Watch
Yourself!
"Watch
and Pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The Spirit indeed is willing
but the flesh is weak." (Matthews 26:41)
None of us is "temptation-proof." Even mature Christians have weaknesses
in their spiritual armor that make them vulnerable to a wounding attack by the
enemy of their souls.
Our pride can provide the very opening needed for the sharp
thrust of a satanic dart. So can the love of money, a quick temper, a
critical tongue, or chronic impatience.
We need to know what temptation really is. It is any
enticement to think, say, or do something contrary to God's Holy Will. It
may be a weak impulse or a powerful urge. It's anything that's against
what God approves or desires for us.
The devil wants us to watch others in order to catch us off
guard and cause us to yield to his temptation. But our greatest
responsibility is to watch ourselves. We all need to know our own
weaknesses -- where we could easily be wounded spiritually. Then, as we
rely on the Lord for His help, we will be protected from the fiery darts of the
wicked one. Our greatest weakness may be our failure to ask for God's
strength. Our flesh without the Lord's help is no match to the devil.
Jesus told us to watch and pray. We need to pray
sometimes with our eyes open. In James, Chapter 1 and verses 14 and 15, He
said "every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and
enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin,
when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
I want you to look again at the word "watch" as I
define each letter.
W -- walk and words
A -- actions and attitudes
T -- tongue and talk
C -- conversation and character
H -- head and heart
In my closing,
may I say this: if we spend more time watching ourselves, we will walk closer
with Jesus and not see so many faults in others. For you I am praying.
I
invite you to visit our church and attend any and all of our services. I
look forward to meeting you soon.
Love
and Concern,
Bishop L. N.
Forbes
Pastor
Faith
Temple No. 2
