Why we should always be sober and vigilant

Being sober means showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice; unhurried, calm; marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness.

On the other hand, the word vigilant means to be very careful to notice any signs of danger or trouble. In other words, it means to be alert or watchful.

God instructs the born-again believers to be sober and vigilant because we have an adversary, the devil, who walks around seeking whom he may devour. Seeking whom he may devour means Satan doesn’t devour everybody but only those who give him a foothold by opening to him some doors by not resisting him steadfast in the faith.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” 

1 Peter 5:8-9.

Four reasons we should be vigilant about the devil are:

1. He is a liar (John 8:44): He deceived Eve leading to the fall of man. God’s very good creation was corrupted through satan’s lies. (Genesis 3:5). He again used deception to thwart the redemptive mission of Jesus but Jesus averted his plans by declaring God’s Word. (Matthew 4:3). Satan aims to frustrate God’s purpose in humanity by inciting them to rebel against God.
2. He is a murderer (John 8:44): He wants to bring an everlasting death to God’s creation. (John 10:10). Hebrews 2:14 says that he holds the power of death. He exploits human sin through temptation and accusations to bring about the death of men and women — ministries, marriages, projects, …
3. He is an accuser: He accused Job before God. (Job 1:9-10, Zechariah 3:1-2, Revelation 12:10).
4. He is the tempter: (Matthew 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:5).

Despite these satan’s attributes, believers in Jesus have conquered him because Jesus already conquered on their behalf on the cross through His death, resurrection and ascension.

How to overcome the devil’s agenda

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” 

Revelation 12:10-11.

The above scriptures mention the first three points listed below on how to overcome Satan’s schemes. The fourth point is from the following scriptures.

“These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

1 John 2:26-27.

We overcome:

1. By the blood of Jesus. By the mention of the blood of Jesus, Satan flees.
2. By the word of our testimony. When we declare our victory over Satan through Jesus Christ, the enemy flees.
3. By not loving our lives unto the death — fully rooted in Christ, focused on faithfully bearing witness, and ready to take up the cross and die.
4. By the anointing of the Holy Spirit in us who teaches us everything.

We have to believe that Satan has already been completely defeated. We must then enforce his defeat. Satan’s only weapon is the power of deception. This realisation enables us to fight a good fight of faith, battling against the schemes of the devil but not the devil himself, or the people who are being used by the devil. Fighting a proxy battle that has already been won.

Sober and vigilant Christians are:

1. Not easily lured and carried away by the pleasures of this world.
2. Not tossed to and fro by every storm.
3. Aware of their identity and position in Jesus Christ.
4. Alert to Satan’s schemes.
5. Aware of the nature of the battle and the battlefield.
6. Submissive to God.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7.

Amen!

We’re more than conquerors.