Keep on Guard Against Temptation

 "Keep on the watch and pray continually, so that you may not enter into temptation." - MATTHEW 26:41.

"THE spirit, of course, is eager, but the flesh is weak."(Matthew 26:41b) With those words, Jesus showed that he understood our imperfect condition. But his words also included a warning: Beware of overconfidence. Earlier that very night, the disciples had confidently expressed their determination to stick by their Master. (Matthew 26:35) Their motives were good. Still, they did not realize how quickly they could weaken under pressure. Thus, Jesus cautioned them: "Keep on the watch and pray continually, so that you may not enter into temptation." - MATTHEW 26:41a. 

Sadly, the disciples failed to keep on the watch. When Jesus was arrested, did they stick by him or did the give in to the temptation to flee? Caught off guard, the disciples did exactly what they said they would never do-they abandoned Jesus. - MATTHEW 26:56. 

We cannot afford to be overconfident. True, we are determined to let nothing turn us away from Jehovah. We are also imperfect and vulnerable to temptation. (Romans 5:12; 7:21-23) Without warning, we could find ourselves in circumstances that make the wrong course seem very appealing. To remain loyal to Jehovah and his Son, we need to follow Jesus' counsel to keep on guard against the temptation to sin. This article can help us to that. First, we will consider in what areas we must especially guard against temptation. Finally, we will consider how to remain on guard. 

Next time: KEEP ON GUARD - IN WHAT AREAS 

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