisted and Repulsed, John Owen reflects on Matt 26:41 to give sound guidance on how to prepare for and prevent temptation.
Matt 26:41 are the words of Christ to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane the night that Christ was betrayed and handed over to the Jewish and Roman authorities for His trial and ultimately His crucifixion.
Christ, knowing that the persecution and suffering ahead would bring temptation to Peter, tells Peter to do two things: 1) watch and 2) pray.
Owen draws helpful principles from this that applies to all Christians and how we prepare for and prevent temptation in our own lives. (Owen specifically says he is addressing "the way of preventing [temptation]", but it is also sound to see this as preparing us for facing temptation, too, as evidenced by what Peter faced after Gethsemane, namely his own temptation and denial of Christ.)
Owen defines temptation as "testing in a negative sense [that] seek[s] to lead the soul into evil." In order to prevent this testing or face it when it comes, there are two basic actions to be taken.
Action 1: Watch
Watching is being alert to the dangers that can and do tempt us. We must keep on guard and alert so that we are aware of when temptation is coming towards us. (cf. 1 Pet 5:8)
Action 2: Pray
Praying to prevent and prepare us for temptation is following the guidance of our Lord who told us to pray, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (Matt 6:13, ESV)
Both watching and praying in regards to preparing and preventing temptation are active, constant activities. We must always be watching and always be praying that God would prevent us from temptation for it leads us to evil and sin in our lives.
Matt 26:41 are the words of Christ to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane the night that Christ was betrayed and handed over to the Jewish and Roman authorities for His trial and ultimately His crucifixion.
Christ, knowing that the persecution and suffering ahead would bring temptation to Peter, tells Peter to do two things: 1) watch and 2) pray.
Owen draws helpful principles from this that applies to all Christians and how we prepare for and prevent temptation in our own lives. (Owen specifically says he is addressing "the way of preventing [temptation]", but it is also sound to see this as preparing us for facing temptation, too, as evidenced by what Peter faced after Gethsemane, namely his own temptation and denial of Christ.)
Owen defines temptation as "testing in a negative sense [that] seek[s] to lead the soul into evil." In order to prevent this testing or face it when it comes, there are two basic actions to be taken.
Action 1: Watch
Watching is being alert to the dangers that can and do tempt us. We must keep on guard and alert so that we are aware of when temptation is coming towards us. (cf. 1 Pet 5:8)
Action 2: Pray
Praying to prevent and prepare us for temptation is following the guidance of our Lord who told us to pray, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." (Matt 6:13, ESV)
Both watching and praying in regards to preparing and preventing temptation are active, constant activities. We must always be watching and always be praying that God would prevent us from temptation for it leads us to evil and sin in our lives.
Matt 26:41 (ESV)
"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."