Day 13 - Means of Preservation
He does not truly hate the fruit [of sin]
who delights in the root [of sin, temptation].
John Owen, Temptation Resisted and Repulsed
What are the best means to preserve us from entering into temptation?
What are the best means to preserve us from entering into temptation? What will protect us from entertaining and embracing temptation in our lives? What does it mean to "watch and pray" (Matt 26:41). Owen digs deeper to show what it means to "watch and pray" so to preserve us from entering into temptation.
Three actions included in "watch and pray"
Owen provides more details on what it means to "watch and pray" against entering into temptation.
1) We must maintain daily "a clear, abiding awareness of the great evil of entering into temptation."
2) We must recognize that our own power cannot keep ourselves from entering into temptation
3) We must "exercise faith [trust] in the promise of God for our preservation."
1) We must maintain daily "a clear, abiding awareness of the great evil of entering into temptation."
That is, we must "always bear in mind the great danger of entering into temptation." (Matt 26:41- "watch") Too often we do not fear entering into temptation enough so that we put ourselves into situations and positions so that not only will we be tempted, but we put ourselves into situations and positions that almost guarantee we will enter into temptation. We do this in the name of "liberty", of Christian freedom, but we use Christian freedom as a cover for entertaining temptation. As own puts it, "He does not truly hate the fruit who delights in the root."
2) We must recognize that our own power cannot keep ourselves from entering into temptation
We must pray! (Matt 26:41 - "pray") We must pray that God keep us from entering into temptation. We must pray that the God the Holy Spirit will empower us so that we will not enter into temptation. Temptation is so subtle, it starts so imperceptibly, that we must rely on God to protect us from it. As Owen points out, we recognize this, there are two great advantages: (1) we are compelled "to engage the grace and compassion of God," and (2) by keeping ourselves in this mindset we "greatly tend our soul to its preservation" (that is, we have put ourselves into the right position so that we are not inclined towards entering into temptation).
3) We must "exercise faith [trust] in the promise of God for our preservation."
Faith [confident trust] in God's promises is itself a means of preservation. As James points out, in our prayers we must "ask in faith", we must ask confidently, "with no doubting." (James 1:6, ESV) Again, Prov 3:5-6 is a great promise to us: "5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths." When we trust in God, He will direct our paths, including directing our paths so that we do not enter into temptation.
Our Challenge
Do you recognize the great danger of entering into temptation? Do you keep this regularly on your mind so as to avoid entering into temptation? Do you pray constantly (1 Thes 5:17) for God to empower you to not enter into temptation? Do you confidently trust in God's promise to direct your paths? (Prov 3:5-6) These are the things you must do to protect yourself from entering into temptation.