1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise].
The previous verses refer to us, believers, as being of the ‘light’ and not held captive to spiritual darkness. Therefore, we should not be asleep (in spiritual indifference). We need to live our lives ‘awake’, ‘alert’ and ever ‘aware’ of the state the world is in—the spiritual darkness, lawlessness, perversion, corruption, oppression and self-centerdness that is all around us. We need to be aware of the ongoing actions of Satan in this world—not only in non-believers but also toward unsuspecting believers.
When we live aware of the deterioration of society and the spiritual implication of world events, it should compel us to drop to our knees and pray. If we have a more blasé attitude to the moral decline of our world, then we need to ask God to open our spiritual eyes to see as He sees!
We need to live in the ‘light’ so that we will clearly see the deeds of darkness—living spiritually ‘wide-eyed’. Our spiritual antenna needs to always be up—always in-tune to our heavenly Father. We must live our lives soberly, that is, being self-controlled, calm and wise. If we live this way, we will not become a victim of the world’s mindset and fall into the grip of Satan. We will, instead, live alert and cautious, guided by the Holy Spirit. We will have God’s wisdom and discernment. This comes as a result of living in communion with God, listening to Him and aligning our thinking and beliefs to His Word—we then will recognize the lies and deceit of the enemy. We are children of the light, not of the darkness, because of our union with Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must live as children of the ‘light’.
It is time now, like never before, for all of us to wake up from spiritual indifference and apathy. We need to ask for God’s help to be mindful of this and to guard ourselves from falling prey to spiritual indifference and complacency. We must lift our eyes to Jesus and not lag in spiritual zeal, but be enthusiastic, burning with the Spirit!
