Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ImportanceVigilance, in a biblical context, refers to the state of being watchful and alert, particularly in spiritual matters. It involves a constant readiness to respond to spiritual challenges and temptations, maintaining a steadfast focus on God's will and purposes. Vigilance is crucial for Christians as it helps guard against spiritual complacency and the wiles of the enemy.
Biblical ReferencesThe Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of vigilance. In
1 Peter 5:8, believers are admonished, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This verse underscores the necessity of being spiritually alert to resist the devil's schemes.
Jesus Himself instructed His disciples to be vigilant. In
Matthew 26:41, He said, "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Here, vigilance is linked with prayer, highlighting the need for spiritual discipline to overcome human frailty.
Vigilance in the Old TestamentThe concept of vigilance is also present in the Old Testament.
Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse calls for a vigilant guarding of one's inner life, recognizing that the heart is the source of one's actions and attitudes.
Nehemiah exemplified vigilance when rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In
Nehemiah 4:9, it is recorded, "But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat." Nehemiah's actions demonstrate the balance of prayer and practical vigilance in the face of opposition.
Vigilance in the New TestamentThe New Testament continues to stress vigilance as a vital aspect of Christian living. In
1 Thessalonians 5:6, Paul writes, "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober." This call to spiritual wakefulness is a reminder of the imminent return of Christ and the need to be prepared.
The parable of the ten virgins in
Matthew 25:1-13 further illustrates the importance of vigilance. The wise virgins were prepared and watchful, while the foolish ones were not, resulting in their exclusion from the wedding feast. This parable serves as a warning to remain spiritually alert and ready for the Lord's coming.
Practical ApplicationVigilance requires a proactive approach to spiritual life. It involves regular prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers to remain spiritually sharp.
Ephesians 6:18 encourages believers to "pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints."
Moreover, vigilance includes self-examination and accountability.
Hebrews 3:12-13 warns, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." This passage highlights the role of community in maintaining vigilance against sin.
ConclusionWhile vigilance is a personal responsibility, it is also a communal endeavor. Believers are called to support and encourage one another in their spiritual watchfulness, ensuring that they remain steadfast in their faith and ready for the return of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Watchfulness in respect of danger; care; caution; circumspection.
2. (n.) The quality or state of being vigilant; forbearance of sleep; wakefulness.
3. (n.) Guard; watch.
Greek
5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch... 5442 (akin to 5441 , "a military guard") -- properly, preserve by "having an eye
on" (J. Thayer), referring to the uninterrupted
vigilance shepherds show in
...Library
Prayer andvigilance
... XI. PRAYER ANDVIGILANCE.... His was a life of intense conflict, the facing of many
adversaries, the exercise of unsleepingvigilance and constant effort....
The Charge of the Pilgrim Priests
... that you may keep.' Or to translate it into other words: The treasure which is given
into our hands requires, for its safe preservation, unceasingvigilance....
An Unwalled City
... picture to ourselves some little garrison holding a lonely outpost against lurking
savages ready to attack if ever the defenders slacken theirvigilance for a...
Prayer --Fills Man's Poverty with God's Riches
...Vigilance and profound insight are in it, the faculty of knowing.... The prayer life
is knowledge without and within. Allvigilance without, allvigilance within....
March 2. "That Good Thing which was Committed unto Thee Keep by...
... God, then, requires us to stand in holyvigilance, and He will do exceeding abundantly
for us as we hold fast that which is good, and He will also be in us a...
On the Fast of the Tenth Month.
... Against common enemies for the common safety all alike should exercise the same
vigilance lest from one member's wound other members also be injured, and they...
Eve and Mary Continued.
... Now, we can safely say that its venom has already tainted the young lady's heart,
when, through inattention and want ofvigilance, she has suffered doubt to...
The Service Common to Two or Many Hierarchs.
... As emulators of the apostles in labours andvigilance, ye, O God-wise and
glorious, have presided over the people of the church....
The Preface
... 2. Indeed that skill was never very easy, it requiring the greatestvigilance and
caution, and therefore not to be attained by loose trifling spirits....
From the Conference of 1773 to the Commencement of the War in 1776
... It seems that, notwithstanding thevigilance of Mr. Asbury in correcting those abuses
which had arisen from the laxity with which discipline had been...
Thesaurus
Vigilance (1 Occurrence)... 3. (n.) Guard; watch. Multi-Version Concordance
Vigilance (1 Occurrence). Proverbs
4:23 And keep watch over your heart with all care; so you will have life.
...Vigil (2 Occurrences)
Vigilant (4 Occurrences)
Watch (203 Occurrences)
... forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention;
close observation; guard; preservative or preventivevigilance; formerly, a...
Mordecai (52 Occurrences)
... While holding this office, he discovered a plot of the eunuchs to put
the king to death, which, by hisvigilance, was defeated....
Alarmed (28 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Alarm. 2. (a.) Aroused tovigilance; excited by fear of approaching danger;
agitated; disturbed; as, an alarmed neighborhood; an alarmed modesty....
Alert (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Watchful; vigilant; active invigilance.
2. (a.) Brisk; nimble; moving with celerity. 3. (n.) An...
Alarm (26 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To call to arms for defense; to give notice to (any one) of approaching
danger; to rouse tovigilance and action; to put on the alert....
Awake (83 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Not sleeping or lethargic; roused from sleep; in a state ofvigilance
or action. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AWAKE....
Premillennial
... craftiness of Satan. No after-vigilance or earnestness on the part of the
servants could repair the fatal damage. They were forbidden...
Resources
What is the difference between envy and jealousy, biblically speaking? | GotQuestions.orgDo we need to be aware of the spiritual battle that is taking place around us? | GotQuestions.orgHow did the Fall affect humanity? | GotQuestions.orgVigilance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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