1 Peter 5:8-11 (KJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
In many places in the New Testament we are exhorted to be watchful and steadfast. Like in 1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV) Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. We can see here the reason for that. It is because the devil and his demons are out to cause us to be devoured, deceived, destroyed, derailed, diverted, dissuaded, demoralised, etc.. As we can see in verse 9, we are not alone every believer is being afflicted with this.
Therefore we need to be vigilant, knowing our weaknesses and guarding them. Praying like Jesus showed us in (not just for ourself but our bothers and sisters in Christ) Matthew 6:12-13 (KJV)
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Part of being vigilant is walking in forgiveness, keeping short accounts with GOD and people. The enemy will try to bring disunity but we should walk in love 1 Peter 4:8 (KJV) And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Another way to be vigilant is to focus on Jesus and follow Him James 4:7 (KJV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Being vigilant is to pray Matthew 26:41 (KJV) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. and there is more we could cover.
Being vigilant is not the only thing we need we need to be steadfast in it. Not letting ourself be distracted, keeping our focus on Jesus Christ. Not walking one day with Him some of the time. Steadfastness requires discipline. Discipline in prayer, worship, reading the Bible and in gathering together despite of how we feel. We are to walk according to the Word and not our feelings. I have discovered many times when I didn’t feel like going to a gathering and still went or doing something I did not feel like but believed the LORD wanted me to do it was a blessing. As we can see this is one of the tactics the enemy of our soul (devil). Therefore we need to be vigilant and steadfast. Steadfastness is to be in the faith it is not there by itself. It is being firm in the faith in the gospel and what we believe and not letting ourself be deceived. There are many deceptions out there and now easily available through the internet. Some are subtle other are outright blatant. We might look at this another time.
Being vigilant and steadfast is not easy,
Thank GOD a that He gave us His Holy Spirit to help us, Jesus Christ Himself is interceding for us and He placed us in a body of believers to support one another.
We are not alone and He is fighting for us. Exodus 14:14 (KJV) The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Let’s reiterate Versace’s 10 and 11.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.