The five imperatives that Paul lists in I Cor. 16:13-14 start with “Be Watchful’.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

Other translations for ‘Be watchful’ are:

– be on the alert

– be on guard

– stay alert or be alert 

Paul tells the Ephesians in the section on spiritual warfare to be alert:

Eph 6:18 “Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Peter tells his readers when reminding them that they have an enemy to be watchful 

I Peter 5:8:

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Jesus tells his followers in Luke 21:34-36

“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down…. But keep on the alert at all times, praying…”

This is what men do – we are watchful. We are alert. We are on guard. People are depending on us as protectors and providers so playing games is over. We must always be alert. Men are no longer boys. 

I Corinthians 13:11

“When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”

Prayer

Father God, please give me grace to mark this moment and to put childish ways behind me. Mold me and shape me to rise up into Christ centered manhood.  In Jesus Name, Amen