God’s Arsenal

TO READ: Mark 14:27-52

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Mark 14:38

Jesus knows us humans very well, doesn’t he? After all, he came to live in our world, in part so that he might experience what it’s like to be human —faced with pain, difficulty, and, yes, even temptations. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus knows that no matter how willing we may be to walk with him, serve him, and obey him, at times our “body” doesn’t want to.

So how do we strengthen ourselves? Our best defense is to be prepared spiritually —we need to keep alert and pray, as Jesus said. The best weapon of defense in our arsenal is the Word of God. When Jesus was tempted by Satan (and Satan even used Scripture that he twisted to his own purpose), Jesus saw through Satan’s lies and quoted Scripture, used correctly, back at him. We learn from the Bible what is right and what is wrong. If we are daily in God’s Word, we will become familiar with it and will be able to use it when we face temptation. This is part of what it means to “keep watch” (Mark 14:38).

A second weapon of defense is prayer. Jesus told his disciples to pray, so that when temptation would strike, they could be in tune with God and do his will. We must do the same.