Don’t Get Dragged Away

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:14-15 

Garden of Gethsemane
Jerusalem, Israel

Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go over there to pray." He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!" Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, "My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done." Matthew 26:36-42

Meditate. Consider desires and temptation.

 

Did Jesus desire not to go to the cross be considered a temptation? He prayed three times, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. He was certainly submissive to God’s will. We know how He obediently went to the cross—He followed God’s will, His plan. He was without sin.

What desires do you have that can lead you to sin? Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. That temptation can result in sin. Can we be sinless like Jesus? Choices make the difference. Don’t get dragged away.

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, God didn’t take the cup of death on the cross from You, so

thank You for Your obedience and for Your sacrifice. Help each of us to be more like You, day by day.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12

 

What can we learn from this about Jesus, about life, and about God?

 

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

 

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories