How to Prevent Temptation. (Luke 22: 39-46)
In today's discussion, we're diving into the realm of temptation. Now, it's a universal experience—we all face it, no doubt about that. But let's get personal for a moment: what are your specific temptations? Are you inclined to worry? Is that something you find yourself grappling with despite the Bible saying it is something we should not do?
Or perhaps anger is your Achilles' heel. Anger manifests in various forms—there's the explosive kind and then there's the simmering, festering type that lingers within. Does that resonate with you?
Now, here's a curveball: impulsive spending at the shops. Ever found yourself in that situation? You head out with a clear intention to buy one or two items, and somehow end up with a handful of things, maybe even pricier ones than you bargained for. Sound familiar?
So, as we reflect on our individual temptations, it's crucial today for you to pinpoint one that hits close to home for you.
It's easy to think of the typical vices like drinking or sexual temptations, but I urge you to identify the one that's uniquely yours. Ownership is key here because it allows us to use this bible passage to dig deep and help us and thereby at a deeper level and have a chance of overcoming it.
OK got it?
Now, let's talk about what typically happens when temptation strikes. We give in, feel guilty, vow not to do it again, and then, well sadly, repeat the cycle. It's a frustrating pattern, isn't it?
So, the question becomes: how do we break free from this cycle? How do we prepare ourselves to resist temptation when it inevitably comes knocking?
So, buckle up, and let's begin our journey together on BPDP.
So with dealing with temptation in mind turn with me if you will to Luke chapter 22 and let's begin at verse 39 .
To shed some light on this issue, I want us to turn to a passage in the Gospel of Luke.
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives.
39: Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40: On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41: He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43: An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44: And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45: When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46: “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
(Luke 22: 39-46)
The passage we're exploring today is a familiar one, especially for those acquainted with the Gospels. It begins with Jesus admonishing his disciples before departing for the Mount of Olives.
Firstly, in verse 39, we find Jesus leaving the upper room and making his way to the Mount of Olives. It's worth noting that Jerusalem is situated on a hill, with the temple occupying a prominent position.
The Mount of Olives is actually slightly higher than the city and offers a breathtaking view of Jerusalem and its temple.
Despite the knowledge of Judas' up and coming betrayal, Jesus willingly went goes to a place he frequented regularly, indicating his voluntary submission to any events that might unfold. He is not running away here.
Upon reaching the Mount of Olives, Jesus instructs his disciples to pray, specifically urging them to pray against falling into temptation.
The focus here is not solely on Jesus' prayer, but on his directive to the disciples to pray for themselves.
This instruction is particularly touching considering Jesus had just foretold Peter's denial, highlighting the imminent temptations he knew they would all soon face.
So, rather than solely focusing on his own impending trial, Jesus emphasizes the importance of his disciples preparing themselves spiritually to withstand temptation.
It's an important lesson in the necessity of proactive spiritual preparation in the face of impending challenges.
Following Jesus' request for them to pray, the focus then shifts to Jesus who withdraws himself a short distance away to pray alone.
He is seen to kneel—a departure from the customary standing posture for prayer, Jesus then begins his petition to his Father.
He utters a profound request: "Father, if it is your will, take this cup away from me." Here, the "cup" symbolizes the impending suffering, including the crucifixion he will experience and the pouring out of God's wrath upon him.
This image he draws upon here is from Old Testament imagery where the "cup" represents divine judgment and wrath.
In this moment, we see Jesus exhibit a very human response. He, being fully divine and fully human, experiences the natural apprehension and dread of the suffering he will experience very soon.
In his humanity, Jesus surrenders to the Father's will, saying, "Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done." This declaration encapsulates Jesus' unwavering commitment to fulfil the divine purpose of atonement, even at the cost of excruciating suffering.
The depth of Jesus' submission is beautifully expressed by German poet, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, when he said:
"He'd rather go to hell for you, than to go to heaven without you."
(Johann Wolfgang von Goethe) www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/285217
It's an acute statement of sacrificial love and obedience to the father’s plan. Moreover, it's suggested by bible experts that the tone with which Jesus uttered these words are meant to convey a sense of complete submission, underscoring the depth of his surrender to the Father's will.
