Thought For Today: “Spirit Willing Flesh Weak”

These past several months it’s been hard to do my devotional readings. I found the only time I could do them is at night, or in the middle of the night, which is because of the interruptions. So, I found myself often times closing my eyes and waking up later with the Bible or my IPad open on my chest.

But then I remember what Jesus said to His disciples.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

Jesus knows what we go through, and while we desire above all else to follow, to read His word and pray. And while we’re only humans with a desire to do what is right, the reality is that the sin nature dwells within and keeps us from doing what we know we ought to do.

Paul knew this very well. He said, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:18)

Even though our flesh is weak, we need to let the Holy Spirit help us through, because it’s Satan trying to stop a good work of God from proceeding. But when we allow God room to move, we’ll find that His grace outstrips our weaknesses.

This is something even Paul knew as the Lord said,