Kaya nga, kailangang tayo’y manatiling gising, laging handa, at malinaw ang isip, at di tulad ng iba.

1 Mga Taga-Tesalonica 5:6

Let’s play a game! Dolphins, guinea pigs, and penguins — anong pagkakapareho ng mga ito? Sirit? They can all sleep with their eyes open. Ang isang parte ng hemisphere ng kanilang utak ay tulog, at ang isa naman ay gising. This allows them to stay alert from their predators.

Just like them, we are also prey, and we have a predator — si Satan. He is always on a hunt to tempt and cause us harm (1 Peter 5:8). To avoid entrapment, Apostle Paul gave us three propositions in 1 Thessalonians 5:6:

First, manatiling gising. When we are asleep, we lose conscious awareness of what’s happening around us. So, Paul implied na huwag tayong masyadong relaxed. Haven’t you noticed? Our defenses are down during times of weaknesses and when we are too comfortable in life. Kaya panatilihin nating bukas ang ating mga mata at maging mapanuri bago tayo gumawa ng hakbang.

Second, maging laging handa — parang isang Girl Scout o Boy Scout! By putting our full confidence in God, reading His Words and applying them in our lives, kayang-kaya nating salagin ang kahit anong ibato satin ng kaaway. Paul added in verse 8, “… put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.” The full armor of God is made available to us. Suotin natin ito araw-araw!

And lastly, maging malinaw ang isip. Being overly invested in something hampers sound judgment. Kahit anong sobra ay nakakasama. What is clouding your judgment right now? Baka may kailangan ka ng bawasan o tanggalin sa buhay mo para ma-improve ang iyong decision making.

This advice from the Apostle Paul empowers us to be vigilant instead of fearful of the enemy. May laban tayo dahil nasa panig natin ang Diyos!