Spiritual Slumber

 Introduction

Are you spiritually asleep? A state of spiritual slumber? I wondered about this for myself prior to this year’s Passover, so I dug into the subject and will share what I discovered with you.

This year I took part in my 28th Passover. For a number of you in this room, that number is significantly higher. At this point in my life, the physical aspects of deleavening and the Passover ceremony have become fairly routine — and that’s understandable. However, I don’t want the spiritual depth and personal meaning of this sacred observance to ever feel routine.

While we are clearly instructed to examine ourselves prior to the event, I’ve been reflecting on whether this should be the only time of year we do so. We may examine ourselves more intently approaching the Passover, but we should maintain a regular spirit of self-examination throughout the year. There is a real spiritual danger if we fail to do so.

This year, one question that weighed on my mind was this: Have I allowed myself to drift into a spiritual sleep? Am I running on spiritual autopilot? Perhaps you’ve asked yourself the same question, and if you haven’t, maybe you should. With that in mind, let’s turn to a sobering warning from Jesus Christ in Mark chapter 13.

Jesus issued a warning for us about spiritual sleep. Let’s read Christ’s warning in Mark 13, verses 32 – 37.

Mrk 13:32  "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Mrk 13:33  Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

Mrk 13:34  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.

Mrk 13:35  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—

Mrk 13:36  lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.

Mrk 13:37  And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Spiritual sleep can a dangerous place to be as we may find ourselves spiritually unprepared at Christ’s return. The most concerning aspect is that we may not even realize we are in a state of slumber until it is too late.

For the remainder this message, we will consider the scriptural teachings of spiritual slumber. We will analyze Jesus’ instructions which we just read. We will then look at a biblical event which can serve as an example of finding oneself unprepared for Christ’s return. We will consider whether we, ourselves, are asleep. If we are, what is prescription to awaken and ensure we don’t fall back into this precarious state?

Jesus’ Instructions

Firstly, let’s analyze what Jesus instructed His disciples regarding spiritual slumber. If you recall in Mark 13:33, Jesus instructed us to take heed, to watch, and to pray.

But what exactly should we take heed of? What, specifically, are we called to watch for? And what should we be praying for?

The context of these instructions is clear: the timing of His return is unknown to us. The metaphor that followed emphasizes that if we are spiritually “asleep” when He comes, we risk being caught unprepared by His sudden arrival. 

Please turn to Luke chapter 21. Luke’s record of the same conversation on the Mount of Olives provides a clear explanation of the same principle in Mark 13. Here, Jesus expands on what it means to take heed, watch and pray. We will read Luke 21:34–36.

Luk 21:34  "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

Luk 21:35  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luk 21:36  Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Luke’s account clearly states that we are to take heed to ourselves. For if we don’t, we can fall into the temptation of worldly cares. 

Here, "take heed" means to pay close, sustained attention to our own inner state – our heart, priorities, and daily habits. It’s a call to proactive self-examination and caution, so that we will not be laden with sin on the arrival of “that Day”.

It’s stronger than just “pay attention.” It implies deliberate mindfulness and protective focus – the kind of attention we’d give if something truly important (or dangerous) was at stake. 

The word translated as “watch” — both here in Luke 21 and in Mark 13 — literally means to keep awake. To stay vigilant. Jesus is warning us not to allow ourselves to fall into a spiritual slumber.

In today’s language, we might say: “Don’t be caught sleeping on the job,” or “Don’t let yourself be found asleep at the wheel” — that is, neglecting our responsibilities when we are called to stay alert and attentive.

Lastly, we are to pray that we are accounted worthy to escape the events that will transpire on earth prior to His return. Not taking heed to ourselves clearly would disqualify us from being accounted worthy. 

Phrased differently, we are instructed to guard our behavior so we don’t’ fall to temptation and sin, and to remain vigilant, praying that we can escape the Great Tribulation.

Jesus gave similar warnings to the seven churches in Revelation chapter 3. We will look at warnings to two of the churches. The first one we will read is the warning to the church at Laodicea. Revelation, chapter 3, verse 17 – 18.

Rev 3:17  Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

Rev 3:18  I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

The final word “see” is the same Greek word as “take heed.” Clear spiritual vision includes the ability to see ourselves for what we truly are.

Earlier in this chapter, in verses 1 – 3 of chapter 3, Jesus warns the Church in Sardis to be watchful.

Rev 3:1  "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Rev 3:2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

Rev 3:3  Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Again, the context is the same as we previously read: be watchful or we will be unprepared for His return. 

