Enter Not into Temptation Luke 22:40

39Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."



Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane and is about to be betrayed and arrested. He is headed to the cross. Just before He goes into the garden to be alone He tells His disciples to pray that they "not enter into temptation." Jesus knew what was about to happen. He knew the terrible position that the disciples were about to find themselves in. Jesus even told Simon Peter, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." The disciples had no idea what was about to take place and His instruction to pray was their only source of strength.


The disciples were about to be in a position that they would not be able to control. They were about to see Jesus arrested and taken away and then crucified. He was the Messiah; they were to be at His side as He ruled and returned Israel to its place of prominence. He was dead. They went back home dejected and discouraged. They did not know what to think. Their faith had been tested and their foundation rocked.


I cannot help but believe Jesus' statement to them in the garden, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." resounded over and over again in their minds. I am sure that they tried to pray and found praying difficult. They needed to be bale to make some sense of all that had happened in the last 3 years. They needed something that they could hold onto that would fill the void that was in their hearts in this terrible, dark hour. Prayer no doubt became their closest friend.


This statement from Jesus is recorded for us today for a very simple reason; we need to pray so that we do not enter into temptation. There is a tremendous truth that is found in this one short sentence. "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." When we pray, there is no place for temptation! It does not matter what kind of circumstances and situations we may find ourselves in, prayer is the answer for them all. It is virtually impossible to intentionally sin while you are in an attitude of prayer.


It is possible to "want" to do God's will and then fall short of that goal. It is however, almost impossible to be in an attitude of prayer and asking God for His will and His way in your life and then in the same breath, turn and contemplate sin as if you had every option in the world. God has a way of giving us the strength that we need to stand against temptation if we will just look to Him in prayer. Prayer is one of the most powerful forces in all of the universe. It is also one of the most misused and underused privilege that we have as well.


The disciples had just eaten; they were tired. They fell asleep in the garden while Jesus wrestled with His will in the garden. They should have prayed as Jesus instructed tem to do.


One quick note; "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."

If we do not pray, then we cannot complain because we did not follow Jesus' prescription and pray, before the storm instead of during or even after the storm as passed.