Wake Up!

“Woke” is one of those words that has been politicized, butchered, demonized and used to promote hate and division.

The word has evolved into an emotionally charged buzzword by sinister wordsmiths that understand life and death is in the power of the tongue.

(Proverbs 18:21 NKJV)

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit”.

Over the years it has taken on many meanings. In the past the word simply meant “awareness” i.e. “I ain’t sleep on that” or “I’m hip to that”. In other words, I’m woke!

In 1975 Teddy Pendergrass sang “Wake Up Everybody” to bring social awareness to a Black community that was starting to slumber after the hard fought battles of the Civil Rights era.

Today the Oxford dictionary definition is:

“Alert to injustice in society, especially racism”.

More importantly than what the dictionary says, the real question is;“What is God saying”?

Since the Bible forms my world view it’s important that my thoughts line up with God’s thoughts.

As Christians we are to be “woke” to injustice:

(Psalms 89:14 NKJV)

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;

Mercy and truth go before Your face”.

As Christians we are to be “woke” to the fact we are God’s children:

(1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 NKJV)

“For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded”.

As Christians we are to be “woke” to the enemies tactics:

(1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”.

As Christians, we should be “woke” to the love of God for our family in Christ:

(1 John 2:11 NKJV)

“But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes”.

As Christians we should be “woke” to the light of the gospel:

(2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV)

“But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them”.

As Christians we should be “woke” to temptation in the world:

(Matthew 26:41 NKJV)

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Folks as Christians it’s important that our world views line up with Kingdom world views. It’s too many negative forces jockeying for position to gain control of the narratives we allow in our heads.

(Proverbs 4:23 NKJV)

“Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life”.

Real change and real answers to the problems of racism, injustice, other societal evils are found in God’s Word and in the peace He gives.

Lord help us become more “woke” to Your Word!