The Perils of Sleep

Scott had decided to surprise his future wife Barbara with a visit on her birthday, but the visit had come to an end and it was time to return to Washington D.C. where Scott studied as a law student. As Barbara dropped him off at the Kansas City International airport, she began making her way home when a semi driver rear ended her car at approximately, sending her across the median straight into oncoming traffic where she was hit head on, killing her instantly. It was later reported that the driver of the semi that hit her from behind had fallen asleep while driving. While sleeping at the right time is crucial, sleeping at the wrong place and the wrong time can be deadly, and yet how many today are making the same mistake.

Just as the driver of the semi fell asleep in the middle of the day, many Christians are beginning to nod off into a deep sleep in the middle of the day. The luxuries and pleasures of life have lulled them into a deadly slumber and as they are barreling down the highway of life, their eyes are growing heavy and they are beginning to nod in and out of sleep. It is because of this danger that the apostle Paul warns, “let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

Of course, Paul is not telling us to refrain from physical sleep. Again, sleep is not only good, but necessary for one’s well-being. No, this is a different kind of sleep that the apostle is warning us from falling into. It is a condition of spiritual sleep which we are being warned against. As one who is sleeping is not aware of what takes place around them, one who is spiritually asleep is not alert to what is spiritually taking place around them. The spiritual senses lie dormant and we lose sight of the spiritual battle taking place in our midst.

There are many Christians today who, like the driver of that semi, are making their way down the road of life in a slumber. While evil angels labor tirelessly to bring us to eternal ruin, many professed Christians live as if there were no spiritual world existing around them. While people are spiritually lost in sin and heading towards eternal death, they remain unalarmed to what is taking place in the invisible world beyond our vision, but the Bible gives us a view at this war going on ‘behind the scenes,’ stating that while so many of us remain spiritually asleep to our danger, “the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

In 1856 Pastor William Ramsey wrote, “One of the most striking proofs of the personal existence of Satan, which our times afford us, is found in the fact, that he has so influenced the minds of multitudes in reference to his existence and doings, as to make them believe that he does not exist.” Because so many are convinced there is no devil Christians must passionately warn to the world. If there was a literal lion preparing to kill a child you would scream fanatically, but one more dangerous is about to take many souls and we remain silent for fear of offending!

Christians, there is a spiritual war taking place. A great warfare continues to rage around us while the eyelids of many Christians are beginning to get heavy. In the midst of the most deadly conflict God’s people are on the verge of falling asleep. Again, sleep is good and there will be a time to sleep, but that time is not now. If we sleep now there will be deadly consequences. God’s call is, “Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men” (Joel 3:9). There are souls in peril all around us and “it is high time to awake out of sleep” (Rom. 13:11). It is time that Christians awake out of their spiritual slumber, warn the world of the impending danger, and rescue those in peril all around us.