Watchfulness of believers

Watchfulness for dangers

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

See also Pr 4:23

The danger of false teaching

Matthew 7:15 KJV 1900

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

See also Ps 94:8; Pr 8:33–34; Mt 24:4–5; Mk 8:15; Ro 16:17; 1 Co 16:13

The danger of temptation

Matthew 26:41 KJV 1900

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

See also Dt 4:15; 1 Ki 2:4; Lk 12:15; Lk 17:1–3; 1 Co 10:12; Ga 6:1; 2 Jn 8

The danger of neglecting the word of God

Deuteronomy 4:9 KJV 1900

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;

See also Jos 22:5; 1 Ki 2:3; Heb 2:1; Heb 12:25; 2 Pe 1:19

The danger of damage to the Lord’s work

Ne 4:9; Ne 7:3

The danger of speaking sinfully

Ps 39:1; Ps 141:3; Pr 13:3; Pr 21:23; Jas 1:26; Jas 3:5–8; 1 Pe 3:10

Watchfulness for blessings

Ps 25:15; Ps 59:9; Ps 123:1–2; Ps 130:5–6; Is 40:9; Mic 7:7; Lk 2:25; Lk 2:36–38

Watchfulness and prayer

Colossians 4:2–3 KJV 1900

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

See also Mt 26:41; Mk 13:33; Lk 21:36; Eph 6:18; 1 Pe 4:7

Watchfulness for the return of Jesus Christ

Matthew 24:42–44 KJV 1900

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

See also Mt 25:1–13; Mk 13:32–37; Lk 12:35–40; Lk 21:32–36; 1 Th 5:4–8; Re 16:15

Watchfulness for opportunities to serve the Lord

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

See also Eph 5:15–16; Col 4:5–6

Meeting the needs of others

Ephesians 6:18 KJV 1900

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

See also Mt 26:36–40; Ga 6:10; Tt 3:1

Contrast with the watchfulness of unbelievers with evil intent

Psalm 37:32 KJV 1900

The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.

See also 1 Sa 18:9; 1 Sa 19:11; Ps 10:8; Je 20:10; Mt 26:16; Mk 3:2; Ac 9:24

Warning against neglect of watchfulness

Revelation 3:2–3 KJV 1900

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.