Sinning in Our Sleep

I was once sitting up late and was at the computer. I was looking at a website the listed used hardware products for sale (almost like an online garage sale). Each product had a listing where you could contact the seller about what he was selling. I happened to be very sleepy that night, and apparently, without realizing what I had done, I clicked the automatic contact button and asked if the product was still for sale. I guess it's good I did not click the "buy now" button; I was not even interested in that particular product!

How many mistakes do we make when we are sleepy? We are not thinking clearly about what we are doing and we end up making decisions that, if we thought about it, we would know is wrong. The same goes for us spiritually. We get spiritually sleepy, end up not paying attention to our thoughts and actions, and then we commit the worst mistakes.

This is how we commit the majority of our sins. We let our guard down, get drowsy regarding our behavior and then easily slip into temptation. This does not excuse us, because we did commit the sin and no one forced us to do so. It does, however, help us to realize that we must always be on guard. We can never say "this is a temptation free zone, so I can do whatever I want and I everything will be fine."

You do not have to be "online" to "buy" something you do not want. We easily do it every time we allow our own lusts to have the better of us. Yet, how does someone keep his spirit attentive so as not to fall into this compromised state? It can only happen through regular and consistent prayer. When we pray we are opening ourselves to God, and allowing His grace to come into us. When we pray, even if it is only a brief prayer of a few words (e.g. "Lord have mercy upon us"), then we are reminding ourselves that God is a reality in our lives.

Stay awake. Turn to the Lord regularly. Be sober-minded and trust that God is there with you, and He will help you to work out your salvation.