1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
1. Be Watchful
Isaiah 56:10, NLT
For the leaders of my people—the Lord’s watchmen, his shepherds—are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.
1 Peter 5:8, NIV
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Mark 14:38, NIV
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Revelation 3:1-2, NIV
I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die…
2 Timothy 4:3-5, NKJV
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things.
Matthew 24:42, NIV
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
2. Stand Firm in the Faith
1 Corinthians 15:1, NIV
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
Ephesians 6:10-11, NIV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:13-14, NIV
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm…
Ephesians 4:14, NLT
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
3. Act Like Men
1 Corinthians 13:11, NIV
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
1 Corinthians 14:20, NIV
Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
2 Peter 3:18, NIV
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
James 1:2-4, NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
4. Be Strong
1 Corinthians 4:7, NIV
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
1 Corinthians 4:10, NIV
We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NLT
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Ephesians 3:16, NIV
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…
Ephesians 6:10, NIV
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Philippians 4:13, NKJV
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Colossians 1:11, NLT
We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.
5. Do Everything In Love
John 15:12-13, NIV
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.