Jump Start # 217

1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

  As Paul ends his first letter to the Corinthians, he sends out a rapid fire, bullet point admonition. Our verse contains four strong statement. They are connected and they support one another. Without each, the others cannot exist. You notice, Paul doesn’t go into detail. He doesn’t explain the “why’s”, the “how come’s” and such. He just puts it out there. Let’s give some thoughts to these:

• BE ON THE ALERT. Today, we’d say, “pay attention.” School teachers say that. Parents say that. Here, through the apostle, God is saying that. Peter used the same expression, “Be on the alert.” But Peter added, “the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Alert carries the idea of knowing what is going on around you. It is the reckless, the careless and those who walk through life asleep spiritually that get in trouble. When a person says, “I don’t see what’s wrong with…” It may be that they are asleep spiritually and are not alert. Even today, the Devil will throw darts at you. Do you recognize them? Sometimes they come packaged as a new and exciting TV show. Other times, Satan uses someone you know to influence you. He waits until you are vulnerable. He waits until you are tired. He waits until you are not sharp. Like a lion hiding in the tall grass, Satan can wait and wait a long time, watching you. He’ll try to snatch your marriage. He’ll try to chip away at your attitude. He’ll convince you that you’re missing out. He’ll mess with your head. He’ll parade hypocrites before you, to discourage you. He smiles when you lose your temper. But he waits. He watches. A bad day for you, is a good day for Satan. He moves a bit closer. Did you notice? He hopes not. Stress fills the day, and the lion moves closer. Fights with the kids, and he moves closer. Temptations pass our way and the lion moves a lot closer. He never takes his eye off of you. And what are we doing? We are the sheep. We are simply grazing on the grass of life, making a living, raising a family and trying to be decent people. Nothing special. We’re just common sheep. We’re not the superstars. We don’t grab the headlines. But Satan knows you are of value. He wants you. He watches. He waits.

  Being alert means being sharp. It is to recognize that things affect us and influence us. A steady diet of garbage and junk makes our attitudes stink. Being away from Jesus affects us. Paul says, “Be alert.” Don’t walk through life on auto pilot. Don’t just do what everyone else does.  Be sharp! Think first. Pray about things. Keep Christ right before you.

  You would never find a United States soldier on patrol among insurgents whistling and kicking rocks with his foot. No sir. He’s toast if that happens. He’s alert. Every movement grabs his attention. He’s trained. He’s looking. He’s careful. He’s prepared. He’s ready. He is alert! That’s what we expect from our surgeons. If the doctor comes in with a huge yawn, rubbing his eyes, we’d be looking for another surgeon. We want our pilots to be alert. And God wants His children to be alert.

  The lion is watching you. Do you see him?

Be alert!

Roger