Be Watchful!

In 1 Corinthians 16:13:14, Paul gives men 5 quick challenges (read them…takes no more than a minute). The very first one, is to be “watchful” or “alert.” He knows that there is a constant battle going on and there is never, not one moment that we stop being alert. Let’s do a quick inventory of some things that we are watchful for:

Ephesians 6 describes an indication of the devil’s presence as “the flaming arrows of the evil one.” What is the devil’s aim with these “flaming arrows?” “Anxiety, fear, anger, envy, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, bitterness and envy” are a short list mentioned in the Bible. The Bible says clearly in Philippians 4:6 “to be anxious in nothing.” 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Hebrews 12:15 commands for us to “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians commands in chapter 6:16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.

1 Peter 5:7b gives another description of the presence of the devil, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The devil is noisy. When you see peace in your personal life, the life of your family, church fellowship or business life sucked out by something that creates emotional, mental noise or chaos, I can assure that this is the devil. Be watchful. Psalm 46:10 says for us to “Be still and know that I am God.”

Never forget the devil’s subtle strategy to lure us into the things of this world 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. Galatians 5 names some of results of this tact, “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” 1 Timothy 6 warns us to be watchful in verse 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

The bible tells us in John 8:44 that the devil is “the father of lies…that’s just his nature.” Temptation and deception are the first two pieces of his strategy. Then, once he lures you to sin, he accuses you. What an ugly, hurtful vice grip he gets us into. Temptation and deception on the front side and accusation on the backside.

Continuously, be watchful!