“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
To watch is to be alert-understanding the Lord’s will. Paul says to offer your body as a living sacrifice in Romans 12:1. Your life is to be offered to God, So as you watch, be offering yourself to God, ready for what He says and asks you to do. Paul continues in verse 2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Watching and being alert is to continue transforming your mind, not live by what the world says. We must always avoid thoughts and beliefs that would keep us away from God and His son, Jesus. What are you thinking about? Never think about issues that are against the words of Jesus. We must be alert and stay watching. There is no vacation from our thinking.
Sin quickly sets in and deceives us. Over time we allow certain beliefs, attitudes, and thoughts to come in and take over our minds. We accept these as everyday thoughts because most people think this way. You must have a spiritual understanding of things and issues you are facing. Never be lazy in your mind. Be alert! Be watching what you are doing. To move forward with Jesus and His life in you, you must remove those lies that keep you from moving forward.
Our faith must be tested to be authentic. No person will risk his life with an object without first testing if it is safe. The same is true of our faith. Is our faith in Jesus genuine and able to save and deliver us from sin and hell? Can our faith in Jesus give us eternal life? Can our faith in Jesus bring us into a relationship with our Heavenly Father? The work of the Holy Spirit is to bring us into a close love and understanding of Jesus, to bring growth and completeness to us. When issues and circumstances come, the Holy Spirit will bring to you the Word of God. What will you do? Walk in faith and believe Jesus or take what the world says, or what you once did? To stand alert and be watchful is to be steadfast in your faith in Jesus and to decide you will obey God and not what your mind is thinking. In faith, we go through with God in our circumstances. We are not looking to get out or for someone to rescue us. We are standing, watching, looking, and believing in God. Being alert and standing in faith will mature us and bring us deeper discipleship.
[As adapted from The Bondage Breaker and Stomping Out The Darkness by Dr. Neil Anderson and Dr. Dave Park.]