“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” Matthew 13:25
One of the greatest strategies of the enemy is not always open confrontation but silent infiltration. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus revealed that the enemy did not sow weeds in broad daylight. He came while men slept.
The danger was not merely the enemy's presence but the absence of vigilance.
Spiritual sleep is more than physical rest. It is a state of carelessness, complacency, prayerlessness, and diminished sensitivity to God’s voice. Whenever believers neglect prayer, abandon the study of God’s Word, compromise holiness, become indifferent to spiritual realities, or presumptuously and ignorantly expect God to handle for them that which he has already entrusted to their actioning, they create opportunities for the enemy to have a free range and sow destructive seeds.
The devil continues to sow tares today. He sows false doctrine where truth is neglected, division where love is absent, bitterness where forgiveness is withheld, compromise where conviction has weakened, and discouragement where faith has grown cold. His objective is always to corrupt what God has planted and hinder the fruitfulness of God’s people.
The Church must therefore remain awake. Spiritual vigilance is not optional, it is essential. A praying church is difficult to infiltrate. A church that faithfully teaches the Scriptures is less vulnerable to deception. A united church frustrates the schemes of the enemy. When believers watch and pray together, they build a strong spiritual hedge against satanic intrusion.
The same principle applies to our personal lives. Our spiritual health, family, ministry, relationships, and destiny require constant watchfulness. Many battles are won long before they become visible because vigilant believers discern danger early and respond through prayer, obedience, and faith. We must daily guard our hearts, renew our minds with God’s Word, and remain filled with the Holy Spirit.
Yet vigilance is not driven by fear but by confidence in Christ. Our Lord has already conquered Satan through His death and resurrection. He has given His people authority to resist the devil, stand firm in faith, and overcome every scheme of darkness. As we abide in Christ and walk in obedience, the enemy finds no room to establish his agenda.
Today, God calls His Church to awaken from spiritual slumber. Let pastors shepherd diligently, leaders serve faithfully, parents watch over their families prayerfully, and every believer stand at their spiritual post. The enemy still seeks opportunities, but a watchful people will not be taken by surprise.
Let us therefore heed the words of Scripture: “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” When we remain spiritually alert, rooted in God’s Word, persistent in prayer, and steadfast in holiness, the tares of the enemy will never overcome the harvest God has prepared.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, awaken Your Church from every form of spiritual slumber. Fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit, strengthen our prayer lives, deepen our love for Your Word, and grant us discernment to recognize and resist every scheme of the enemy. Guard our homes, our ministries, and our lives from every evil seed. Keep us faithful, watchful, and victorious until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Ven. Olusegun Onafeso
CRM