“And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and they will lead many astray… ‘Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.'”
Matthew 24:4-5, 43-44
The Lord Jesus repeatedly told his disciples to stay awake and pay attention. He knew that deceivers and false prophets would try to creep into the early church to lead astray the unwary. The apostle Paul saw this happening and wrote many warnings as well.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared… Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness… Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
1 Timothy 4:1-2, 7, 15-16
In the early church, Jesus’ warnings proved true, and false teachers did try to sneak in and lead believers into a false gospel of salvation by works and adherence to the Old Testament Law. This was Paul’s warning to the elders at Ephesus:
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.”
Acts 20:28-31
Fierce wolves. Hungry for blood. Preying on the weak.
“Pay careful attention.” “Be alert.” “Stay awake.” “Be ready.” “Keep watch.”
These are exhortations to soldiers who are posted on sentry duty for the overnight shift, with enemies prowling around the camp. While the other soldiers sleep, a few have the duty of staying awake to sound the alarm if an attack should come.
This is our duty as believers in a dark and deceptive age. Thankfully we do not walk alone, we have brothers and sisters beside us and around us. But it is a responsibility for all of us to keep watch over one another.
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Colossians 2:6-8
All of these are plural “you,” meaning these exhortations are to the group of believers at Collosse, not just to individuals there. All New Testament letters were meant to be shared from church to church and city to city, so these commands are meant to be applied by all believers in all churches.
What false teachings and philosophies are prevalent today and are seeking to infiltrate our churches and lead astray our young people? There are no shortage of such things and we must stay watchful and alert to identify them and help one another resist their attractions.
Come Sunday (8/3/25) to be encouraged to keep watch!