So let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. – 1 Thessalonians 5:6
That afternoon nap—is it good for you? The National Sleep Foundation says that naps are good for children and adults alike. Mayo Clinic warns that napping at the wrong time of day could backfire. While there are benefits, like reduced fatigue and an improved mood, napping can leave you groggy and disoriented and unable to get a good night’s sleep later. If you do nap, Mayo says, keep it to 10 to 20 minutes, and nap before 3 in the afternoon.
The Amplified Bible renders today’s verse this way: “So then let us not sleep in spiritual indifference as the rest of the world does, but let us keep wide awake, alert, and cautious and let us be sober, self-controlled, calm, and wise.” The Greek word for keeping awake or staying alert is often used in military terms, indicating a state of readiness, expecting that action may be required at any moment. Theologian Warren Wiersbe says, “Live expectantly. … Live ‘with eternity’s values in view.’” Being alert is the antithesis of spiritual “fuzziness,” one commentator said. You are to live with your spiritual and physical eyes wide open.
Bible scholar A.W. Pink wrote, “Slumbering saints! What an incongruity! Taking their ease while threatened by danger. Lazing instead of fighting the good fight of faith.” It is time to lay aside spiritual ennui. You are not powerless. If your body needs a physical nap, be wise as you take it. Your spiritual self, however, must stay alert. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Today’s Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
