Cade Courtley (former SEAL team leader, author and TV personality) wrote in his book, SEAL Survival Guide, “In military-speak, situational awareness is defined as the ability to identify, process and comprehend the critical elements of information about what is happening to the team with regard to a mission. More simply, it’s being aware of what is going on around you…These [the unaware] are the very people who most often get victimized or end up on the casualty list.” He then included some steps that we need to take if we are going to have a keen sense of situational awareness.
As I thought about those steps, I began to see a Biblical application in being spiritually aware. Here are some things that we need to consider in order to be spiritually aware of our surroundings.
1. Look at what others around you are doing. “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Heb. 13:7).
2. Look for things that seem out of place. “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Heb. 5:13-14).
3. Determine where you’d go if you had to seek immediate help. “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24).
4. Find the way of escape. “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
5. Determine whether you are someone others could follow. “Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us” (Tit. 2:6-8).
This is a simplified way of thinking about how to deal with temptations and struggles and how to help others. We need to be reminded of the battle and the enemy that we are fighting against. Our enemy is very aware of us. “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). Please be aware, keep your head up and ready. If you are not prepared, you will become the next victim.