Jesus instructs us to take heed, watch, and pray. It seems clear that if we neglect our spiritual responsibilities—whether by failing to resist sin or, even more seriously, by deliberately indulging in it—He warns that He will return at an hour we do not expect, leaving no opportunity for repentance. He is not timing His return to catch us doing something wrong. After all, He does not know the day or the hour of His return. This is simply a warning that if our focus is elsewhere, we may fail to recognize the signs of His coming and find ourselves caught by surprise.

The Example

Now let’s consider an example of finding oneself caught by suprise. Please turn to Matthew chapter 26. This chapter records an event that serves as a vivid illustration. That’s Matthew 26, and we will read verses 36 – 46. 

Mat 26:36  Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."

Mat 26:37  And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

Mat 26:38  Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."

Mat 26:39  He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

Mat 26:40  Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?

Mat 26:41  Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Mat 26:42  Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."

Mat 26:43  And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.

Mat 26:44  So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Mat 26:45  Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Mat 26:46  Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

The disciples awoke to a chaotic scene as Christ was betrayed by one of their own. Within the next 24 hours they watched Him arrested, tried, tortured, and executed. They had spent the previous three and a half years walking with this remarkable man whose fame had spread widely—so widely, in fact, that they themselves had become well-known because of their association with Him.

Yet overnight, the world they had grown accustomed to was violently upended. They were utterly unprepared for what unfolded. All the disciples forsook Him and fled when Jesus was arrested, though a couple bravely followed at a distance to the high priest’s residence to witness the questioning. There, Peter—when confronted—vehemently denied even knowing Him.

This stood in stark contrast to just four days earlier, when Peter and the disciples had basked in the adulation of the crowds. They had watched as throngs of people spread palm branches before Jesus and shouted “Hosanna!” while He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey—the triumphal entry as prophesied by Zechariah.

Yet, they were caught by surprise in the new reality in which they found themselves. They had been told repeatedly of what would happen, but they simply did not understand. The most important event in history was taking place under their feet, and they were swept away by the magnitude and profundity of these events.

When Jesus Christ returns, it will be an event of far greater magnitude than anything the world has ever seen. The entire earth will be unprepared for it, and it will come unexpectedly. And, like His first coming, it will bring one age to a close while giving birth to the new.

While the events recorded in this chapter are not a direct parallel to what may be experienced when one is ill-prepared for Christ’s return, they serve as a sobering illustration of how helpless and hopeless someone may personally find themselves if they are caught unprepared. 

The disciples did not watch and pray as Jesus requested, but slept, and while all save Judas, who was absent, had proclaimed they would die with Jesus, they instead abandoned him. Will we?

Are We Asleep?

So, the pertinent question for us is, are we asleep? Do we personally fit the pattern? More importantly, are we neglecting our spiritual duties while we’re awake? Are we taking heed, watching and praying? Or are we negligent, indulging in certain, choice sins, letting our spiritual guard down, or compromising our faith?

I will personally attest to you that one reason I started speaking again is because I was struggling with my Bible study – I became too lax. Speaking forces me to study. There are too many other interesting distractions, and letting my guard down, I pursued those over reading the Book. The fact that I was aware of it shows me that I was taking heed, and eventually I acted. But one corrective action does not salvation bring.

Please turn to Matthew chapter 25, where we will read a well-known parable by Jesus that provides some enlightenment about spiritual sleep. That’s Matthew 25, verses 1 – 13.

Mat 25:1  "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Mat 25:2  Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

Mat 25:3  Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,

Mat 25:4  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Mat 25:5  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

Mat 25:6  "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'

Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

Mat 25:8  And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

Mat 25:11  "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'

Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'

Mat 25:13  "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Notice that all the virgins slumbered and slept. So, it is quite probable that we all at one point or another in our spiritual journey have been, or will be, asleep. They all had their lamps and lit them. The foolish didn’t bring any oil, that is of course, representing the Holy Spirit, but the wise brought oil in vessels along with their lamp. In other words, they had enough to refill their lamp if it were running low to keep the flame alive.

I’ve been to Israel and have seen lamps such as described here. They are quite small, so one would need an external container of oil if you needed to keep the flame alive for an indeterminant length of time. 

The primary difference between the wise and the foolish, it appears, is that the wise had, during their waking hours, acquired enough oil to keep their lamp burning. Interestingly, we see that the five wise who brought oil did not receive chastisement for their slumber, but only that the foolish were turned away for their lack. 

