Let’s take a look at a situation where Jesus tries to help Peter get ready for a temptation. Jesus told all His disciples what was going to happen and how they were going to react to it. But, Peter was very much like us and thought he knew himself better than Jesus did. Mat 26:31 (NIV) Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will ALL fall away on account of Me, for it is written: “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” Jesus warned them but He didn’t force them to accept the warning.

Mat 26:33 (NIV) Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” This statement is caused by SELF-esteem and SELF-confidence; Peter lacked GOD-esteem and GOD-confidence. Since his faith was still in himself rather in God, he was going to face a temptation that Jesus tried to protect him from. Here you can see that Jesus would have liked to save Peter from the pain and disappointment he was facing; but, Jesus still DID NOT interfere with Peter’s God-given free will.

Mat 26:34 (NIV) “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.” Jesus wasn’t speaking this into Peter’s life, He was trying to get Peter to pray for protection. This is the way Jesus deals with you; Jesus will give you more than enough warning so you will be able to pray. Through it God will give you the power and wisdom you need in order to learn your lessons; and, you will be able to do it WITHOUT having to go through and fail at some great temptation. But, if like Peter, you DECIDE to go ahead and do it your way, Jesus will allow you to be led into that temptation.

Mat 26:35 (NIV) But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will NEVER disown You.” And all the other disciples said the same. This is what self-confidence and self-esteem look like; and, this is why we often find ourselves in a situation where we feel like God has let us down. We often can’t remember all the warnings and indications that we are about to head in a wrong direction. God speaks to our emotions and to our mind giving us feelings and reasons why something is wrong; but, we quite simply don’t believe Him.

You have to DESIRE to be helped out of, be set free from, be protected and delivered from, and led away from A temptation. You have to STUDY and know what sin and temptations look like. You have to PRAY, like Jesus did, so you will have the power to resist the temptation. You have to wait for Jesus to give you the faith so you can BELIEVE you have the power to resist the temptation. You have to LOVE yourself, other people, and God’s plan enough to not want to hurt yourself, others, or God’s plan by yielding to a temptation. And, you have to take FAITH-ACTION and live on the basis of the fact that you have the power to resist the temptation.

Mat 26:36 (NIV) Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Jesus was getting ready for the temptation He was about to face; He was applying the ask, seek, and knock principle to His life. Mat 26:37 (NIV) He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Peter got special treatment as Jesus made sure he was close enough to hear what He said and saw what He was doing to handle this temptation He was facing.

Mat 26:38-39 (NIV) Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” He was giving Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, the assignment of keeping watch with Him; but, they failed at their assignment. When they failed at keeping watch, they failed with being tempted. It is what we do before we are tempted that decides what we do when we are tempted.

Mat 26:40 (NIV) Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. See how He focused in on Peter, who was about to face a major crisis in his life? That is the kind of training and warnings He is giving you so you won’t have faith in yourself. Right now the Holy Spirit is speaking to you and encouraging you to pray this prayer on a daily basis so you won’t end up facing something you aren’t ready for; but, you can skip it, if you want to.

This next step Jesus took got right down to the issues of prayer: Mat 26:41 (NIV) “Watch and pray SO THAT you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” This was Peter’s final warning and he still didn’t respond to the teaching and warnings of Jesus. His self-esteem and self-confidence were keeping him from realizing he had a need. Peter was sure he had this issue covered; he was sure his commitment to Jesus was strong enough to keep him from failing the test. As you know, Peter failed the temptation and Jesus had to give him special care and training to get him back on his feet.

If you are ready to start being set free from yielding to these and other temptations to hurt yourself, those around you, and God’s plan, then pray this portion of this prayer. Say: “Lead us not into temptation.” Now add any additional prayers and pray over any additional Scriptures that you feel will help you face the temptations in your life.