We all have responsibilities that we're tasked with taking care of and expectations that we're expected to fulfil. With so much demanded of us at work, in our homes and in our relationships, it's not hard to find that these many things requiring significant amounts of our attention can sometimes distract us from the commands given to us by God. It might be a busy work life that's getting in the way of us keeping an eye on the progress (or lack thereof) of our spiritual life or events in our personal life that have caused us to put it on the back burner, but we all must remain watchful.
Here are three things that we should be stay spiritually awake to monitor.
Our behaviour
Bad habits can creep up on us and before we know it we're further away from God than we ever thought we'd be. Maintaining an awareness of our spiritual growth – how good we perform as an ambassador of Christ and how well we act to display the fruits of the Spirit are all key in making sure that our actions are aligned with our faith.
Luke 21:36 - "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Luke 21:34 - "But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap."
1 Thessalonians 5:6 - So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
Our enemy
We can't afford to be ignorant when it comes to what is our enemy. Those who try and tempt us or distract us from fulfilling our purpose and pursuing God should have no place in our lives. However, we can sometimes unwillingly invite them in. That's why it's essential that we stay vigilant about who or what is acting as an obstacle as we strive to draw closer to Jesus.
1 Peter 5:8 - Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Our Saviour's return
We don't know when Jesus will come again but that doesn't mean we have an excuse to take a laid back approach to following his instructions. The lack of knowledge about precisely when He will return is even more reason to stay watchful in the meantime.
Matthew 24:3-5 - As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many."
Matthew 24:42-44 - Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
