BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT!
STAY SOBER, STAY VIGILANT!
As we proceed through the Lenten season, many people continue in sober reflection and meditation. Quite honestly though, these are spiritual practices that should not be reserved exclusively for Lent.
The Bible clearly says:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
This should be our constant state. The devil does not give notice that he is coming to devour anyone. Therefore we must always remain in a place of sobriety and vigilance, no matter who we are or how long we have been walking with Christ.
Some time ago, I came across a scripture that rattled me to my very core:
“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.” Luke 22:3 (KJV)
Please read that again.
“Then entered Satan into Judas…”
Judas was a disciple of Jesus Christ. He was with Jesus day in and day out. They travelled together constantly. He knew Jesus intimately because they spent so much time together, just as the other disciples did—Peter, James, and even John the beloved. Judas was one of the twelve. Judas was a close confidant.
Yet Satan entered him.
This is one of the deepest and most sobering things I have ever read in scripture.
Let us always remember that every scripture is given for our instruction. This reminds us that no one should ever assume they are beyond temptation. If a man who walked daily with Jesus could fall into such deception, then we too must remain sober and vigilant. God forbid that we should ever give Satan room in our lives. Amen.
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” — 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
Satan can manipulate people, and he is extremely deceptive. In fact, deceit is his greatest weapon.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:11 (KJV)
According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, the word “wiles” means “clever, cunning, or deceitful tricks, strategies, or charms used to persuade, entice, or manipulate someone into doing something.”
Satan is so deceitful that one must remain extremely vigilant in order not to fall victim to his demonic strategies.
Sadly, by the time Judas realised that he had been tricked and used by the devil, it was far too late. He compounded the tragedy by hanging himself.
Judas did not resist the devil. He should have.
It is written:
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)
It appears that there are many ways through which Satan can gain entry into a person’s life. I will group them into three:
By what we see
By what we hear
By what we say
And all three are largely influenced by the company we keep.
The Bible version that says this most plainly for me is this:
“Don’t fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you.” — 1 Corinthians 15:33 (CEV)
That is exactly what happened to Judas. How can you have a friend like Jesus and still be keeping company with scammers?
They led Judas to betray his friend and master, and when the evil deed was done, they abandoned him.
“I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.”
“What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” — Matthew 27:4 (NLT)
Yes, we might be very active in church and in church groups—but what happens when we leave?
Are we still running with people who knowingly defraud others?
Are we still hanging out with the night crawlers?
Are we still associating with those who visit the “Babas” for a little extra protection?
Do we spend time with people who destroy homes and marriages?
Are we flirting with married or single women while our darling wives are at home?
What are we watching?
Are we on Netflix moving from one soap opera to another?
Or endlessly scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube shorts?
Do we sit all day complaining about the state of the nation or about foreign affairs? And while doing so, are we constantly confessing negativity and prophesying gloom and doom?
It is time to pay attention to what we consume.
Yes, there are challenges everywhere. And while we acknowledge that things may not be perfect right now, we must also remember that some people are looking for ways to rise above the difficulties and find solutions.
Let us not become so carried away by sentiments that we fail to notice when Satan is trying to enter.
He comes only to do three things:
Kill.
Steal.
Destroy.
But Jesus has come that we may have life — and have it more abundantly.
It is better then to remain close to Jesus.
STAY SOBER, STAY VIGILANT!
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS ©