Be on alert (1127) (gregoreuo from egeiro = to arise, arouse) means to be watchful or to refrain from physical sleep. Later gregoreuo came to used in the moral and religious sphere and was used to call for one to be on the alert, in a constant state of readiness and vigilant (alertly watchful especially to avoid danger this word suggesting intense, unremitting, wary watchfulness; keenly alert to or heedful of trouble or danger as others are sleeping or unsuspicious). We are to be be watchful and ready to respond to external influences, focused, alert for the winds of temptation or overt attacks of evil. We are to remained alert lest we be deceived by the devil the deceiver or sin which is deceitful (Heb 3:13). Gregoreuo -22 times in the NAS - Matt. 24:42, 43; 25:13; 26:38, 40, 41; Mk. 13:34, 35, 37; 14:34, 37, 38; Lk. 12:37; Acts 20:31; 1 Co. 16:13; Col. 4:2; 1Th 5:6, 10; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 3:2, 3; 16:15. Gregoreuo is translated: alert, 10; awake, 1; keep, 1; keep watch, 4; keep watching, 1; keeping alert, 1; stay on the alert, 1; stays awake, 1; wake, 2;) Gregoreuo 5xin the Septuagint - Neh 7:3; Jer 5:6; 31:28; Lam 1:14; Dan 9:14. Most of the NT uses are in reference to the Christians’ being spiritually awake and alert, as opposed to being spiritually indifferent and listless. Gregoreuo conveys the idea of alertness. It is like a sleeping man rousing himself. It means to give strict attention to, to be active, to take heed lest through remissness and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one. Secular Greek used gregoreuo to describe people carefully crossing a river while stepping on slippery stones. If they did not pay strict attention to their steps, they would end up in the water. So the idea of vigilance is to stay alert and cautious. Gregoreuo, is used of mental alertness, the condition of the mind opposite to that which characterizes it in sleep. Gregoreuo means to to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one. "Confidence in God must not lead to slackness; the spiritual warfare that they wage demands vigilance" (Beare) Gregoreuo is aorist imperative, which commands every believer to "Stay awake!", obeying even with a sense of urgency. Be ready! Watch out! Be vigilant! Note that a strong trust in God's power and watch care and a confidence that we can cast our anxiety on Him does not justify carelessness on our part. In other words, in spiritual warfare we cannot take the approach to simply "Let go and let God!" It is imperative Paul says that we not become indolent and lazy and let down our guard or we will become victims of the enemy. The outside forces that come against us demand us to be alert and vigilant. Charles Simeon writes that... Unwatchfulness, even in a victorious army, exposes it to defeat: much more must it subject us to the power of our subtle enemy. St. Peter had experienced its baneful effects. He had been warned of Satan’s intention to assault him (Lk 22:31). He had been commanded to pray lest he should fall by the temptation (Lk 22:40); but he slept when he should have been praying (Lk 22:45, 46). He stands in this respect, like Lot’s wife (Lk 17:32, Ge 19:26), a monument to future generations; but vigilance on our part will counteract the designs of Satan. The armed Christian, watching unto prayer, must be victorious (Ep 6:18-note).. (1 Peter 5:8, 9 The Means of Defeating Satan's Malice) In secular Greek gregoreuo was used to describe people carefully crossing a river while stepping on slippery stones. If they did not pay strict attention to their steps, they would end up in the water. So the idea of vigilance is to stay alert and cautious. The enemy is very subtle, Paul recording that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" and "his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness (2Cor 11:14,15) Alertness is required because our enemy rarely shows himself for who he is. He almost always masks himself as a religious personality, almost always endeavoring somehow in some way to be able to approach you subtly so that you can't recognize the reality of who he is. So you need to "be on the alert"! Most of the 22 uses of gregoreuo are in the latter part of Gospels in the context of Jesus' imminent crucifixion and departure and the exhortation to His disciples to be on the alert for His future return. Thus He declared Therefore be on the alert (gregoreuo), for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. (Mt 24:42) Jesus concluded the parable of the 10 virgins with the warning Be on the alert (gregoreuo) then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. (Mt 25:13) As Augustine wisely stated “The last day is a secret, that every day may be watched.” A man should live every day as if it were his last. Gregoreuo is used three times in Mark 13 which closes with an exhortation to watchfulness and prayer in view of the Lord’s Return. Jesus' addressing His disciples, Peter and James and John and Andrew, on the Mount of Olives tells them a parable of the doorkeeper, declaring that It is like a man, away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert (gregoreuo). Therefore, be on the alert (gregoreuo)-- for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, at cockcrowing, or in the morning-- lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert (gregoreuo)!' (Mk 13:34, 35, 36, 37) Vincent comments on the significance of Jesus' using the illustration of an awake, alert doorkeeper in this parable writing that "In the temple, during the night, the captain of the temple made his rounds, and the guards had to rise at his approach and salute him in a particular manner. Any guard (doorkeeper) found asleep on duty was beaten, or his garments were set on fire." (Greek Word Studies) Jesus used gregoreuo in His exhortation to the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane in His hour of greatest attack by the Devil. Jesus said "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch (gregoreuo) with Me." (Mt 26:38)..."And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch (gregoreuo) with Me for one hour?" (Mt 26:40) and finally warning them to "Keep watching (gregoreuo) (present tense = continuously = make this your lifestyle) and praying, that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mt 26:41) Spurgeon remarks that there is no temptation in the world which is so bad as not being tempted at all, for to be tempted will tend to keep us awake. Whereas, being without temptation, flesh and blood are weak. Though the spirit may be willing, yet we may be found falling into slumber. Children do not run away from their father’s side when big dogs bark at them. The howlings of the devil may tend to drive us nearer to Christ, may teach us our own weakness, may keep us upon our own watch tower, and be made the means of preservation from other ills. (Spurgeon, C. H. Satan, A Defeated Foe) Mark it down that the Christian who is not alert to Satanic attack is in for trouble. Don't misunderstand...we are not to look for a demon behind every bush. We are simply called to a continual state of spiritual alertness. It is as if we are like a sentry constantly on guard duty at the door of our mind and the gate of our eyes and ears, alert for any deceptive, seductive intruders. Keep watching and praying beloved. John Calvin on "be sober...on the alert" writes that "as we have war with a most fierce and most powerful enemy, we are to be strenuous in resisting him. But he uses a twofold metaphor, that they were to be sober, and that they were to exercise watchfulness. Surfeiting (intemperate or immoderate indulgence in something) produces sloth (disinclination to action or labor, spiritual apathy and inactivity) and sleep; even so they who indulge in earthly cares and pleasures, think of nothing else, being under the power of spiritual lethargy." (Commentaries) J R Miller... We are not at all times equally strong. There are days with all of us when we throw off temptation with almost no effort. But none of us are so every day. There are hours with the strongest of us—when we are weak. These are the times of peril for us, and our adversary is watching for them. In your weak hours keep a double guard, therefore, against temptation. Keep out of its way. Throw yourself with mighty faith on Him who was tempted in all points as we are, and knows therefore how to deliver us when we are tempted. In time of special weakness—run to Christ for shelter! Thomas Watson... "Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry!" Lk 12:19 A Christian must deny his ease. "Ease slays the simple." The flesh is prone to sloth and softness. It is loath to take pains for heaven. Weeds and vermin grow in untilled ground; and all vices grow in an idle, untilled heart. How can they expect to reap a harvest of glory—who never sowed any seed? Is Satan so busy in his diocese, 1Pe 5:8, and are Christians idle? Are they like the lilies—which neither toil, nor spin? O deny your ease! We must force our way to paradise. God puts no difference between the slothful servant and the wicked servant, "You wicked and lazy servant!" Mt 25:26. Those slothful people in Eturia, who like drones enter into the hive and consumed the honey, were expelled from others and condemned to exile. Such as idle away the day of grace and fold their hands to sleep when they should be working out salvation—God will condemn to a perpetual exile in hell. Let us shake off sloth—as Paul did the viper! Paul like a general keenly aware of the real spiritual war surrounding every saint, uses four Greek military terms to issue a staccato command (all in the imperative mood) to the church and all in the present tense (continuously) calling for each to be the habitual practice for the rest of our lives! (Note: "be on the alert" = gregoreuo) The saints are to be on guard all the time. They are not to give up an inch of vital territory. They are to behave with true courage. Be on the alert Stand firm in the faith Act like men Be strong (1 Co 16:13) HOW NOT TO BE SATAN'S BREAKFAST! Tim Schoap has a practical application of Peter's exhortations in chapter 5 to the believer's warfare in the Spirit in his section subtitled "How to be Satan’s Breakfast" and "How Not to Be Satan’s Breakfast"... While most of us may already have this down pat, consider this list of ways to ensure that you are defeated spiritually at every turn: 1. Resent and resist authority (at home, at church, at work, in the government) 2. Be proud (view yourself as the favored of God, a pillar of society, first among equals) 3. Seek praise (per your own schedule, on your own priorities) 4. Be anxious (worry over trivial details, performance – act as though you are the critical component to all success) 5. Question God’s care for you (blame God for your life, assume no responsibility for your decisions, or the consequences that follow) 6. Be unbalanced in your thinking (doubt God’s control of life) 7. Be self-focused (spend your time on yourself, make sure your needs are met first) This is pretty much a foolproof list of ways to ensure that you too can be Satan’s breakfast, because it is actually just Peter’s advice of how not to be Satan’s breakfast reversed. How Not to Be Satan’s Breakfast (1 Peter 5) 1. Subject yourselves to authority (1Pet 5:5; God’s, man’s) 2. Be humble (1Pet 5:5-6 – How? By becoming obedient, as Jesus did in Philippians 2:8; humble with each other, humble under God) 3. Seek God’s praise according to God’s schedule (1Pet 5:6 – at the proper time. Who chooses the time? God alone.) 4. Don’t be anxious (1Pet 5:7) – instead, 5. Be sure of God’s care for you (1Pet 5:8). 6. Be sober-minded (1Pet 5:8, know that he is in control, no matter what appearances may be) 7. Be spiritually-alert (1Pet. 5:8 – knowing Satan is prowling around out there, looking for an easy meal). If these things mark your life, Peter says you won’t be Satan’s breakfast! In the end, it all comes down to who you seek to please, self or Christ? Are you driven to perform, or do you have drive? Are you depending on the Lord, or on your own strength? The need for absolute dependence on him is greatly underscored by the reality of spiritual warfare (From Chapter 11 "How Not to Be Satan's Breakfast" - see also Chapter 10 on "Spiritual Warfare" - Introduction to “The Spiritual Life - 46 page Pdf - recommended!”) Jeremy Taylor on Christian sobriety (See Biblical Illustrator) is all that duty that concerns ourselves in the matter of meat, and drink, and pleasures, and thoughts; and it hath within it the duties of- 1. Temperance. 2. Chastity. 3. Humility. 4. Modesty. 5. Content. Ready for temptation - “I fell in an unguarded moment; the temptation came so suddenly.” How often such excuses are made! But why were we off our guard? Because we live in spiritual things too much like the Saxon king who earned for himself the inglorious surname of the Unready. (King’s Highway.) (Biblical Illustrator) Our vigilance must be comprehensive - Many a city has been taken on its strongest side, which was counted so strong that no watch was kept, even as no danger was dreaded there. We think that we are not exposed to one particular form of temptation; let none be too sure of this; and in resisting one form of evil, never let us forget that there are others in the world. Fleshly sins may be watched against, and yet room be given in the heart for spiritual wickedness, pride, self-righteousness, and the like. The victories gained over the lusts of the flesh may minister to those subtler mischiefs of the spirit: and our fate may be like that of the hero in the Maccabees, who was crushed by the falling elephant himself had slain. There is a white devil of spiritual pride as well as a black devil of fleshly lusts; and if only Satan can ruin us, it is all the same to him by what engines he does it; it is all the same to him whether we go down into hell as gross and carnal sinners, or as elated self-righteous saints. Set a watch, therefore, all round your heart; not on one side only, but on all; for you can never be sure on which side temptation will assail. (Archbishop Trench.) (Biblical Illustrator) Watch against little sins - The truly pious is never at rest in his mind but when he stands upon his guard against the most minute and unobservable encroaches of sin, as knowing them upon this account more dangerous than greater; that the enemy that is least feared is usually the soonest felt. For as in the robbing of a house it is the custom for the sturdiest thieves to put in some little boy at the window, who being once within may easily open the doors and let them in too, so the tempter, in rifling the soul, despairs for the most part to attempt his entrance by some gross sin, and therefore employs a lesser, that may slide into it insensibly; which yet, little as it is, will so unlock the bars of conscience that the most enormous abominations shall at length make their entrance and take possession of it. Let no man measure the smallness of his danger by the smallness of any sin; for the smaller the sin the greater may be the stratagem. Some have been choked by a fly, a crumb, a grape stone; such contemptible things carry in them the causes of death; and the soul may be destroyed by sinful desires, idle words, officious lies, as well as by perjuries, blasphemies, and murders. Those who consider in how many ways a soul may be ruined, will not count it scrupulosity to beware of the least and slenderest instruments of damnation. (R. South, D. D.) (Biblical Illustrator) Watch against our old sins - The embankment is weak where it once gave way; and though the breach has been repaired, it must be diligently watched. The flames have been put out, but the ashes are still smoldering; and, if the wind rises, the fire may burst forth anew. The rebellion has been put down; but though its armies have been scattered and its prince dethroned, many traitors lurk in secret places, watching for opportunities to renew the struggle. Our old sins are conquered, but not quite killed. (Newman Hall.) (Biblical Illustrator) SPIRITUAL WARFARE: Six Things Every Believer Needs To Be On The Alert For 1).Satan: As Peter exhorts us in this present passage "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert (gregoreuo)." Be aware of Satan’s strategies (word study = methodeia), which are always deceptive and subtle but can basically be classified into one of three categories "the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life” (1Jn 2:16-note). 