If you knew the most likely place a thief might strike, how would you react? Research shows that the front door and first-floor window are the most common places burglars enter homes. However, I read recently that in spite of this information:
49% of people leave windows open; 37% leave their front door open.
The Bible warns believers of an adversary they must be on guard against:
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
When you consider that the Bible speaks of a Christian marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His church, don't you think the devil will seek to deface that picture? When you consider that the Bible says that children are a gift from God, and that they have been given to us to raise in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, don't you think that the devil will do all he can do to prevent us from succeeding? The devil hopes we will not be sober-minded or watchful.
In ancient society, cities were surrounded by walls, and on these walls were watchmen. Watchmen were assigned the task of standing guard and warning of impending danger. These men were respected, trustworthy individuals. To be sure this wasn't a job for a lazy, distracted man. For if they failed the whole city would suffer destruction.
God used the imagery of the watchmen in Scripture:
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. (Isa 62:6)
We understand this basic idea, don't we? We have locks, alarms, security cameras, but when it comes to the souls of our loved ones - these things will never provide sufficient protection. Men are needed, dependable watchmen who sacrifice for what they value - men who are sober-minded and watchful.
In the above text, Peter is giving a military picture: "Be sober-minded; be watchful..." To be sober-minded is to not be intoxicated by the things of this world - even good things! In other words, don't give yourself to too much. When Peter says, "be watchful" it is be very watchful. One must keep their eyes on the danger points, all the while battling spiritual sluggishness.
Why? Because our adversary is on the prowl, seeking someone (your daughter, your son) to devour (literally; to drink down).
Men - take your place!
Pastor Van
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