FAITH CAPSULE: Prayer not sleep will lock temptation out.

Luke 22

Every engagement with Satan is temptation enablement.  It was the day serpent engaged Eve that the temptation to eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden became a manifestation in her life. Eve became disobedient, scattered from God’s command and fell for sin when she ate against God’s command.
Judas Iscariot engaged Satan. It is written, “Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.  And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.  So he promised and sought opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of the multitude.” (Luke 22:3-6) Always, with temptation comes disobedient to disobey God. Disobeying God is the evidence of betraying God.

Temptation is the key which opens door to all kinds of sin. Jesus emphasized it that, prayer is way to lock out temptation.
The bible recorded, “Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.  When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:39-40) While He was praying the disciples were sleeping. To sleep at the prayer hour is the avenue for temptation to have a place in man’s life. Jesus was praying earnestly but the disciples were sleeping with sorrow. Jesus approached them and said, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:46) Jesus must have seen what was about to happen when He came to speak to the disciples about keeping awake. The bible recorded, “while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Judas, the one Satan entered sold out his Lord and savior cheaply. Is there any way you have been selling Jesus out consciously or unconsciously.
At the time Jesus woke them up from sleeping they have entered the situation that caused all of them to scatter in attempt to save their life. At the time Jesus woke them up from sleeping instead of praying Peter was set, to strike instead of him to allow Jesus to speak to situation.  Peter struck by cutting off the servant of the high priest’s ear. Jesus responded by speaking to the situation. With temptation in the place of prayer man will end up denying and selling Jesus out. Engage unceasing prayer to disallow temptation.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace to be strengthened on prayer altar.