Sleepy Saints!. 3
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1. Failure to remain watchful. In its wider sense, "watching" signifies an earnest taking heed unto ourselves and our ways, realizing how prone we are to "turn again to folly" (Psalm 85:8). So long as the saint is left in this world — he is in constant danger of bringing reproach upon the holy Name he bears, and becoming a stumbling-block to his brethren. Watchfulness (the opposite of carelessness) is exercising a diligent concern and care for our souls, avoiding all occasions to sin, resisting temptation (Mat 26:41). It is to "stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13) — be regular in our duties.
When we are lax in serving the Lord, in mortifying our lusts, and less fervent and frequent in prayer — then spiritual slumber has begun to steal over us. Ultimately, it respects "looking for that blessed hope" (Titus 2:13), which is a very different thing from awaiting the fulfillment of prophecy or the accomplishing of an item in God's "dispensational program." It is far more than expecting an important event, namely, the second advent of Christ Himself; and that implies delight in Him, yearning after Him, practical readiness for His appearing! Luke 12:35-36.
2. The Bridegroom's delayresulted in lack of perseverance on their part. Since we know not how long deferred, will be our call to depart from this world — we need to be unremitting in duty, and in a state of constant readiness. Not only a desirous expectation, but a "patient waiting for Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5) is required of us. "Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he comes shall find watching…And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants… But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into" (Luke 12:37-39).
It was because Moses tarried so long in the Mount, that Israel grew weary of waiting, and gave way to their lusts — a warning to us not to relax our vigilance. How long had the Old Testament saints to wait for His first advent! "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near;" (Jam 5:7-8), exercising faith and hope. See Luke 21:36.
3. Intimacy with graceless professors. The wise virgins failed because they were in too close contact and fellowship with the foolish ones. That is confirmed by the divine warning, "Be not deceived: Bad company corrupts good character," which is immediately followed by "Awake to righteousness, and sin not" (1 Corinthians 15:33-34), showing us that intimacy with the Christless, produces lethargy.
"We are more susceptible of evil than good: we catch a disease from one another, but we do not get health from one another. The conversations of the wicked have more power to corrupt — than the good to excite virtue. A man who would keep himself awake unto God, and mind the saving of his soul — must shake off evil company" — Thomas Manton (1620-1677). See Psalm 119:115.
It is not the openly profane, but the loose and careless professor who is the greatest menace to the sincere Christian! Hence, "having a form of godliness, but denying [inaction] the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5).
4. Inattention to the initial danger. They "slumbered" (a lighter form) before they slept! How that shows the need for taking solemn and earnest heed to the beginnings of spiritual decline! If we yield to a spirit of languor — we shall soon lapse into a sound sleep. One degree of slackness and carelessness, leads to another: "Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep" (Prov 19:15). Once our zeal abates and our love cools, we become remiss and heedless. If we do not fight against a cold formality when engaged in sacred exercises — we shall ultimately cease them entirely. All backsliding begins in the heart! Sin stupefies — before it hardens. If we cease to heed the gentle strivings of the Spirit — conscience will become calloused.
Other causes of spiritual sleepiness which are not directly indicated in the parable are specified in, or may be deduced from, other passages. For example: "Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken me in your way" (Psalm 119:37). The apposition of those two petitions clearly connotes that an undue occupation with worldly things has a deadening effect upon the heart. Nothing has a more enervating influence on the affections of a believer, than for him to allow himself an inordinate liberty in carnal vanities.
Again, "
Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. Be always on the watch, and pray" (Luke 21:34-36). Gluttony not only dulls the senses of the body, but renders the mind sluggish too; and thereby the whole man is unfitted for the discharge of spiritual duties, which call for the engaging and putting forth of "all that is within us" (Psalm 103:1). Equally so do carking cares which engross the attention and stupefy the understanding, render the affections torpid.
Yet more searching is it to observe that "be sober" precedes "be vigilant" in 1 Peter 5:8. Sobriety is freedom from excesses, particularly a sparing use made of the lawful comforts of this life. Any form of intemperance breeds inertia. If, then, we are able to keep wide awake, we must be "temperate inall things" (1 Corinthians 9:25).
The CONSEQUENCES of spiritual sloth are inevitable and obvious. Space allows us to do little more than name some of the chief ones.
(1) Grace becomes inoperative.
When faith is not exercised upon Christ, it becomes drowsy, and ceases to produce good works.
When hope languishes and becomes inactive, the heart is no longer lifted above the things of time and sense by a desirous expectation of good things to come.
Then love declines and is no longer engaged in pleasing and glorifying God.
Zeal slumbers and instead of fervor, there is heartless formality in the use of means and performance of duties.
(2) We are deprived of spiritual discernment, and no longer able to experientially perceive the vanity of earthly things, and value of heavenly realities, and the need of pressing forward unto them.
(3) A drowsy inattention to God's providences. Eyes closed in sleep take no notice of His dealings with us, weigh not the things which befall us.Mercies are received as a matter of course, and signs of God's displeasure are disregarded (Isa 42:24-25).
(4) Unconcernedness in the commission of sin, so that we cease mortifying our lusts and resisting the devil. Spiritual stupidity makes us insensible to our danger. It was while David was taking his ease — that he yielded to the devil (2 Samuel 11:1-2).
(5) The Holy Spirit is grieved, His gracious operations are suspended, and His comforts withheld.
(6) So far from us overcoming the world — when our spiritual senses are dulled, we are absorbed with its attractions, or weighted down by its cares.
(7) We are robbed by our enemies (Luke 12:39) — of God's providential smile, of our peace and joy.
(8) Fruitlessness: see Proverbs 24:30-31.
(9) Carnal complacency: peace and joy being derived from pleasant circumstances and earthly possessions, rather than Christ and our heritage in Him.
(10) Spiritual poverty: see Proverbs 24:33-34.
(11) Indifference to the cause and interests of Christ: it was while men slept — that Satan sowed his tares, and abuses crept into the church.
(12) A practical unpreparedness for Christ's coming: Luke 21:36; Rev 16:15.
Let us now point out some of the CORRECTIVES of spiritual sloth.
(1) Spiritual sleepiness is best prevented by our faith being engaged with the person and perfections of Christ. It is not monastic retirement, nor the relinquishment of our lawful connection with the world, but the fixing of our minds and affections upon the transcendent excellency of the Savior, which will most effectually preserve us from being hypnotized by the baits of Satan. A believing and adoring view of Him who is "fairer than the children of men" (Psalm 45:2) will dim the luster of the most attractive objects in this world. When the One who is "altogether lovely" is beheld by anointed eyes — the flowery paths of this earthly scene become a dreary wilderness, and the soul is quickened to press forward unto Him, until it sees the King in His beauty face to face.
(2) Especially will a keeping fresh in our hearts the unspeakable sufferings of the Savior, draw us away from threatened rivals, and inspire grateful obedience to Him. "For the love of Christ [particularly His dying love] constrains us" (2 Corinthians 5:14).
(3) By praying daily for God to quicken and revive us.
(4) By being doubly on our guard when things are going smoothly and easily.
(5) By maintaining a lively expectation of Christ's appearing (Heb 9:28).
(6) By attending to such exhortations as Hebrews 12:2-3, allowing no abatement of our vigor: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
(7) By putting on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:13-18).
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