"And what I say unto you I say unto all, WATCH"—Mark 13:37

Watchfulness is referred to in the scriptures as being vigilant and being awake. Watchfulness means to be awake: both literally and figuratively. It means to be vigilant: literally and figuratively. It means to walk circumspectly (Eph 5:15). It means to be physically and spiritually sensitive. It means spiritual consciousness and alertness.

Many a Christian treat their spiritual walk with the Lord with so much laxity. They are so care-free with their walk with the Lord. And as such, they easily fall into the snare of the devil. Although the Lord instructs us to be careful for nothing; but that has to do with anxiety. We are to be anxious for nothing.

However, the Bible instructs us to be spiritually sensitive. Hence, such words as: Watch, Awake, Vigilant, Take heed and walk circumspectly were used in the scriptures.

What are we to Watch out for?

1)   Watch out for Deceivers: "Take heed that no man deceive you" –Matthew 24:4. Every believer should be cautious of deceivers- which have been around since the time of the early church, till date (1 John 2:18-19). These are false prophets and teachers. Some of them are just heretics.

A care-free believer, no matter his level of spiritual growth, can fall for any of these deceivers. Many a believer have fallen and are still falling for these end-time miscreants. To discern them, the Bible says, by their fruits we shall know them—Matthew 7: 16, 20. Then again the Bible says, "no one speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed ...

The Bible also says, no man can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit"—1 Corinthians 12:3. So any Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Pastor or Evangelist-- who does not draw attention to Jesus, but rather to himself or other entity, is a false prophet.

2)   Watch unto Righteousness: "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame"—1Corinthians 15:34. A Christian should awake or should watch unto righteousness, in order to live above sin.

That is to say, at all times, everywhere and at all situation, he/she should be righteousness conscious. He should be conscious of his sainthood. He should be conscious of the fact that he is the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus—2 Corinthians 5:21.

And that consciousness should inform his choice of words and actions in every situation, at every given point in time. It is this consciousness that will make the Christian walk perfectly in (and with) the Spirit. And consequently, it will make him to live above the works of the flesh—sin (Gal 5:16).

3)   Watch Out for The Second Coming of Christ:  "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly and he find you sleeping"—Mark 13: 35-36. No one knows the exact time of Christ's second coming. But at the same time, the day an individual dies, is the day Jesus comes for him. Because the Bible says, after death comes Judgment (Heb 9:27).

Anytime an individual dies, he either goes to paradise (heaven) to be with the Lord (Philippians 1:23) or he goes to hell (Gehena) –Luke 16:20-31. Hence, the Lord admonishes us to be watchful or cautious of his second coming. At all times, we should be prepared for the Lord's second coming, both in our actions and words.

If we fall into any sin, we should quickly ask for forgiveness and repent of it, with the cautiousness of Christ's sudden appearance. Either at his physical coming or his coming at our death; which most of the time, we may not also know the time.

4)   Watch out for the devil's devices: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same affliction are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world"—1 Pet 5:9. As believers in Christ, we're not to be afraid of the devil or any of his cohorts. Because Christ has defeated them for us—Colossians 2:15.

And he has given us authority over them—Mark 6:7. Yet they are still fighting till date. Especially, fighting our faith through their devices and wiles—2 Corinthians 2: 11. Their ultimate aim is to take you out of the way of truth (2 Thes 2: 7). So you can fall into sin or error. So they can gain a legal ground against you in order to destroy you.

Some of these devices which they employ all the time in order to devour the believer, are: vain thoughts and imaginations; and direct spiritual combat in dreams and other means. In order to weaken our faith and take advantage of us. Hence, the word of God admonishes us to be vigilant or to be sensitive against these their evil devices.

And as we detect all these evil devices, as an antidote, the Bible says we're to cast down the vain imaginations they bring to our minds—2 Corinthians 10: 5. We are to resist them steadfastly in the faith. That is, fighting the fight of faith. And we're to do these by standing on the word of God. Equipping ourselves with the whole amour of God; and through Spirit powered prayers, etc...—Eph 6: 18.

5)   Watch unto Prayer: "But the end of all things is at hand: be therefore sober minded, and watch unto prayer"—1 Peter 4:7. Amongst several other things, we are to watch unto prayers. We are to always ensure our prayer life is on top flight.

The scriptures instruct us to pray without ceasing. We are also instructed to watch and pray. Another particular scripture says, continue in prayer—Col 4:2. Then ultimately, our Lord Jesus tells us to watch and pray, so we do not fall into temptation—(Mark 14:38). If he says so, then it certainly means that a prayerless Christian, is a powerless and vulnerable Christian. So again I say, watch and pray.

Pray even when you do not feel like praying--that is supernatural wisdom.

Remain Blessed!

Emeke Odili.