2). Temptation: Keep watching (What were they doing? - Mt 26:40) (gregoreuo in the present imperative -command [not a suggestion] in the present tense = continuously = make this your lifestyle) and praying (present imperative- word study = proseuchomai), that you may not enter into temptation (peirasmos) = basically means to learn the nature or character of something and in this context is an attempt to entice, make or cause one to do something evil); the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (asthenes = inadequate, feeble, even helpless!). (Mt 26:41) If we are not watching (we are not looking for a demon behind every bush but we are aware that every moment of every day we are in a war -- no furloughs in this spiritual war beloved! At least not until our glorification!) and seeking the Lord’s help in prayer (don't be too proud to cry out), we often will not even notice temptation when it comes. When our spiritual eyes are shut or sleepy, we can fall more easily into sin. 3). Apathy and indifference: The very nature of those sins makes them very difficult to notice. By definition, a person who is apathetic and indifferent is insensitive and therefore cannot be alert. Although the city of Sardis (see discussion and picture in Revelation 3:1; general article) was considered to be a natural citadel and incapable of capture, there were several times in the city’s history that the city fell because of self-confidence and consequent failure to stay alert and watchful. (cp Paul's warning command - 1Co 10:12, Pr 16:18, 28:14, Peter's pride Mt 26:33,34, cp Rev 3:17-note, Rev 3:18-note). The church at Sardis assumed that it had spiritual life because it had “a name that [it was] alive,” (Rev 3:1-note) but it was so indifferent to the Lord’s will that it did not realize it was “dead”! Our Lord's warning to the church at Sardis was Wake up (gregoreuo) (present tense = continually keeping awake) and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. Remember therefore what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. If therefore you will not wake up (gregoreuo), I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you." (Rev 3:2, 3-note) John MacArthur wisely warns us that... Christians cannot disregard the Lord’s Word with impunity. To neglect Scripture is to disregard it and treat it as if it means nothing. Before long we cannot remember what we have received and heard, and the Lord’s way becomes more and more vague and indefinite. When His Word is indefinite to us we become indifferent to it, and we need to begin to “keep it, and repent.” If we do not, God will chasten us in love—at a time, and perhaps in a way, that we do not expect." (MacArthur, J: 1Corinthians. Page 472. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos) 4). False teachers: In view of the certainty of the attack on the church from within Paul instructed the Ephesian elders Therefore be on the alert (gregoreuo - present tense, imperative mood commands this to the overseers' continual practice), remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. (Acts 20:31) This is the clarion call to elders everywhere and for all times -- They are charged to be ever aware that the savage wolves (false teachers who would devour and destroy the faith of believers) are awaiting an opening to attack their flocks, they must be vigilant. Let me ask you dear elder -- First, do you teach those who are under your care (cp Titus 1:9-see note)? Secondly, do you monitor Sunday School classes and other studies (including video series) being offered to the "sheep". If you don't, you need to remember that you will still be held accountable for doing so and will be rewarded accordingly (cp 2Cor 5:9-note, 2Co 5:10-note, 1Co 3:10, 11, 12, 13, 14) Charles Jefferson explains why overseers must be continually on the alert: The Eastern shepherd was, first of all, a watchman. He had a watch-tower. It was his business to keep a wide-open eye, constantly searching the horizon for the possible approach of foes. He was bound to be circumspect and attentive. Vigilance was a cardinal virtue. An alert wakefulness was for him a necessity. He could not indulge in fits of drowsiness, for the foe was always near. Only by his alertness could the enemy be circumvented. There were many kinds of enemies, all of them terrible, each in a different way. At certain seasons of the year there were floods. Streams became quickly swollen and overflowed their banks. Swift action was necessary in order to escape destruction There were enemies of a more subtle kind—animals, rapacious and treacherous: lions, bears, hyenas, jackals, wolves. There were enemies in the air; huge birds of prey were always soaring aloft ready to swoop down upon a lamb or kid. And then, most dangerous of all, were the human birds and beasts of prey—robbers, bandits, men who made a business of robbing sheepfolds and murdering shepherds. That