Thou knowest the infirmity of our Nature, and the temptations which surround us. Be thou merciful, Oh Heavenly Father! to Creatures so formed and situated.
Jane Austen
In Sense and Sensibility, Elinor and Marianne are quite different in their outlook on life, their opinions, and their emotional makeup. Where Elinor is sensible and level-headed, Marianne is romantic, full of feeling, and sees the world in full color. However, though they are unalike in many ways, Elinor and Marianne know one another uniquely and intimately.
When Willoughby bursts onto the scene, full of “youth, beauty, and elegance,” interested in her sister, Elinor is immediately on guard.[1] She knows the “infirmity of [Marianne’s] Nature,” her weaknesses, and her temptations. Elinor is wary of Marianne’s quick attachment to Willoughby as he steadily becomes her “most exquisite enjoyment.”[2] Elinor watches, she waits, she cautions. And when everything eventually falls apart, she consoles and comforts.
Jane’s prayer reminds us that God knows our unique weaknesses and frailties, that he knows “the infirmity of our Nature, and the temptations which surround us” better than anyone else. He gave us our breath and spirit (Isaiah 42:5) and knows our emotional makeup, our thoughts, our past, our failures, our habits, and our perceptions. He knows our blind spots and the things that are likely to turn our heads and catch our eyes. Jane comes to her “Heavenly Father,” to the one who knows her best, to ask for his compassion on “Creatures so formed and situated.”
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:13–14
We read that Willoughby is “exactly formed to engage Marianne’s heart” (emphasis mine).[3] And the same is true for each of us: We are each susceptible to certain people and things that are “exactly formed” to capture our unique interests and attractions. Just as Marianne delights in Willoughby’s “good abilities, quick imagination, lively spirits, and open, affectionate manners,”[4] we each delight in specific character traits, personalities, and aesthetics.
The Bible says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13). It also says that all temptation stems from one of three core issues: “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life” (1 John 2:16). The desires of the flesh consist of sinful activities that focus on physical and emotional pleasure. The desires of the eye concern anything sinful we view or anything we covet with our eyes. Lastly, the pride of life comes in the form of success and the desire for importance, privilege, and power.
Guarding our hearts is essential in the face of temptation. Just as Jane prayed for God’s mercy on “Creatures so formed,” we can ask for God’s help in our weak spots. Jesus tells us exactly what to do to guard our hearts: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Rather than play offense when temptations hit, we need to play defense and guard our eyes and ears from the things that can pollute our minds and hearts.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
Psalm 119:9
Invitation to Pray
Temptation manifests itself in a myriad of subtle ways. The desire of the flesh often disguises itself as a juicy piece of gossip, a tasty treat, a puff of smoke, or a vent of anger. The desire of the eyes sometimes sneaks up when a friend moves into a new house, gets married, or has a baby. The pride of life can hit with a vengeance when we see someone doing the work we want to do or getting the accolades we want to hear.
Guarding our hearts includes thinking carefully about what we listen to, look at, watch, and read, as well as who we spend time with. It’s important to pray for discernment, asking God to show us the people and activities that draw us closer to God and those that push us away and distract us. As you pray now, ask God to help you see your vulnerabilities and guard your heart.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father, you know me through and through. I don’t have to hide from you. Instead, I can come to you anytime, anywhere. Lord, make me aware of the situations that spark my temptations and help me to avoid them. Please purify my heart and my mind. Show me what Bible verse I can store in my mind today. I ask now for your mercy and help in this area of temptation: [your specific needs]. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 niv
From Praying with Jane by Rachel Dodge, published by Bethany House Publishers. Used by permission.
[1] Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 42.
[2] Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 48.
[3] Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 48.
[4] Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 48
Listen to “Persuasion”
by Jane Austen
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