Dangers of Being Asleep

Last time, we learnt about the different stages that lead to spiritual death and that being asleep spiritually is one of those stages.

Spiritually On Fire  ---> Spiritual Drowsiness  ---> Spiritual Slumber ---> Spiritually Asleep ---> Spiritual Death

There is great danger when a person is spiritually asleep and we will  examine two case studies in the bible today. They are Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul.

Apostle Peter

In Acts 12, King  Herod Agrippa had killed apostle James, John’s brother and one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. When he noticed that this was pleasing to the Jews, King Herod  went ahead to imprison apostle Peter, ensuring there was no way of escape for Peter.

“Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. 5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him. 6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate.” Acts 12:4-6 NLT

Wow! Four squads of four soldiers, making a total of 16 soldiers for just one man!! Just to ensure peter did  not escape, he was fastened with two chains, in between two soldiers. Just in case he escaped those soldiers, others stood guard at the prison gate. Acts 12:10 shows there were two different guard posts in the case that he escaped, which at this point seemed impossible as there was an iron gate positioned before exiting into the city. It wasn’t an ordinary wooden door but an iron gate, so you would definitely need some specialized tools to be able to cut through such doors. With all these, it was humanly impossible for apostle peter to escape this prison. King Herod ensured he was in bondage and remained in bondage, but thank God, the church prayed!!!

Apostle Peter might have lost all hopes especially with apostle James, who was killed by the same king. It is reflected in Acts 12:6 that Peter was asleep the night before his trial. This was not the same reaction by Paul and Silas when they were thrown in prison in Acts 16.

Apostle Paul

When Paul and Silas had cast out a demonic spirit from a slave girl who enabled her to tell the future, her  owners had falsely accused them; they were beaten with wooden rods and then thrown into prison. In Acts 16:24, it mentions that they were into the inner dungeon and their feets were clamped in stocks. First, they had been beaten mercilessly and then thrown into the inner dungeon. Despite  the pain and situation, when midnight came, they were awake. They did not fall asleep but instead, started praying and singing hymns to God and suddenly, an earthquake took place and all prison doors were opened and chains fell from all prisoners (Acts 16:25-26). Not only did their chains fall off but it also broke the chains of the other prisoners. The bible doesn’t mention that the church or anyone was praying for Paul and Silas. If they weren’t awake spiritually, they may have remained in that prison. It truly pays to be spiritually awake!

Many are in a similar situation like Peter. They are asleep spiritually and the devil has put them in bondage, tightening the chains, ensuring they never get out of that bondage. He has strategically placed things and people in their lives ensuring that they never escape. But I have good news for you today, God can deliver you from any form of bondage. Yes, you know you are spiritually asleep and you have tried several times to get out of that situation and it just doesn’t seem like anything is changing but remember what the bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT

“9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”

This is where spiritual human authorities come in. Because God has ordained them as a covering over your life, they are able to step in to intercede on your behalf. Just like the church prayed for Peter when he was asleep, spiritual human authorities are able to stand in the gap for you, ensuring you get out of that bondage.

It pays to be under spiritual human authority but more so, when we are spiritually alert and awake.

Are you in any form of bondage and you have tried in your own strength and nothing seems to be working? God is bigger than any bondage and can deliver you. But first, you need to give your heart unto Jesus Christ. He is the only one that can break any chains or bondage that seems humanly impossible to get out of. If you would like to surrender your heart unto Jesus Christ today, please say this prayer:

“Lord Jesus Christ, I believe you are the Son of God and I believe You died for me on the cross of Calvary. I know I am a sinner and today, I come to You to forgive me of all my sins and to make me a brand new creation. I accept You as my personal Lord and Saviour. Thank you Lord for forgiving me and making me born again, in Jesus name, Amen”.

Congratulations!!!! You are now born-again! (It simply means a new born baby in Christ and there is celebration in heaven right now because of YOU!)

If you made this decision, I will love to hear from you! Please leave a comment on this post or reach out to me at https://www.cccghq.org/contact/

By: Pastor Ibukun Adewusi