Preparing For Temptation

Luke 22:39-46

“And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-40)

When Jesus went to the mount of Olives, he knew that he would be arrested shortly, and executed within twenty four hours. He also knew the discouragement and fear the apostles would experience, and the temptation to just give up and walk away. His instruction is to pray that they not yield to the temptation, not that they pray to not be tempted. As he stated in Luke 17:1, temptations are unavoidable. “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: …”

James 1:2-3 makes it clear that being tempted is not something to be feared. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” We ought to embrace those struggles and trials as tools God is using to cause our faith to grow, as Romans 5:3-4 states. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” James 1:12 promises, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

We human beings don’t like to take responsibility for wrong actions. As a result we blame others for our sin. For example, we may say “the devil made me do it,” or, “that makes me so mad,” when, in fact, we chose to respond in that way. Outside influences do not determine our response. This is exactly what James 1:13-14 states. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

Romans 7:15 -25 addresses this same issue, with Paul asking, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” in Romans 7:24. His conclusion is the same as Peter’s in II Peter 2:9. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.” I Corinthians 10:13 declares, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Our prayer should not be that we not be tempted, but that we are aware of, and act on the options God has provided rather than yielding to the old sinful habits that momentarily satisfy the flesh. Jesus himself demonstrates the principle immediately.

"And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:41-42)

His own natural instinct as a man was to avoid the suffering at what ever cost. Even though he knew it was essential, he still asked that he be allowed to escape. At the same time, he acknowledged his faith in submitting his will to that of God. As he prayed, God provided the power to overcome the temptation to walk away.

“And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:43-44)

Even with God’s encouragement, it wasn’t an easy decision to continue with the plan. I have never had a situation so wrenching I wound up sweating drops of blood. It is because Jesus experienced such great temptation he is able to understand ours, and forgive us for our sins, according to Hebrews 2:18. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” It is because he understands how powerful that temptation can be he commanded us to forgive a brother who was sincerely repentant, not just seven times, but seventy times seven in Matthew 18:22. He did not command us to do something he will not do.

Having just wrestled with temptation to the point of sweating drops of blood, Jesus comes and finds that the disciples have gone to sleep to keep from thinking about what is going to happen. What a common response that is.

“And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:45-46)

Going to sleep, or getting drunk, or taking a nerve pill only postpone responding to a situation. We still have to decide how to respond, and the delay may make it harder to make the proper response. The time would be better spent seeking God’s leading and power. Because they haven’t spent the time in prayer, and are not prepared, Peter will deny him, and all the disciples will forsake him within the next few hours, yielding to temptation.