In essence, Jesus' prayer in the garden reflects the epitome of humility and obedience, setting a powerful example for believers to trust in God's sovereignty even in the face of suffering or uncertainty.
It's not merely a helpless surrender, but rather a profound trust in the Father's will, even in the face of intense suffering. Despite the natural inclination to seek protection and deliverance from suffering, Jesus embraces the Father's will with perfect trust, recognizing that the Father always ultimately desires what is best for His children.
This concept of the Father's will sometimes leading to suffering is further illustrated by the example of Job. Often, we focus solely on Job's physical afflictions, but his suffering extends far beyond mere bodily pain.
Imagine being set upon by your friends who turn against you, condemning and accusing you relentlessly. Job's suffering encompasses emotional, mental, and spiritual anguish, compounded by the loss of his children, property, and even the support of his wife.
Yet, amidst all this suffering, Job comes to a profound realization—he emerges from this intense period of suffering with a deeper understanding of God.
He moves from merely hearing of God to truly knowing Him. This underscores the potential transformative power of suffering in deepening our spiritual understanding and relationship with God.
Returning to Jesus in the garden, we see that after His acceptance of the Father's will, He receives strength from an angel.
This highlights a crucial aspect of facing suffering in the will of God the ability of God to provide you with what you need for divine strength.
Even the incarnate Son of God needed spiritual and physical strengthening to endure what lay ahead.
In our own lives, when we confront trials and tribulations because we are choosing to stay aligned with the Father's will, we must recognize our need for divine strength. It's not merely about resigning ourselves to suffering, but about actively seeking and relying on God's strength to sustain us through the darkest of times.
Just as Jesus found strength in His obedience to the Father's will, so too can we find strength in our surrender to Him.
The importance of relying on the power of God when doing His will cannot be overstated. Attempting to fulfil God's purposes without His empowering presence inevitably leads to failure.
Jesus himself emphasized this truth, stating, "Without me, you can do nothing." It's a sobering reminder that apart from God's power, our efforts lack any spiritual value.
This principle has resonated deeply with me for many years now. I vividly recall the impact of Jesus' words, when he said, we looked at them yesterday: "You do not know the scripture nor the power of God."
They really struck me the first time I heard them, and they continue to shape my understanding of serving the Lord.
I believe it boils down to two essential components: a knowledge of scripture and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
As Jesus wrestles in prayer, we witness the depth of his agony—a soul-wrenching anguish that transcends mere physical discomfort. He prays earnestly, fervently, with such intensity that sweat pours from him like drops of blood. This physiological response underscores the sheer magnitude of his emotional and spiritual struggle he faced.
In this moment, Jesus exemplifies the reality that prayer can be hard intense, even strenuous work sometimes, particularly when facing adversity. Yet, it's precisely during these challenging times that our need for prayer becomes most apparent.
Prayer isn't always just a casual conversation with God; it can be a laborious endeavour, requiring unwavering commitment and dependence on God's strength.
Furthermore, prayer shouldn’t be confined to specific times or days or religious rituals—it's a continual dialogue with the Lord, permeating every aspect of our lives.
It's the lifeline that sustains us, especially when navigating the trials and tribulations inherent in doing God's will.
So, as we consider Jesus' agonizing prayer in the garden here, let's recognize the truth it embodies: being that prayer isn't always easy, but it's absolutely essential, particularly when embarking on the journey of fulfilling God's will.
In this passage, we encounter a crucial lesson about the power of prayer in combating temptation.
Jesus, burdened with sorrow, retreats to pray fervently while his disciples, go fall asleep.
Maybe this scene is also meant to resonates with the fact that many who find themselves overwhelmed by circumstances, seek solace in sleep to escape their troubles.
Often trying but finding themselves unable to sleep.
Yet here, Jesus wakes them up, urging them to pray, emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant against temptation.
The reason for prayer seen in Jesus' call to prayer at the beginning and end of this episode is clear. It underscores the significance of prayer as a means of avoiding temptation. Sandwiched between Jesus' own fervent prayer and his admonition to the disciples lies a simple but important message: prayer is the antidote to temptation.
