I’m still working on memorizing Ephesians 6:18. There are so many truths packed in this verse. This phrase ‘being watchful’ took me on a trail. Let’s visit Jesus in the garden. As we read Luke 22:39-46, we see that it involves being watchful in prayer.

In verse 40 Jesus instructed Peter, James, and John, “…Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Then He withdrew from them to pray. When He rose up from prayer, verse 45 says, “…He found them sleeping from sorrow.”

Do you ever take a nap when you are overwhelmed? Verse 46 says, “…Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” Matthew 26:41 gives us a clue about being watchful. It says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

The Greek for watch means to be on the alert, and vigilant. Peter warned his readers to be sober and vigilant. 1 Peter 5:8. The tempter is always at work, scheming how he can lead us into temptation.