“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity (love).” (1 Cor. 16:13-14)

The apostle Paul was used by the Lord many times to encourage the saints to be courageous and to fight the good fight of faith. The people of Corinth needed this exhortation and instruction. The people of God need it today. We are in a battle whether we like it or not, though the battle is primarily a spiritual one. In 2 Corinthians 10:4, we are told:

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds.”

Paul exhorted the people to “watch.” This is a military term that carries much more meaning than just to look or watch for pleasure or information, like bird watching. A person who wants to really battle for the Lord must be “vigilant” and wide awake. For what or whom are we to watch? Certainly, believers are to watch and be awake for the coming of the Lord. However, this is not the intent of this particular Scripture. The arch enemy of our souls is the devil. Surely, the devil works through false teachers, apostles, and the religious works of men. The apostle Peter sounds a companion warning to our Scripture text when he writes:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

We also need to watch ourselves especially concerning our desires and motives. If we are not watchful, our motives will not always be pure. Isn’t it interesting and indicative of human life that we have to purify the water we drink? We have to filter our air, inspect our food for health or sanitation purposes, and even in a murder case, the motive is carefully sought out. Psalms 10:3 says:

“The wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.”

The Bible also teaches us to watch our speech or talk. We often reveal our thoughts and desires by what we say as well as do. Psalms 141:3-4 addresses this very problem, and David recognized this weakness in his flesh. He cried to the Lord for help and said:

“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil works with men that work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties.”

We need to be on constant guard or lookout for every move of the enemy. He has all kinds of thoughts and plans (devices) to wage his constant warfare against the Lord and the Lord’s people. Paul in writing to these same Corinthian believers said for them to be forgiving and understanding of one another:

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)

In conclusion, we should be watchful and awake in and to everything. If not careful, we might be our own worst enemy. Paul wrote to his son in the faith, Timothy, and said:

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)