Prayer is the key to resisting temptation. It's a straightforward yet profound truth that underscores the essential role of prayer in the Christian life. So, in the face of temptation, the solution is simple: pray, pray, and pray.
Let's take a moment and delve deeper into the topic of temptation because I believe there's a crucial aspect that hasn't been fully emphasized yet.
Before I get into it, I want you to think about the temptation you had in mind when I asked you to recall your Achillies heel at the beginni9ng of today’s episode.
Often, when facing a significant temptation, it's easy to feel isolated, as if no one else understands what you're going through. You might think, "Nobody has ever experienced what I’m faced with."
But here's the truth: whatever you're facing, others have been there too, and some have even faced worse. Listen to this.
No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
(1 Cor 10: 13)
Now, let's get to the specifics. I'm going to give you three practical steps to prevent falling into temptation. Are you ready?
Firstly, pray, did I mention that already. Yes, it sounds simple, but let me stress the importance of praying before you even encounter temptation.
This is precisely what we see in this passage in Luke. Jesus urges his disciples to pray before they face temptation. The problem often lies in our tendency to postpone prayer until temptation is staring us in the face. We wait until we're in the thick of it before we cry out for help.
While it's never too late to pray, those prayers aren't as effective as the ones prayed beforehand. So, the first step is to pray right now, before temptation even arises. Don't delay—pray now.
This proactive approach to prayer is crucial in fortifying ourselves against temptation. By praying beforehand, we invite God's strength and guidance into our lives, equipping us to resist temptation when it inevitably comes our way.
So, remember, the time to pray against temptation is not when you're in the midst of it, but right now, in anticipation of what may come.
Pray for inner strength. So, when we pray for strength to resist temptation, we're tapping into the power of God to help us stand firm. That's our first point: pray early and pray for strength to resist temptation before it comes.
Secondly, let's consider Jesus' example in facing temptation.
In the Gospel of Luke, he's tempted twice—once at the beginning in the wilderness by the devil himself and again toward the end here in this passage.
If we want to understand how to overcome temptation, studying Jesus' response is paramount.
In the first temptation, what did Jesus do? He quoted Scripture. Every time the devil tempted him, Jesus responded with Scripture from Deuteronomy.
That suggest to me that perhaps our vulnerability to temptation sometimes stems from not knowing Scripture well enough.
So, point two: to overcome temptation, our minds must be renewed by Scripture. It's not just about knowing Scripture; it's about allowing it to reshape our thinking, aligning our minds with God's perspective.
This requires meditating on the bible every day, letting it permeate our thoughts and actions.
Thirdly, Lastly, let's not overlook the importance of fleeing from temptation. As the verse in 1 Corinthians 10:13 states, God always provides a way of escape. That escape route is usually fleeing by making a deliberate choice to turn away from temptation.
Paul emphasizes this in Romans 13:14,
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts.
So, my final point: when faced with temptation, flee from it. Don't entertain it or make room for it in your life.
In essence, these three actions.
Praying for strength.
Renewing our minds with Scripture, and
Fleeing from temptation.
Form a powerful strategy for resisting the allure of sin.
By relying on God's strength, aligning our minds with His Word, and actively avoiding temptation, we equip ourselves to overcome even the most challenging trials of temptation.
One example, impulsive shopping can be a significant temptation for many. Here's a simply solution: if you find yourself drawn to shop, consider using cash instead of credit cards, cut them up for a season.
If you drawn to drink to much, don’t make provision for the flesh by going to bars, or avoid the drinks isle in the supermarket.
If you eat to much, don’t drive home past the fast-food restaurants, or order your groceries on-line so you don’t walk past the tempting stuff.
Other maybe need to consider changing the setting on their browser to safe search to avoid seeing things that will draw them away from what is appropriate for them to be seeing
So, to summarize, remember the three principles:
1. Pay for strength.
2. Renew your mind with the Word of God.
3. Don't make provision for the flesh to indulge its desires.
Every life has its temptations, so what’s your temptation yet every temptation has a prompting of God to respond in the right way.
I hope today helps you overcome whatever is tempting you in life.