Watch! — Words to Live By

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” —1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Have you ever wanted to memorize a verse(s) that would challenge and motivate you to live a pure life even in an immoral society? Paul wrote such a message to the believers in Corinth, who were surrounded by immorality and corruption in their society—and even struggled with similar problems in their church. John MacArthur says that in these two verses we find five commands—the Corinthians were “to be alert, firm, mature, strong, and loving.” What follows is an examination of these commands and other verses to support them:

Watch:
It means “to be watchful, be on the alert, be on your guard, be vigilant, be awake.” (For military members it sounds like someone on guard duty, or prepared.)

Scriptural exhortations to be watchful:

We are to be watchful for the return of the Lord:

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! — Mark 13:32-37

We are to be watchful against the devil:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8

We are to be watchful (alert) in prayer:

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. — Colossians 4:2

We are to be watchful over our lips:

He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. — Proverbs 13:3

We are to be watchful over our lives and doctrine:

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. — 1 Timothy 4:16 (Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching . . . NASB, Watch your life and doctrine closely . . . NIV)

Stand fast in the faith:
It means “to stand firm, to persist, to persevere.”

Scriptural exhortations to stand fast:

We are to stand fast in one spirit:

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. — Philippians 1:27

We are to stand fast in the work of the Lord:

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. — 1 Corinthians 15:58

We are to stand fast in our liberty in Christ:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. — Galatians 5:1

We are to stand fast in the armor of God:

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. — Ephesians 6:13

We are to stand fast in the word of God:

Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. — 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Be brave, be strong:
It means “to make a man of, to show one’s self a man”, and “to strengthen, to make strong, to increase in strength.”

Scriptural exhortations to be brave and strong:

We are to be strong and courageous for God is with us:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. — Joshua 1:9

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. — Deuteronomy 31:6

We are to be strong in the Lord:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. — Ephesians 6:10

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:13

We are to wait on the Lord for strength:

But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. — Isaiah 40:31

Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! — Psalm 27:14

Let all that you do be done with love:

Scriptural exhortations to act with love:

We are to love without hypocrisy:

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. — 1 Timothy 1:5

We are to love fervently and forgivingly:

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins”. — 1 Peter 4:8

We are to love practically:

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. — 1 John 3:17-18

We are to love in speaking the truth:

But, speaking the truth in love, (we) may grow up in all things into Him who is the head–Christ. — Ephesians 4:15

Do you feel enlightened? encouraged? convicted? strengthened? humbled? All of the above? My prayer is that you would spend time in God’s word, and then memorize 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 so that you can say, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” — Psalm 119:11

Questions to Share:

1. Which of the five commands is the most challenging for you and why?

2. Within the exhortation of that particular command, which verse is particularly helpful to you? Consider memorizing that verse also.