CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Vigilance</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/v/vigilance.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/proverbs/4-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/v/vigilance.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Vigilance</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/v/vigil.htm" title="Vigil">◄</a> Vigilance <a href="/topical/v/vigilance_against_complacency.htm" title="Vigilance Against Complacency">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition and Importance</b> <br>Vigilance, in a biblical context, refers to the state of being watchful and alert, particularly in spiritual matters. It involves a constant readiness to respond to spiritual challenges and temptations, maintaining a steadfast focus on God's will and purposes. Vigilance is crucial for Christians as it helps guard against spiritual complacency and the wiles of the enemy.<br><br><b>Biblical References</b> <br>The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of vigilance. In <a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>, believers are admonished, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This verse underscores the necessity of being spiritually alert to resist the devil's schemes.<br><br>Jesus Himself instructed His disciples to be vigilant. In <a href="/matthew/26-41.htm">Matthew 26:41</a>, He said, "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Here, vigilance is linked with prayer, highlighting the need for spiritual discipline to overcome human frailty.<br><br><b>Vigilance in the Old Testament</b> <br>The concept of vigilance is also present in the Old Testament. <a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a> advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse calls for a vigilant guarding of one's inner life, recognizing that the heart is the source of one's actions and attitudes.<br><br>Nehemiah exemplified vigilance when rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. In <a href="/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9</a>, it is recorded, "But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat." Nehemiah's actions demonstrate the balance of prayer and practical vigilance in the face of opposition.<br><br><b>Vigilance in the New Testament</b> <br>The New Testament continues to stress vigilance as a vital aspect of Christian living. In <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a>, Paul writes, "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober." This call to spiritual wakefulness is a reminder of the imminent return of Christ and the need to be prepared.<br><br>The parable of the ten virgins in <a href="/matthew/25.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a> further illustrates the importance of vigilance. The wise virgins were prepared and watchful, while the foolish ones were not, resulting in their exclusion from the wedding feast. This parable serves as a warning to remain spiritually alert and ready for the Lord's coming.<br><br><b>Practical Application</b> <br>Vigilance requires a proactive approach to spiritual life. It involves regular prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers to remain spiritually sharp. <a href="/ephesians/6-18.htm">Ephesians 6:18</a> encourages believers to "pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints."<br><br>Moreover, vigilance includes self-examination and accountability. <a href="/hebrews/3-12.htm">Hebrews 3:12-13</a> warns, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." This passage highlights the role of community in maintaining vigilance against sin.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b> <br>While vigilance is a personal responsibility, it is also a communal endeavor. Believers are called to support and encourage one another in their spiritual watchfulness, ensuring that they remain steadfast in their faith and ready for the return of Christ.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) Watchfulness in respect of danger; care; caution; circumspection.<p>2. (<I>n.</I>) The quality or state of being vigilant; forbearance of sleep; wakefulness.<p>3. (<I>n.</I>) Guard; watch.<a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/5442.htm"><span class="l">5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 5442 (akin to 5441 , "a military guard") -- properly, preserve by "having an eye<br> on" (J. Thayer), referring to the uninterrupted <b>vigilance</b> shepherds show in <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5442.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 9k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/bounds/the_necessity_of_prayer/xi_prayer_and_vigilance.htm"><span class="l">Prayer and <b>vigilance</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> XI. PRAYER AND <b>VIGILANCE</b>. <b>...</b> His was a life of intense conflict, the facing of many<br> adversaries, the exercise of unsleeping <b>vigilance</b> and constant effort. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xi prayer and vigilance.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_g/the_charge_of_the_pilgrim.htm"><span class="l">The Charge of the Pilgrim Priests</span></a> <br><b>...</b> that you may keep.' Or to translate it into other words: The treasure which is given<br> into our hands requires, for its safe preservation, unceasing <b>vigilance</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the charge of the pilgrim.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_g/an_unwalled_city.htm"><span class="l">An Unwalled City</span></a> <br><b>...</b> picture to ourselves some little garrison holding a lonely outpost against lurking<br> savages ready to attack if ever the defenders slacken their <b>vigilance</b> for a <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/an unwalled city.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bounds/the_reality_of_prayer/ii_prayerfills_mans_poverty_with.htm"><span class="l">Prayer --Fills Man's Poverty with God's Riches</span></a> <br><b>...</b> <b>Vigilance</b> and profound insight are in it, the faculty of knowing. <b>...</b> The prayer life<br> is knowledge without and within. All <b>vigilance</b> without, all <b>vigilance</b> within. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/ii prayerfills mans poverty with.htm</font><p><a href="/library/simpson/days_of_heaven_upon_earth_/march_2_that_good_thing.htm"><span class="l">March 2. "That Good Thing which was Committed unto Thee Keep by <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> God, then, requires us to stand in holy <b>vigilance</b>, and He will do exceeding abundantly<br> for us as we hold fast that which is good, and He will also be in us a <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /march 2 that good thing.htm</font><p><a href="/library/leo/writings_of_leo_the_great/sermon_xvi_on_the_fast.htm"><span class="l">On the Fast of the Tenth Month.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Against common enemies for the common safety all alike should exercise the same<br> <b>vigilance</b> lest from one member's wound other members also be injured, and they <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xvi on the fast.htm</font><p><a href="/library/sainte-foi/serious_hours_of_a_young_lady/chapter_vi_eve_and_mary.htm"><span class="l">Eve and Mary Continued.