"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41
Many people use this verse as their reason, or rather their excuse, for giving into their flesh. They excuse sin, doing the wrong thing, immoral behavior, bad attitudes and selfishness as something that they just can't help because "the flesh is weak". In other words- they have no control over it.
This verse isn't an excuse or a license to sin it is a warning. It warns that there will be a battle between the spirit- which wants to do the right thing, wants to serve God and wants to be obedient to His commands; and the flesh- which wants to have its own way and do what it wants to do.
This verse also gives the reason why we seem to be more prone to give into our flesh-- it is weak. But it doesn't just leave us with a warning and an explanation of why the struggle between spirit and flesh, it also gives us the answer for overcoming the flesh and to walking in the spirit-- "watch and pray".
"Watch". Now that you know the flesh is weak, be aware and on guard for the temptations that your flesh seems to so easily gravitate towards.
"Pray". Prayer keeps us keenly alert to recognize the temptations when they come. It also strengthens our spirit so that we can overcome the desire to give into our flesh.
Stop excusing the behavior of your flesh. You do not have to give in to it and follow its ways. It may be weak, but you do not have to yield to it. Yield to the spirit and it will always overcome the flesh.
Have a great day. Just because your flesh is weak and prone to sin, you cannot excuse its behavior, you overcome it by yielding to the spirit.
For further reading:
Mark 14:38
Romans 8:12
This verse isn't an excuse or a license to sin it is a warning. It warns that there will be a battle between the spirit- which wants to do the right thing, wants to serve God and wants to be obedient to His commands; and the flesh- which wants to have its own way and do what it wants to do.
This verse also gives the reason why we seem to be more prone to give into our flesh-- it is weak. But it doesn't just leave us with a warning and an explanation of why the struggle between spirit and flesh, it also gives us the answer for overcoming the flesh and to walking in the spirit-- "watch and pray".
"Watch". Now that you know the flesh is weak, be aware and on guard for the temptations that your flesh seems to so easily gravitate towards.
"Pray". Prayer keeps us keenly alert to recognize the temptations when they come. It also strengthens our spirit so that we can overcome the desire to give into our flesh.
Stop excusing the behavior of your flesh. You do not have to give in to it and follow its ways. It may be weak, but you do not have to yield to it. Yield to the spirit and it will always overcome the flesh.
Have a great day. Just because your flesh is weak and prone to sin, you cannot excuse its behavior, you overcome it by yielding to the spirit.
For further reading:
Mark 14:38
Romans 8:12
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