Thought For Today: “Spirit Willing Flesh Weak”

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

But then I remember what Jesus told 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 we desire above all else to follow, to read His word and to pray. And while we’re only human and want to do what is right, the reality is that the sin nature dwells within us and keeps us from doing what we know we ought to do.

Paul knew this 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 Satan is 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.