Be Watchful -1. An Introduction

What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ (Mark 13:37 NIV)

In the scriptures, we are exhorted by the Lord and His apostles, to be ‘watchful’, ‘sober’, ‘alert’, and ‘ready’ at all times. Watchfulness implies impending danger. In this age people have grown increasingly disconnected from the realities of life, desensitised to the profusion of evil in society, and, drawn into a virtual world created by the social media. A great cloud of passivity has descended on whole communities. We fear what we should not fear, while ignoring the more serious dangers, which are often spiritual in nature.

When the media raises the spectre of nuclear war, a shattered economy or climate change, people are alarmed, but we ignore more serious problems – growing loneliness among the elderly, sexual immorality and various addictions among teenagers, high rates of divorce and children growing up in broken homes – which result when society turns its backs on God, and ultimately weaken the social fabric of communities. We are increasingly cut off from the suffering of our neighbour. Sadly, many churches lack the wherewithal to withstand enemy attacks; having embraced a form of godliness that denies the power of the gospel to transform individual lives and communities.

Yet, two thousand years ago, we were warned that such things would happen. Christ has called His church to remain in a state of high alert, like watchmen guarding the walls around nations, being ready to raise the alarm and confront the enemy. When Christians, as individuals or as a body, yield to apathy and spiritual drowsiness, there is nothing left to protect families, communities and nations from enemy attack.

The purpose of spiritual vigilance is two-fold:

1. We ought to be on our guard against the darts of the enemy sent to destabilise us -as individuals or at the corporate level – and wreck our spiritual lives.
2. We ought to work to prepare for the end times and the return of Christ

It is essential to find a balanced response to the things that are happening all around us. As Christians, we live beneath God’s sheltering wings, and enjoy His wonderful protection. We must not live in a state of fear and anxiety; equally we should guard against complacency and spiritual laziness. God’s protection often takes the form of warning signals issued by the Holy Spirit to alert us to the danger looming ahead; so we must keep awake, watchful in prayer to receive these signals. God shows us the way out of various problems, and leads us to undertake specific actions to protect ourselves, our families, and the church. Unless we are vigilant to ward off the enemy’s darts; we could find ourselves weakened, or struggling when danger comes our way.

The scripture highlights 5 areas that Christians ought to pay special attention to, in order to maintain the integrity of our spiritual walk. These areas, while distinct, tend to overlap in many respects –

1. False teaching
2. Condition of our hearts
3. Divisions within the church
4. The Devil
5. The day of the Lord.

Some of the coming posts will be devoted to the study of Christian watchfulness, as we look at each of these areas.

Father, thank You for Your protection in this age of peril. Help us to remain alert and watchful, against all danger and deception, as we prepare for the second coming of Your Son. Protect us by the power of Your name. Amen.

Take My Lips

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)

David and his son, Solomon, as kings of Israel, were deeply aware of the importance of saying the right things at the right time. “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” Psalm 39:1 (NLT)

All relationships are built around words. Some words are remembered years after they were spoken, sometimes, years after the speaker has passed away – because of the effect those words had on the soul of the hearer. Thoughtless words are known to have created a permanent rift between two persons, whose lives, otherwise, might have been a source of mutual blessing. “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” James 3:5 (ESV).

On the other hand, words used rightly have great power and may even change the course of a person’s life. Tactful and conciliatory language makes lives easy for everyone concerned. “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” Proverbs 25:15 (ESV).

In a Christian, an uncontrolled or quarrelsome tongue is a sign of immaturity, of spiritual childishness. So, we should learn to reflect on the effect of our words. Over the years, we should 1. try and grow out of bad habits of the tongue, and 2. practise saying kind, encouraging and positive words. Yes, it does take practice, and practice makes perfect. “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” James 3:2 (NLT)

Often, it is great wisdom to ignore slights and cruel words intended to upset us. In our speech, more than in anything else, we ought to turn the other cheek. Very difficult to do, of course, but as we press on, trusting Jesus and refusing to accept defeat, we will get there.

A tamed tongue can help us enjoy a peaceful life. By refusing to speak negative words and by confessing scripture verses to counter negative feelings, we will gain the victory. We should do this, not because we fear people, but because we wish to be imitators of Jesus, who held His peace before His accusers (Mark 14:62 KJV).

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” Psalm 141:3 (ESV). When I am hurt by the words of others, let me turn to You for comfort. Help me to change the way I say things, so that my words have a positive impact on people’s lives. Fill my mind with wisdom and my heart with peace; help me to speak  words that edify. Let my conversation be full of grace, and not cause anyone unnecessary pain. In Jesus’ name.”