Watchfulness: should Be with Steadfastness in the Faith
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Watchfulness is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the need for vigilance and alertness in the spiritual life of a believer. It is closely tied to the concept of steadfastness in the faith, urging Christians to remain firm and unwavering in their commitment to God and His teachings.

Biblical Foundation

The call to watchfulness is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently admonishes His followers to be watchful, particularly in the context of His second coming. In Matthew 24:42 (BSB), Jesus instructs, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." This call to vigilance is not merely about anticipating future events but also about maintaining a state of readiness and spiritual alertness.

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 16:13 (BSB), he exhorts believers, "Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong." Here, watchfulness is directly linked to steadfastness in the faith, suggesting that vigilance is necessary to maintain one's spiritual integrity and strength.

Spiritual Warfare

Watchfulness is also a critical component of spiritual warfare. The Apostle Peter warns in 1 Peter 5:8 (BSB), "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This vivid imagery underscores the constant threat posed by spiritual adversaries and the need for believers to remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith to resist such attacks.

Prayer and Watchfulness

Prayer is often associated with watchfulness in the Scriptures. In Colossians 4:2 (BSB), Paul advises, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." This connection highlights the importance of prayer as a means of maintaining spiritual alertness and seeking divine guidance and strength.

Moral and Ethical Vigilance

Watchfulness extends beyond spiritual readiness to encompass moral and ethical vigilance. In Ephesians 5:15-16 (BSB), Paul writes, "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." This passage calls believers to be mindful of their conduct and to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to reflect Christ's character in a world that often opposes His values.

Community and Accountability

The New Testament also emphasizes the role of community and mutual accountability in fostering watchfulness. Hebrews 10:24-25 (BSB) encourages believers to "spur one another on to love and good deeds" and to "not neglect meeting together." This communal aspect of watchfulness helps believers support and encourage one another in their spiritual journey, promoting steadfastness in the faith.

Conclusion

Watchfulness, as presented in the Bible, is an essential aspect of the Christian life. It involves a state of spiritual alertness, readiness for Christ's return, vigilance against spiritual adversaries, and a commitment to moral and ethical living. Through prayer, community, and steadfastness in the faith, believers are called to remain watchful, ensuring that they are prepared for whatever challenges they may face in their walk with God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch you, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Strong and Loving
... We should establish a rigid examination for applicants for ... us that, in addition to
our watchfulness, and as ... Only there is no steadfastness communicated to us ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/strong and loving.htm

Written from Rome
... mention of his joy over their steadfastness in the ... and "the love of many" should
"wax cold ... understanding." Through prayer, through watchfulness, through growth ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 45 written from rome.htm

Firm to the End.
... profession, as firmness to the end, steadfastness to die ... body, of fasting and prayer,
of watchfulness and self ... argue, and doubt, when they should believe; and ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon liii firm to the.htm

Calvinistic Methodism.
... modesty, frankness, patience, courage, and steadfastness to the ... he has ordained that
it should be so ... a continuance in holiness, diligence, watchfulness, a holy ...
/.../ 112 calvinistic methodism.htm

Solomon's Repentance
... as a sturdy oak, he fell from his steadfastness under the ... From such examples we should
learn that in ... Watchfulness and prayer are the safeguards of purity. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 5 solomons repentance.htm

Columban.
... lowliness and long-suffering with steadfastness and strength ... to eradicate vice; for
your watchfulness will be ... Church, have great honour, you should use great ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/columban.htm

St. Luke xxi. 36
... it best for us that they should not be ... for middle age is not so much change as
steadfastness. ... and too irresistibly, unless, by earlier watchfulness and prayer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xi st luke xxi.htm

In the Court of Babylon
... explained to Daniel; "for why should he see ... united earnestness of purpose, diligence,
and steadfastness. ... strong resolution and vigilant watchfulness they may ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 39 in the court.htm

