Sleepy Christianity

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 26:12, So David took the spear and the jug of water by Saul’s head, and they got away; and no man saw or knew it or awoke. For they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen on them.

Although the sleep Saul and his men experienced was from the Lord, and was a sleep that protected David, it also serves as a reminder of what happens when we, as born-again believers, fail to remain vigilant in our walk with Christ Jesus. Saul, being fast asleep, lost the two things he needed in order to survive on his journey and on the battle field; his spear (which was for his defense) and his water (which was for his comfort and physical refreshment). How often have we put ourselves in a position of spiritual harm and loss of comfort because we were asleep spiritually? How often have we failed to prepare for the day by neglecting prayer, the Word of God, and went out into the world without first putting on our spiritual armor? Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us what we need in order to avoid falling victim to the devils’ trickery. It reads, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—“. Before Jesus was crucified He went to Garden of Gethsemane to pray. When He arrived, He asked his disciples to pray with Him, but instead they fell asleep. When He returned to where they were and found them asleep, He said to Peter in Matthew 26:40-41, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The Apostle Peter later warned us in 1 Peter 5:8-9 to remain vigilant of the devil’s desire to devour us. He wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” Far too many of us have shipwrecked our faith because we have fallen asleep spiritually. We have resorted to quick, ten second, mini prayers, reduced our Bible reading time to maybe one verse a day, and are dying of thirst even though Jesus has provided us with Living Water. The result of sleepy Christianity has left our world and society wanting. We have compromised our faith, and failed to stand up for what is right in God’s eyes. I am not talking about going out and protesting about this issue or that one. I am talking about taking a personal stand for living out what it right in our own lives so that we are living a life of worship before the eyes of our Lord and Savior. We are continually defeated by sin, as we give in to temptation over and over again, and cannot figure out why we keep stumbling. Our superficial confessions with no real repentance keep us on the “hamster wheel” of sin. We neglect the fact that we are walking around like spiritual zombies because we fail to seek God as we should. We give priority to sporting events over gathering with other believers at our local churches. We give priority to making money, gathering earthly riches and chasing the short-lived success the world has to offer, rather than putting some of that energy toward serving the Lord. Our churches have compromised the truth in order not to offend, and we have gone the way of the world in our attempts to win the world. How is that working for us? The fact of the matter is that we are losing the battle because we are under-dressed. We lack in prayer, study of the Word, and fail miserably at making sure we are suited up for the everyday battles we face. It is recommended that we get at least eight hours of sleep per night in order to stay physically and emotionally healthy. However, in order to stay spiritually healthy, we must not fall asleep. Let us stay vigilant, active in prayer and the study of God’s Word, and go out to battle each day clothed in the Spiritual Armor we have been given, which is Christ Jesus Himself.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).