Jesus Had To Refocus

We are going a little deeper into this issue of the struggle we have with our will.

One scripture that encourages me when I think about the struggle that I have with my own will is found in Hebrews, chapter 4 and verse 15

[Heb 4:15 NLT] This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

We all are tempted to do what we want to do.

We have been trained by the culture that we live in: Do what comes natural or whatever feels right.

Even as Christians we say, "oh brother you have to follow “peace”".

There have been times in my past that I have followed what I thought was “peace” and I found out later that it was what I wanted to do. I had to admit that it was only my will and not the Lord’s will at all.

We could also say it was the path of least resistance.

Here’s what we say many times, “Lord, if this door opens in front of me, I know it’s you” or “I’m going to submit this application and if I get a favorable response I’ll know it’s You.”

This is tempting to do in a moment where we don’t know what to do and we feel like we need to do something, now.

Our goal should be to know what He wants us to do in every situation.

Remember this: It is easy to justify your ideas and your flesh to the Lord.

One way that the enemy tempts us is to give us a good idea and convince us that it came from God just because it is a good idea.

God doesn’t want us to do something just because it is good…He wants us to do the right thing because He told us specifically to do it.

After all wasn’t Jesus tempted to doing something other than drinking the cup?

He asked the Father 3 times - Is there any other way that we can do this besides the cup?

“So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.” (Matthew 26:44, NKJV)

“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”” (Matthew 26:39, NKJV)

Jesus was not doubting the Father’s will…He was confirming and declaring to Himself that He was going to do all that the Father was asking Him to do.

And the lesson for His disciples was - The spirit wants to do the Father’s will but the flesh is weak…

You’ve got to exercise the power of the spirit over the flesh in order to do the Father’s will. This is done in prayer!

How did Jesus pass the test?
He had to refocus on what He knew that the Father wanted Him to do. He went back 3 times.

Let’s make a confession today -
I refuse the temptation to take a short cut and justify my ideas to God. I will not expect Him to agree to my plan. I trust Him with my whole heart and will not depend on my own ideas. I will refocus on God’s will for my life and not suggest another way. He knows best and His will be done in my life today!