There is no doubt that we are in a critical time in the history of mankind. We are fighting invisible war. This is the reason the Bible tells us in Ephesians 6.12 that our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. But glory be to God that He, being our defender, is also invisible (1 Timothy 6:16). We are not alone in the battle (2 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).However, we need to be clear about the situation in which we are fighting. We need to have a proper understanding concerning where we are and where the enemy is (1 Corinthians 9:26). We need to see how the enemy is attacking and how we should fight back. This is why sobriety and prayer are necessary. Hence, 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 declares:
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
If the basic structure of the Christian life (faith, hope and love) as given in 1 Corinthians 13:13, is to be protected, the breastplate is needed to protect our faith and love while the helmet is needed to guard our hope.
Caused by the devil or not, the situation at hand requires us to be alert in the spirit, watchful and prayerful (Matthew 26:41). After all, every evil happening is the remote cause of the devil (John 10:10a) whether it is a judgement from God or not.
Since God did not appoint us to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9), we should watch, be sober, and fight through prayer to cooperate with God that we may gain His salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hence, the month of April is declared “OUR MONTH OF SOBERNESS OF HEART AND PRAYER.” Glory be to God!
Brethren let us walk circumspectly and be wise to redeem the time seeing that the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). Let he that is sleeping, sleep no more, he that is drunken, drink no more but be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, is walking about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He not get us in Jesus name.
Bible passages: Ephesians 5:15-16, 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:16, 2 Corinthians 2:14, 10:4-5, 1 Corinthians 9:26, 13:13, Matthew 26:41, John10:10a, 1 Thessalonians 5: 6-9, 1 Peter 5:8.
