The flesh is weak

The crucifixion of Christ would occur within hours.

So Jesus went to the garden to pray and asked the three disciples in the “inner core” — Peter, James, and John — to also pray (Mk. 14:32-42).  These were not immature or ungodly men.  They loved Christ.  Peter had just professed that he would die for Christ, and indeed, all three of them ultimately did.  They wanted to do what Christ asked them to do.  They were aware that something significant was about to happen.  Christ had told them of the coming crucifixion, but they didn’t understand the full implications of it, though they were very aware that things were about to change.  So they undoubtedly wanted to pray.

But they didn’t pray.

Jesus prayed.  They slept.  And then He awakened them.

“Simon, are you asleep?  Could you not keep watching and praying for one hour?” (v. 36)

And then He identified their problem:

“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (v. 37).

The problem was not a matter of the will. People will often say they want to avoid sin.  The man engaged in an adulterous relationship will say he wants to stop.  The college freshman will assert she doesn’t want to get drunk.  The stagnant believer will say he wants to read and memorize the Bible.  The overly harsh father will say he doesn’t want to be angry.

But inevitably the adulterer continues in his adultery, the college student keeps drinking, the stagnant person doesn’t pick up the Bible and the father stays angry.  The problem in all these cases is not generally a matter of the will.  The problem is the flesh.

And Jesus’ words to the disciples are instructive to us.  No matter how strong the desire for obedience is, the flesh must be considered and battled.  So Jesus says, “keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation.” Be attentive and on guard against any temptation of the flesh to disregard your godly desires.  And then pray for God’s grace to sustain you against those temptations.

Paul will say, “make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Rom. 13:14).  Don’t give the flesh any opportunity to undermine your will to obey Christ.  Inform your mind and conscience about the goodness of obedience and submission to Christ and about the danger of indulging the flesh.

In his sermon, “The Righteous Man’s Weal,” Thomas Watson offers some helpful counsel in fighting temptation:

When you are tempted to any wickedness, think to yourself, “How can I bear the fierceness of God’s wrath forever? How can I ‘lie in the winepress of God’s wrath forever?” Take heed of those sins that will bring you into this place of torment.
I have read a story of a virgin who, being tempted by a young man to commit folly, said unto him, “Grant me but one request and I will do what you
ask.”

“What is that?” said he.

“Do but hold your finger one hour in this burning candle.”

No, he would not do that.

Said she, “Will you not for my sake hold your finger an hour in the candle, and will you have my soul lie burning in hell forever?” Thus, she rebuked the temptation.

Does Satan tempt you to wickedness? Hold out this text as a shield to the devil to quench his fiery darts. Say this: “Oh, Satan, if I embrace your temptations, I must be under your tormenting to all eternity.”

Therefore, labor to be righteous. It shall be well with the righteous. But take heed of sin. It shall be ill with the sinner.

I will conclude with a saying of Augustine:  “When a man has been virtuous, the labor is gone but the pleasure remains. When a man has been wicked, the pleasure is gone but the sting remains.”

Your spirit may be inclined to obey Christ.  But always remember that your flesh is at war against that obedience and will always entice you with temptations to indulge your ungodly desires.  Keep watching and praying.