Please turn to Luke 12. That’s Luke 12, verses 35 – 48.

Luk 12:35  "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;

Luk 12:36  and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.

Luk 12:37  Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

Luk 12:38  And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

Luk 12:39  But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

Luk 12:40  Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Luk 12:41  Then Peter said to Him, "Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?"

Luk 12:42  And the Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

Luk 12:43  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

Luk 12:44  Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

Luk 12:45  But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,

Luk 12:46  the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Luk 12:47  And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luk 12:48  But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Finally in this section, please turn to Hebrews chapter 3. Paul, if he is the author of Hebrews, reminds us to act today. That’s Hebrews 3, verses 12 and 13. 

Heb 3:12  Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

Heb 3:13  but exhort one another daily, while it is called "TODAY," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

So, are we spiritually asleep? If we are not, it’s possible we will be at some point, although we are instructed to watch, that is, keep awake or stay vigilant. If we do not watch, our master will return at a time we don’t expect. Even more importantly, we are to take heed, guarding against the deceitfulness of sin, and believing we have time to indulge now and can repent later. There is no later. The time is now.

How to Awaken if Asleep

How can we awaken if we are asleep? Turn to Roman’s chapter 13. We will read verses 11-14. That is Roman’s 13:11-14.

Rom 13:11  And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Rom 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Rom 13:13  Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Rom 13:14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Next, please turn Ephesians 5. We will read verses 8 – 18. That’s Ephesians 5:8-18.

Eph 5:8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Eph 5:9  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

Eph 5:10  finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Eph 5:11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Eph 5:12  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

Eph 5:13  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

Eph 5:14  Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

Eph 5:15  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

Eph 5:16  redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Notice how in veres 15–16 the wise are described as redeeming the time—a clear echo of the wise virgins in Jesus’ parable. Then, in verse 17, Paul urges believers not to be unwise, but rather to understand the will of the Lord. This suggests that the unwise virgins may have fallen short precisely because they failed to discern or prioritize the Lord’s will, resulting in a form of spiritual neglect. They simply did not invest the necessary time in preparation.

The two sections of Scripture we just covered instruct us to:

Wake up

Understand God’s will

Cast off the works of darkness

Put on the armor of light

Expose the dark works of the flesh

Make no provision for the flesh

Walk circumspectly

Being spiritually awakened sounds very much like repentance to me.

How to Stay Awake

Once awake, how do we keep from falling asleep – from succumbing to spiritual slumber? 

First, there is an interesting verse in Proverbs that can apply here. Don’t turn there but if you wish to note the scripture it is Proverbs 19:15. I will simply read it to you. Proverbs 19:15.

Pro 19:15  Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

This has clear spiritual application. A spiritually lazy person likewise will fall into a deep spiritual sleep. Just as a spiritually idle person may suffer spiritual hunger. 

Now, please turn to 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. To answer the question of how to not fall into spiritual slumber, we will read verses 2 – 8. That’s 1 Thessalonians 5:2 – 8.

1Th 5:2  For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

1Th 5:3  For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

1Th 5:4  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

1Th 5:5  You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

1Th 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

1Th 5:7  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

1Th 5:8  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Have you detected the pattern? These passages cover the same themes. Waking up and staying awake require walking circumspectly, or we could say “taking heed,” watching soberly, and putting on the armor of God.

Therefore, let’s turn to Ephesians chapter 6 to review. We will read about the armor God. Ephesians 6:10 – 18.

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

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Eph 6:13  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.

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Eph 6:15  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Eph 6:16  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Eph 6:18  praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Conclusion

To conclude, Jesus warned us that His return will catch us by surprise if we are spiritually asleep. For that reason, He gave us clear instructions to ensure we are not unprepared for this epoch-changing event.

He told us to take heed, watch, and pray. Taking heed means walking carefully and circumspectly so we do not drift back into sin, mistakenly thinking we will have time to repent later. Watching means staying spiritually alert and awake. And we are to pray that we will be accounted worthy to escape the events that will precede and accompany His return.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins shows that all who await His return may fall into a spiritual slumber, yet only half were prepared with the bridegroom’s sudden arrival. Finally, to awaken and stay awake, we are to put on the armor of God. 

The question remains: will we be ready?

I wish to close with a warning from Hebrews chapter 2. We will read verses 1 – 3.

Heb 2:1  Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

Heb 2:2  For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,

Heb 2:3  how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

Hopefully, we are not among those who neglect, but among those who, wearing the armor of God, take heed, are watchful, and in prayer.