Bible Reading: 1 Kings 14,15; Luke 22:24-48
“And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation” Luke 22:40 (KJV)
Our Lord, Jesus Christ, though being God in a human body did not treat temptation with levity. He was full of the Spirit of God while He was here on earth. This relationship with the Spirit was sustained by continuous prayer. He tells His disciples to do same by praying against temptation. No wonder He could make statements such as..”… He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” John 8:28 (KJV).
King Solomon did everything! He served God and also served gods with his wives. In the end he gave this advice in Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV), “… Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” The devil tries to pull us away from our duty of serving God by dangling things through our minds that goes against God’s commandment. He told Eve to eat from the tree for she will become like God when she does. She bought into it with her imagination and began to see the tree as good for food, pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired.. (Genesis 3:1-6). The rest is history.
The Master, Jesus, was tempted by the devil. The devil can tempt anybody as long as you are in the flesh. His aim is for us to displease God. But Glory be to God! We are now more aware of our spiritual makeup more than our flesh. So the Lord told His disciple, you and me included, to watch and pray. As we do this, the Holy Spirit comes and helps us mortify our mortal bodies which the devil takes advantage of (Romans 8:13), and helps us obey God.
One secret to staying strong in prayer from Jesus’ example is seen in Luke 22:39,41 (NLT), “Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went AS USUAL to the mount of Olives [41] He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and KNELT DOWN AND PRAYED.” He has a place of prayer and goes there often. Be deliberate about having a prayer alter and pray against temptation daily.
Prayer: Father, I receive grace to remain consistent in my prayer life and help me to overcome whatever challenges may come my way.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu