“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26.41
Many Christians spend all their time thinking about the devil, without giving any thought to the part of us that WANTS to sin: Namely, our flesh. Similarly, it’s possible to think only about our fleshly desires without considering the role of the devil and his designs to derail our walk with the Lord. Both extremes are prone to needless difficulties and even failure and backsliding. The Bible warns against both, and the wise Christian will be watchful of both areas in his or her walk.
What are the three desires of the flesh?
- Lust of the FLESH – Physical Pleasures (fornication, gluttony, drunkenness, etc.)
- Lust of the EYES – Covetousness, including items from both of the others
- Pride of Life – All self-exaltations (status, competition, expensive possessions, etc.)
Galatians 5.16
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. “
Beware of Satan’s Opportune Times
When Satan tempted Jesus in Luke chapter 4, it’s described as a time when Jesus “chastened his soul” with fasting. Note that after forty days when the Lord was very hungry, Satan’s first temptation had to do with food. Then in verse 13 we’re told, “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
The devil knows when to approach us with temptation. Learn to expect temptation when you’re tired, discouraged, hurt by others or otherwise at a low point in your walk. Keep in mind too that he doesn’t need to get you to follow him. All he wants and needs is for you to stop following Jesus… to stop praying, worshipping, and especially telling others about the Lord.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
1 Peter 5.8