SPIRITUAL SLUMBER – BEWARE!!!

Text: Matt 13:25-26, Matt 25:42, Romans 13:11

To slumber is to sleep, to doze off, or to rest or to be in an in-active state. Spiritual slumber, therefore, is to be in a state of inactivity spiritually. It is a state of spiritual insensitivity and not being alert spiritually. It is a period when the devil can have a hold on one, a vulnerable time to strike and be caught unaware.

The scripture says in Ps 121:3b-4, "He who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." Literally, this implies that God does not sleep and slumber. He keeps watching over you so that evil will not befall you or come nearer you. This is also in consonance with 2 Chron16:9 that say, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards Him." Because God does not slumber, He is able to watch over you all day long. His eyes are everywhere.

God does not want you to slumber, He wants you to be alert and be spiritually active. Usually and most times it is when you sleep that the enemy comes in to do havoc. Our Lord Jesus Christ illustrated this with the parable of the weeds in Matt13:25-26, "But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared." This parable indicates that within a short period of spiritual slumber, an irreparable damage can be done. A serious havoc can be committed. It is in the interest of any believer to be alert, watchful and be active. Some activities to be involved include praying without ceasing, and being in the presence of the Lord always.

The Scripture warns us in 1Thess 5:6, "So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled." Brethren, being alert and active are for your own good. Also Matt 25:42 says, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come". The five wise virgins got it right and knew what it is to be spiritually alert and ready, and they were able to enter with the bridegroom while the foolish five were not able to. We are admonished to be vigilant. 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." We cannot afford to be inactive, the devil our enemy does not sleep, always battle ready to attack and destroy. The scripture warns in Romans13:11, "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." As a bride awaiting the bridegroom you cannot afford to slumber for the bridegroom can come anytime any day. Jesus warns again in Mark 13:35-37, "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows or at dawn. If he comes suddenly.do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone. Watch!”

Let us consider Samson as a case study.
The spirit of the Lord began to stir in Samson from birth as foretold by the angel that visited his mother before his birth. The angel pronounced that the child would be set apart for God and for the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines (Judges 13:5). The spirit of the Lord was always upon him in power (Judges 14:6; 19; 15:14) and this enabled him to do outstanding things with boldness and power. However Samson lost the power and strength due to spiritual slumber – he leaked the secret behind his power to Delilah, a Philistine woman.

Judges 16:13b-14, "So while he (Samson) was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabrics and tightened it with the pin." Verses 19 - 21, “Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him and his strength left him. He awoke from his sleep and thought; I’ll go out as before and shake myself free. But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison." Samson's moral failure led to his spiritual slumber. The Lord departed from him thus he lost his power and strength.

The Bible enjoins us in 1 Corin10:12, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall." If you are in faith remain in faith, hold on to it and don't slumber and if you are slumbering, awake and stay awake. In fact a whole church may slumber as indeed the church at Laodicea was said to have been spiritually inactive. Rev 3:15-16 says, "I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one of the other!  So because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth." This means you can be rejected and or replaced for inactivity.

Sometimes a believer can feel so sufficient by worldly standard and satisfaction that he may slumber. An example was illustrated by Jesus Christ with the parable of the rich fool in Luke12:16-20. The rich fool thought he was so sufficient in all things and he said in verses 19-20, "And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and make merry”. But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you, and then you will get what you have prepared for yourself." The rich fool relaxed and became inactive spiritually therefore God pronounced judgement on him instantly.

Brethren, beware of spiritual slumber and avoid it. You have to be active and get occupied till Jesus Christ returns.

Examples of causes of spiritual slumber:
Drunkenness – Genesis 19:33
Lack of prayer- 2 Chron 7:14
Self-sufficiency –Luke 12:19
Self-righteousness – Luke 18:11-12.
Backsliding – Hebrews 3:12
Lust of flesh -1 John 2:16
Luke-warmness – Rev 3:12

Prayer
Father in heaven, help me and see me through to the end so that I will not slumber spiritually in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.