Watchman

As I was pressed against the wall, lifted from the ground by my neck screaming get away from me! I knew this was not the lifestyle God created for me. I was being attacked for pointing out that the drugs being consumed by my partner could and would eventually kill him. I would always tell others that I did not know what was going on, but I knew the way I was living at the time was not one God created for me to live. I began being a watchman over my own life.

A watchman according to dictionary.com is described as a man employed to look after an empty building, especially at night. Historical definition states a watchman is a member of a body of people employed to keep watch in a town at night. A watchman is to sound the alarm when notice of danger, so the people can become aware and get to safety. Leaders, Pastors, and teachers are all watchman over the people listening to them, but we are also Watchman over our own lives. We are asked “do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells in you (1 Corinthians 3;16). Knowing that your body is Gods temple, will that encourage you to care for yourself more?

1 Peter 5;8 tells us to be sober, be vigilant; because your enemy the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour. A careful watch is being vigilant and allows discernment so we can be great watchman over our lives as well as others. Ezekiel 33;8-9 says “When I say to the wicked, “you wicked person, you will surely die, and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.” The lord takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, he rather us turn from sin and live (Ezekiel 33;11). With discernment we are given the tools needed to protect and sound an alarm for ourselves and others when danger is approaching. To have discernment you must build and stand on your faith. Building yourself upon the most holy faith allows us to be vigilant and watchmen over ourselves. The question is with the tools available to you, will you turn from sin so you may begin to live? When following Christ our lives will not look “normal” to the world, but it isn’t supposed to.