“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41, New International Version)
You’ve probably heard that saying before even if you didn’t know where it came from. And if you aren’t familiar with the phrase, you are more than aware of the truth behind it.
At least I am.
I know what it is like to really, really want to do it right–to please God with every action and attitude. The intent and desire are present and then the execution is totally flubbed (does anyone use that word anymore?).
As I read this passage this morning, I was reminded again of how true it is, at least for me. I also read it from The Message:
“Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”
Ok, so I’m not thrilled with the imagery, but I can’t argue with the accuracy. I make myself a little crazy sometimes with poor follow-through. Maybe you do, too.
I do want us to notice one thing, though. Jesus tells His disciples (and us) what to do (watch and pray), why to do it (so we don’t fall into temptation) and a possible pitfall (willing spirit and weak flesh). But when He came back the next time, He didn’t lecture. He didn’t say, “I told you so.” He moved on, trusting that His words would come back to them at a future point when they would need to remember.
We are on a journey with Jesus. We are not what we once were and we are not yet what we will be.
Question: How can we be more led by our willing spirits than by our weak flesh?
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