"AWARE SERVANTS”

The concept of awareness suggests, among other things, cognizance. As this relates to discipleship, awareness is the ability to discern God’s will and to foresee danger. The Bible speaks of having eyes to see, which means not only knowing God’s will, but likewise recognizing how to prepare our hearts to do God's will.

Jesus often mentioned the need for eyes that see and ears that hear. Jesus was speaking of the need for perception and understanding of His word. Matt. 13:15 – “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should turn again, and I should heal them.” The absence of spiritual wisdom was the underlying reason for which Jesus was crucified. (1 Cor. 2:6-8).

Spiritual awareness means having our senses exercised to discern between good and evil (Heb. 5:14). It involves foresight. For example, we might have the wisdom and knowledge to get ourselves out of a hole, but do we know how to recognize the hole and avoid falling in? That is foresight. Satan’s traps are disguised. “A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.” (Prov. 22:3).

Discernment without resolve and appropriate action is a waste. Read again the proverb above, noting the phrase 'and hideth himself'. That is resolve. Daniel and his 3 friends are an example (Dan. 1:8). Discernment without resolve is like faith without works (cf. Rom. 1:5; 16:26). As James asked, 'what doeth it profit' (Jms. 2:14-17). It is without fear and doubt. Daniel did not fear to be dealt with as the overseer saw fit." Dan. 1:13 states, "Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king’s dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants." 

Only an obedient faith has such confidence. Works of merit will fear investigation and fail scrutiny. Trusting in your own power to resist temptation is to believe that you can withstand Satan. God's wisdom warns that no one can take fire in his bosom and not be burned (Prov. 6:27).

Temptations will never be escaped without purpose of heart. Lust will always conquer the individual who has not crucified himself to the world (Gal. 5:24; 6:14). The saying, “where there’s a will there’s a way,” applies to fulfilling lust as well as overcoming it.