TEMPTATION VS. PRAYER

If we do not abide in prayer, we will abide in temptation. ~ John Owen

Mark 14:38 "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak."

One of the many tremendous benefits of living a life of prayer, is the strength to rise above temptation! One of the most encouraging scriptures regarding victory over temptation is found here:

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The Hebrew writer assures us, that Jesus our High Priest, is not down on us because our propensity to yield to temptation. To the contrary, He knows what it is like to feel the tug of temptation. Jesus was just not capable of sin. However, He is seated upon on throne of Grace, not a throne of judgement. He is there, urging us to run to Him boldly when we are tempted and He will dispense a merciful grace, the strength to overcome, if we will earnestly call on Him!

"A sinning man stops praying, a praying man stops sinning." ~ Leonard Ravenhill

Friend, I have known the thrill of victory, at times, and I have also known the agony of defeat, at times. The way of victory has always been and will always be in our heartfelt cry to Jesus for His mighty power to overcome!

Every blessing!

Tom