Advantage of Knowing One's Weak Point
Mark 14:38
Watch you and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.


It is the interest of every man not to hide from himself his ailment. What would you think of a man who was sick, and attempted to make himself believe that it was his foot that was ailing, when it was his heart? Suppose a man should come to his physician and have him examine the wrong eye, and pay for the physician's prescription, founded on the belief that his eye was slightly but not much damaged, and should go away, saying, "I am a great deal happier than I was," although the doctor had not looked at the diseased eye at all? If a man should have a cancer, or a deadly sore, on one arm, and should refuse to let the physician see that, but should show him the well arm, he would imitate what men do who use all deceits and delusions to hide their moral sores and weaknesses and faults, as far as possible, from themselves, from all persons, and then congratulate themselves that they are not in danger. Watchfulness requires that a man should be honest, and should know where he is, and where his danger is. Let others set their watch where they need it, and you set yours where you need it. Each man's watchfulness should be according to his temperament and constitution.

(H. W. Beecher.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

WEB: Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."




The Sleeping Apostle
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