The Supremacy of Christ
... c) Renewed exhortations to prayer and watchfulness. ... the earth; and that every tongue
should confess that ... Final exhortations (4:1-9) to steadfastness, unity, joy ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study ix the supremacy of.htm

Conflict.
... not exhort his readers individually to steadfastness, nor the ... man of faith than that
he should have been ... the Church is maintained by watchfulness[352] against ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiv conflict.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about Christian fathers? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian play multi-player fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons? | GotQuestions.org

What is a Mezuzah? | GotQuestions.org

Watchful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Watchful

Watchfulness: Anna

Watchfulness: Blessedness of

Watchfulness: Christ an Example of

Watchfulness: Commanded

Watchfulness: Danger of Remissness In

Watchfulness: David

Watchfulness: Exhortations To

Watchfulness: Faithful Ministers Approved By

Watchfulness: Faithful Ministers Exercise

Watchfulness: General Scriptures Concerning

Watchfulness: God Especially Requires in Ministers

Watchfulness: Illustrated

Watchfulness: Ministers Exhorted To

Watchfulness: Motives to Expected Direction from God

Watchfulness: Motives to Incessant Assaults of the Devil

Watchfulness: Motives to Liability to Temptation

Watchfulness: Motives to Uncertain Time of the Coming of Christ

Watchfulness: Paul

Watchfulness: Saints Pray to be Kept in a State of

Watchfulness: should be At all Times

Watchfulness: should be in all Things

Watchfulness: should Be with Heedfulness

Watchfulness: should Be with Prayer

Watchfulness: should Be with Sobriety

Watchfulness: should Be with Steadfastness in the Faith

Watchfulness: should Be with Thanksgiving

Watchfulness: The Wicked Averse To

Watchfulness: Unfaithful Ministers Devoid of

Related Terms

Jealous (43 Occurrences)

Alert (19 Occurrences)

Watch (203 Occurrences)

Praying (71 Occurrences)

Vigilant (4 Occurrences)

Oversight (23 Occurrences)

Walks (51 Occurrences)

Watcheth (6 Occurrences)

Wakeful (3 Occurrences)

Roaring (28 Occurrences)

Repeated (16 Occurrences)

Requests (29 Occurrences)

Eran (1 Occurrence)

Escape (142 Occurrences)

Erect (17 Occurrences)

Drawn (131 Occurrences)

Devour (118 Occurrences)

Michael (16 Occurrences)

Meets (17 Occurrences)

Petition (33 Occurrences)

Prowls (2 Occurrences)

Bosom (47 Occurrences)

Careful (130 Occurrences)

Cautious (2 Occurrences)

Care (466 Occurrences)

Counted (122 Occurrences)

Aware (44 Occurrences)

Esau (89 Occurrences)

Sheddeth (4 Occurrences)

Self-controlled (9 Occurrences)

Strengthen (105 Occurrences)

Sinlessness

Sober (18 Occurrences)

Establish (133 Occurrences)

Perseverance (27 Occurrences)

Worthy (92 Occurrences)

Enemy (134 Occurrences)

Parable (52 Occurrences)

Lion (92 Occurrences)

Adversary (100 Occurrences)

Beareth (108 Occurrences)

Watching (111 Occurrences)

Devil (58 Occurrences)

Saints (117 Occurrences)

Stand (542 Occurrences)

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

Dressed (77 Occurrences)

Passing (177 Occurrences)

Someone (153 Occurrences)

Proper (62 Occurrences)

Seeking (182 Occurrences)

Nigh (243 Occurrences)

Colossians (1 Occurrence)

Harlot's (10 Occurrences)

Walk (315 Occurrences)

English

Smiteth (156 Occurrences)

Die (401 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Providence (3 Occurrences)

Versions

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)

Names (133 Occurrences)

Second (2060 Occurrences)

View (86 Occurrences)

Peter (181 Occurrences)

Watchfulness: should Be with Sobriety
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