Where this command is found:
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
If you were traveling through tall grass on the savannah in Africa and knew there was a possibility of lions prowling around, you would most likely be extremely vigilant to watch your surroundings. Every slightest noise would grab your attention, not knowing what you might find. Spiritually speaking, we as believers need to be aware of the fact that we have an enemy that prowls around like a lion seeking to tempt and attack us. I Peter 5:8 commands us: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
How do we remain vigilant in this spiritual battle we are engaged in? We find one of the keys in the command of Christ Watch and Pray. Physically speaking, we would be very aware of our surroundings if we knew we could possibly be attacked by a lion. In the same way, spiritually speaking we should watch and pray so that we do not enter into the temptation and ensnarement of Satan. As we rely on the Lord, He will enable us to stay spiritually alert and to be seeking Him daily in prayer.
In Jesus’ command in Matthew 26:41, given to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, we see that one of the keys to not giving into temptation is staying in close fellowship with the Lord through earnestly watching and praying. Just like the safest place for a sheep is close to its shepherd, so the safest place for us as believers is us daily drawing near to our Great Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The reality is that Satan is a defeated foe. Jesus Christ won the victory over him at the cross! As believers we don’t fight the spiritual battle from a defeated position—rather, we fight from a position of already being victorious in Christ! (See I John 5:4 and I Corinthians 15:57.) Colossians 4:2 tells us that part of our watching and praying should also include thanksgiving: “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Our watchful prayer should be full of thanksgiving to the Lord Who has overcome all things and Who dwells in us.
Because of Christ’s victory, we don’t have to enter into temptation. We can draw near in our fellowship with Him through watching and praying and He will keep us from sin. It’s interesting to note that earlier in the book of Matthew we read that when Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, he told them to pray the following: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil . . .” (Matthew 6:13). Our flesh is weak and prone to give in to temptation, but I Corinthians 10:13 tells us that God provides us a way of escape in temptation. Our freedom, our victory, and our strength to watch and pray are all found in the Lord Jesus Christ!
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Will we live in spiritual alertness, or sleep as the enemy approaches? Among the olive trees, Jesus was pressed like an olive, bearing our sin in anguish and surrender. Are we awake to the price He paid for us? He calls us to stay spiritually awake through prayerful surrender.
Are we depending on Jesus or drifting into comfort? True strength is found in humble prayer. If media or busyness has stolen our fire, it’s time to repent and return. Revival begins when we wake up.
Watching and praying keeps us close to Christ. When temptation comes, do we run to Him or rely on ourselves? He alone is our escape and strength. Is there hidden sin or shallowness dulling your soul? Only abiding in Jesus can keep our love burning and our steps steady.
Are we enduring in watchfulness, or fainting in the fight? The Christian life is a long race and a spiritual battle. Strength comes by fixing our eyes on Jesus. He’s called us to wear His armor and stand firm. Will He find us praying when He returns?