Eastern world was full of perils. It teemed with forces hostile to the shepherd and his flock. When Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Habakkuk talk about shepherds, they call them watchmen set to warn and save. Many a minister fails as a pastor because he is not vigilant. He allows his church to be torn to pieces because he is half asleep. He took it for granted that there were no wolves, no birds of prey, no robbers, and while he was drowsing the enemy arrived. False ideas, destructive interpretations, demoralizing teachings came into his group, and he never knew it. He was interested, perhaps, in literary research; he was absorbed in the discussion contained in the last theological quarterly, and did not know what his young people were reading, or what strange ideas had been lodged in the heads of a group of his leading members. There are errors which are as fierce as wolves and pitiless as hyenas; they tear faith and hope and love to pieces and leave churches, once prosperous, mangled and half dead." (Bolding added. The Minister as Shepherd, page 41, 42, 43, 44. Hong Kong: Living Books for All, 1980) 5). Listless Prayer: Gregoreuo is used in Colossians where Paul exhorts the saints to Devote (proskartereo; present imperative - command [not a suggestion] in the present tense = continuously = make this your lifestyle) yourselves to prayer, keeping alert (gregoreuo) in it with an attitude of thanksgiving." (Col 4:2, see note) ; cp example of Epaphras - Col 4:12-note, of Paul Col 1:9, 10, 11, 12, 13-see notes, the psalmist - Ps 55:16-Spurgeon's note, Ps 55:17-note) Lightfoot says: “Long continuance in prayer is apt to produce listlessness. Hence the additional charge that the heart must be awake, if the prayer is to have any value.” Paul's use of gregoreuo here suggests that in our prayers we are to guard against anything which would weaken their effectiveness, such as listlessness, carelessness or unbelief. 6). The Lord’s return (see discussion of Second Coming). When we take Communion we proclaim (and remember) the two great motives for faithful living - "you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." (1Cor 11:26) We look back to His Cross and forward to His imminent Coming (cp 1Jn 3:2-note, 1Jn 3:3-note). In the context of the pouring "out of the last seven bowl of the wrath of God into the earth" (Rev 16:1-note), Jesus speaks this fearful "beatitude"... Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake (gregoreuo) and keeps his garments, lest he walk about naked and men see his shame. (Rev 16:15 - see note) ><>><>><> THE SHRIKE SYSTEM - an excellent illustration of Peter's exhortation - The ancient sport of falconry used trained hawks or falcons in the pursuit of wild game. When the "educated predator" was allowed to fly, however, it often rose too high for human eyes to see it. So a hunter often carried a small caged bird called a Shrike. By watching the antics of the little bird, the man could always tell where his hawk was, for the shrike instinctively feared the predator and cocked its head to keep it in view. The Christian desperately needs the alert perception of the shrike when it comes to detecting his spiritual enemy....We're to be always on the alert. It would be nice if God had giant sirens to warn us of an attack by the devil. But the Lord doesn't operate that way. Instead, we must read the Bible regularly, meditate on its truths, maintain a prayerful attitude throughout the day, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Only then will we be sensitive to an imminent onslaught of the evil one, and be armed by grace to meet it. (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Is your spiritual "shrike system" working well? --(M R De Haan II) The devil is clever, deceiving us all, He subtly causes the strongest to fall; But we his sly methods are sure to discern By making God's warnings our daily concern. --DJD YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL PROWLS AROUND: o antidikos humon diabolos os leon oruomenos (PMPMSN) peripatei (3SPAI) zeton (PAPMSN) (tina) katapiein (AAN): (Esther 7:6; Job 1:6; 2:2; Ps 109:6; Is 50:8; Zech 3:1; Lk 22:31) Cross References on Satan - Schemes of the devil = Mt 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; 13:39; His doom is sure ! - Mt 25:41, Rev 20:10-see note ; The very essence of the nature of Satan = Jn 8:44 - when did he lie and murder? Ge 3:1,2,3, 4, 5, 6; Don't open the door to the devil and invite him into your house! Eph 4:26 - note; Eph 4:27-note; Eph 6:11-note; James 4:7 What is to be our heart's attitude in order to submit...resist? = James 4:6; 1Jn 3:8, 9, 10; The devil's last stand before the Throne of God = Rev 12:9-note, the devil's continual activity - Rev 12:10 -note; Rev 20:2,10. The Devil is a slanderer, "the accuser of our brethren" as John writes in Rev 12:10 -note, and he carries out his nefarious task "day and night." Not only does he accuse us before the throne of God, but he accuses us to ourselves! Paul says he is capable of shooting fiery missiles into our mind (Eph 6:16-note) and doubtless many of our self-defeating thoughts come from the "bow" of his demonic minions! He ever seeks to accuse us, to pile guilt upon guilt, continually prompting shame and continually coming against us with a desire to destroy us and our witness for the Lord.