Another devo from the Lord.
Overcome The Temptation
“And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.” Mark 14:37-39
Being a minister of the gospel, you can imagine how many times I have been asked, “Vince how can I overcome this temptation? I think about it all the time. I pray but then it comes back when I see something on tv or when I am hanging around my friends. I don’t want to do this anymore. Is there a way out for me?”
I am glad to announce there is a way out!!! Rejoice!!!! Jesus not only tells us in Mark that if we pray we wont enter into temptation but it also says in Luke’s gospel in chapter 22:40 that, “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” Not only does Jesus tell his disciples to do this but He does it Himself in verse 39 in Mark.
“But Vince I have prayed. I prayed a million times even and nothing has happened!!!”
Yes you may have prayed a million times but have you prayed for more than a hour? There is something awesome about praying in the spirit for more than a few minutes. The longer you pray the quicker your flesh (your mind, will, emotions) shut down and you have your inner man (your spirit) rise up and to begin taking over your natural body.
The Bible tells us in Galations chapter 5, “ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” A way to help you walk in the spirit is through prayer. I have found over time that praying in tongues for at least a hour super charges your spirit and gives you the ability in Christ Jesus to tell any temptation in the flesh NO. This happens because through praying in the spirit you are yielding all of yourself to the Lord and He begins that awesome work in you. He also because you are seeking His face provides for you the strength to overcome that temptation. You can surely do all things through Christ who gives you the strength.
We all need to rest and come to a decision within ourselves that whenever we face a temptation, we don’t have to give in. You because you are a believer in Christ Jesus have the victory over sin and lust (any love greater than your love for God). Romans 8 in the amplified tells us ,” For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [[1] the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [[2] subdued, overcame, [3] deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice]. So whenever temptation comes knocking at your door let us all run to praying and watch God through prayer give us the victory time and time again.
Peace- nothing missing and nothing broken.
Vince