Lest Ye Enter Into Temptation

Numbers 11:24–13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3

Words
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. – Number 13:30-31

Moses sent twelve leaders (one man for every tribe) to spy out the land as God had commanded him to do. When they returned and were to give their report about the land, Caleb said, “We are well able.” Other men, though, said, “We be not able.” Knowing the story and seeing these words in this passage – how important are our words? How important are the words of our leaders? Your words, if you are a leader? Aren’t we all are leaders of someone?

Had the leaders given a different report, wouldn’t their people have followed willingly?

My words come from what is in my heart. What is in my heart comes from what I ponder most in my mind. What is in my mind comes from what I have allowed in or who I have listened to. My words, attitudes, and what I allow in (even from leaders) matter!!!  

Evil Words
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. 2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.  Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. – Psalm 52:1-5

Boasting, mischievous, deceitful, lying, devouring words lead to destruction.

Pride Leads to Shame
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. – Proverbs 11:2

We have all been in places where we have let pride take over, and shortly after that, we deal with the shame of having allowed our pride to take over. Wasn’t that what Peter set himself up for as well? His (prideful) words led to great shame.

Lest Ye Enter Into Temptation
And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. – Mark 14:37-38

Peter says that he will never deny Jesus. He says even if everyone else does, he won’t. Jesus knows he will and even warns Peter. When he takes the few disciples with Him to pray, he again clearly warns them to watch and pray, lest they enter into temptation. Had they stayed awake, watching and praying, would they have been strengthened in their flesh so that they could have resisted the temptation to deny Jesus?

How important for each of us to also heed these warnings we’ve been given in today’s scriptures – Watch ye (MELISSA) and pray, lest ye (MELISSA) enter into temptation.

Please help me today, Father, to watch and pray…in Jesus’ Name. Amen!