Sober and Vigilant
What it means to be Sober and Vigilant
In these difficult times, many people think to be sober and vigilant means staying informed of what is going on in the world via news feed. But constant “breaking news” (mostly bad) can wear us down and dull our spiritual sense.
There was a time when I seldom watched television or listened to the news. Amazingly, I sensed what was going on all the time—from a spiritual standpoint. And, of course, that is the perspective that matters. I still try to limit input from news sources, but find myself adding some items from these sources to my prayer list.
Need for Prayer and Fasting
We must align our hearts with God’s heart and mind in every circumstance. Intimate worship and prayer (with fasting) will facilitate this.
Fasting will shut down your body’s voice, which shouts to be fed, stimulated, and comforted. And it will quiet your soul (mind, will, emotions, desires) so you can hear the voice of God more clearly and be more attuned to spiritual things. Prayer with fasting will impress us to stop the worldly obsession with self and loving the world’s things and be concerned about the multitudes who will die and go into an eternity without God if we don’t intervene and pray for them.
And, when you fast and pray, especially praying in the spirit, God will show you things going on in you, your family, and the world.
Stay Sober and Vigilant
With so much tumult in the world around us, God’s people must be sober and vigilant.
Sober means to be balanced; have a sound mind; temperate; and free from intoxicants, which control and alter us physically and mentally and can poison our system. And, they are destructive. We need to be free from intoxicating drinks, drugs, illicit sex, and people who seek to control, manipulate, and poison our life.
Vigilant means to stay awake, be spiritually alert, and be keenly watchful for danger or trouble.
The bible says that our adversary, the devil, roams about like a roaring lion, looking for prey—the weak, weary, undiscerning, and compromising. (1 Pet 5:8)
So, slam the door in the devil’s face. Declare: “Access Denied.” Gird yourself up with the spiritual armor God provides. And stay sober and vigilant.
Finally:
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thess 5:16-18
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[Scripture references: John 16:13; Heb 11:1; Mark 11:24; Rom 4:18]
How do you stay sober and vigilant? Post comments here.
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