APAD: The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Meaning: This expression can be taken to mean either that the person is too weak

to resist a temptation presented, or too lacking in energy to complete a task

 

- Bible: Mathew 26:41

 

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is

willing, but the body is weak." (New International Version)

 

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is

willing, but the flesh is weak." (KJV)

 

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It's interesting that the Bible does not say "brace up, you slacker" or "steel

yourself, you blackguard" but simply "watch and pray." It seems to touch a sore

point: man cannot alone overcome temptation and needs God's help.