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Now, we can safely say that its venom has already tainted the young lady's heart,<br> when, through inattention and want of <b>vigilance</b>, she has suffered doubt to <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter vi eve and mary.htm</font><p><a href="/library/anonymous/the_general_menaion/chapter_xi_the_service_common.htm"><span class="l">The Service Common to Two or Many Hierarchs.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> As emulators of the apostles in labours and <b>vigilance</b>, ye, O God-wise and<br> glorious, have presided over the people of the church. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xi the service common.htm</font><p><a href="/library/allestree/the_government_of_the_tongue/the_preface.htm"><span class="l">The Preface</span></a> <br><b>...</b> 2. Indeed that skill was never very easy, it requiring the greatest <b>vigilance</b> and<br> caution, and therefore not to be attained by loose trifling spirits. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/allestree/the government of the tongue/the preface.htm</font><p><a href="/library/bangs/a_history_of_the_methodist_episcopal_church_volume_i/chapter_1_from_the_conference.htm"><span class="l">From the Conference of 1773 to the Commencement of the War in 1776</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It seems that, notwithstanding the <b>vigilance</b> of Mr. Asbury in correcting those abuses<br> which had arisen from the laxity with which discipline had been <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chapter 1 from the conference.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/v/vigilance.htm"><span class="l"><b>Vigilance</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 3. (n.) Guard; watch. Multi-Version Concordance <b>Vigilance</b> (1 Occurrence). Proverbs<br> 4:23 And keep watch over your heart with all care; so you will have life. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/v/vigilance.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/v/vigil.htm"><span class="l">Vigil (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/v/vigil.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/v/vigilant.htm"><span class="l">Vigilant (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/v/vigilant.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/watch.htm"><span class="l">Watch (203 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> forbearance of sleep; vigil; wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention;<br> close observation; guard; preservative or preventive <b>vigilance</b>; formerly, a <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/watch.htm - 40k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/mordecai.htm"><span class="l">Mordecai (52 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> While holding this office, he discovered a plot of the eunuchs to put<br> the king to death, which, by his <b>vigilance</b>, was defeated. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/mordecai.htm - 28k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/alarmed.htm"><span class="l">Alarmed (28 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> & pp) of Alarm. 2. (a.) Aroused to <b>vigilance</b>; excited by fear of approaching danger;<br> agitated; disturbed; as, an alarmed neighborhood; an alarmed modesty. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/alarmed.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/alert.htm"><span class="l">Alert (19 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Watchful; vigilant; active in <b>vigilance</b>.<br> 2. (a.) Brisk; nimble; moving with celerity. 3. (n.) An <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/alert.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/alarm.htm"><span class="l">Alarm (26 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 6. (vt) To call to arms for defense; to give notice to (any one) of approaching<br> danger; to rouse to <b>vigilance</b> and action; to put on the alert. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/alarm.htm - 16k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/awake.htm"><span class="l">Awake (83 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 4. (a.) Not sleeping or lethargic; roused from sleep; in a state of <b>vigilance</b><br> or action. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AWAKE. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/awake.htm - 33k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/premillennial.htm"><span class="l">Premillennial</span></a><br><b>...</b> craftiness of Satan. No after-<b>vigilance</b> or earnestness on the part of the<br> servants could repair the fatal damage. They were forbidden <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/premillennial.htm - 23k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-envy-jealousy.html">What is the difference between envy and jealousy, biblically speaking? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-battle.html">Do we need to be aware of the spiritual battle that is taking place around us? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fall-affect-humanity.html">How did the Fall affect humanity? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/vigilance.htm">Vigilance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Vigilance (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a></span><br />And keep watch over your heart with all care; so you will have life. <br /><span class="source">(See RSV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/v/vigilance.htm">Vigilance</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/v/vigilance--king_of_jericho.htm">Vigilance: King of Jericho</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/vigil.htm">Vigil (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/vigilant.htm">Vigilant (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/watch.htm">Watch (203 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mordecai.htm">Mordecai (52 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/alarmed.htm">Alarmed (28 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/alert.htm">Alert (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/alarm.htm">Alarm (26 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/awake.htm">Awake (83 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/premillennial.htm">Premillennial</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/millennium.htm">Millennium</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses (9295 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/view.htm">View (86 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/v/vigil.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Vigil"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Vigil" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/v/vigilance_against_complacency.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Vigilance Against Complacency"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Vigilance Against Complacency" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>