Be a Spiritual Lifeguard

Leaders in the Body of Christ are called, among other things, to be lifeguards. Watching is the key function of a prophet or intercessor. Rescuing is a priority for the evangelist. Guarding is elementary for the pastor. Warning is a main component of teaching. Vision is essential for the apostle. Believers in the Kingdom of God are expected to be on guard, or more specifically: to keep watch.
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My pastor runs a waterskiing ministry at the lake near his church in the summertime. On days when he is alone, the kids know that if he is out on the water training someone, no one swims until he gets back to the dock. 

I visited one day, offering to watch the children who stayed behind to swim while he took a handful of others out on his boat. Some of the kids were eager but inexperienced swimmers. He asked me only one question before he left: “Are you ready to dive in and save them if someone is in trouble?”

I was.

I thought nothing of this at the time, since I had grown up around the water and understand the risks involved. My pastor’s question didn’t stand out to me until I began writing today’s post. He didn’t realize it, but he had summed up the concept of spiritual lifeguarding in one sentence.
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We need spiritual lifeguards: people who are ready to lead, rescue, warn and save. Without them, we are at the mercy of dangers we have not foreseen. With them, we are safe. We must learn to keep watch!
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What Are We Watching For?

Most of us know that we watch, foremost, for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. While no one knows the day or hour, the Bible trains us to look for specific signs that alert us to His coming. (See Matthew 24.) Yet this is not the only thing we watch for!

Just like a lifeguard at the ocean, we are also watching for immediate dangers, both internal and external. It isn’t just the enemy who threatens us, as in shark-infested waters, but fellow believers who get in “over their heads,” so to speak.

Believers often overestimate their abilities to withstand temptation and may need warnings concerning the potential threats of sin. Like an inexperienced swimmer pulled under by the tides or waves, we need to notice the conditions of those around us, and be ready to save.
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This isn’t always easy. A spiritual drowning can be as sudden and silent as a natural one. Jesus says in Luke 21:34: “Be on guard…” (NASB.) Here are the types of things we are to watch for: 

​Old Testament Lifeguards

Gatekeepers: God understood our need for protection, and the Old Testament is full of examples of spiritual lifeguards. We read of the gatekeepers in the tabernacle who were part of the Levitical priesthood, and served in shifts for seven days, guarding the temple and its wealth. (See 1 Chronicles 9). This was considered a “trusted office” (1 Chron. 9:26), an official position of responsibility requiring training and maturity.

There were also gatekeepers at all of Israel’s camp entrances, and at the King’s gate. Nehemiah noted that there were 284 Levites and 172 gatekeepers in his time. Earlier, there were even more listed: 1 Chronicles 23:5 records that four thousand men were designated as gatekeepers, with another four thousand as worshipers. This is no insignificant job in the Kingdom of God!

Watchmen: 2 Samuel 18 describes a second kind of lifeguard: the watchmen. One Hebrew word for “watch” is shamar, which means to hedge about as with thorns, guard; protect; beware; attend to; take heed; be circumspect; preserve; save. (Strong’s Concordance definitions.)

These watchmen have a threefold purpose: to STAND (on a high place or tower), to SEE (the messengers or enemies approaching), and to SAY (reporting to gatekeepers or kings what they saw as they watched). Their function is comparable to the prophetic office today. (Revelatory people work in conjunction with pastors and apostles, who give practical application to God’s spiritual messages.) There are both human and angelic watchmen (see Daniel 4:13).

Ezekiel 33:1-12 is perhaps the clearest explanation of a watchman’s responsibility: to hear God’s words and warn His people. (See the full text for details.) Failure to do so resulted not just in deaths to the Israelites, but also to the prophet (or lifeguard) himself.

God puts it this way: “he who takes warning will save his life,” but when someone dies for lack of a warning, “his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.” He goes on to state further: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked… why should you die, O house of Israel?” (Exekiel 33:5-6;11, NKJV) God is in the business of saving lives, not losing them!

New Testament Lifeguards

Jesus is our best example of a New Testament lifeguard: He laid down His life for us so that we could pass from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God.

 1 John 3:16 reads: “By this we know love, because He (Jesus) laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” When Jesus Himself needed rescuing, God raised Him up and became His Son’s “lifesaver” at the resurrection! (Hebrews 13:20.) We’re on a team of lifeguards who can walk on water and raise the dead! Hallelujah!

The fivefold ministry functions of the church (found in Ephesians 4:11) also teach us how to operate as spiritual lifeguards. See where you fit in:

Apostles: these overseers watch the spiritual horizon for “big picture” opportunities and dangers in the Kingdom, things a local pastor might miss. They have exchanged a local, microscopic view of one church for a regional or international perspective on the greater Body of Christ. They’re recruiting the next generation of leaders and training them for lifeguard duty. They’re making sure that each new “lifeguard” understands the water, knows their own limitations, watches for common dangers, and blows the whistle when things get out of hand. They know when someone is ready to lay down his life for the perishing, and are well versed in every aspect of “lifesaving” known to the church. Scriptures: Acts 20:28, 2 Corinthians 12:12; Luke 9:1. For a biblical example, read this post. 

Prophets: Our modern-day “watchmen,” prophets (and often prayer warriors and intercessors) stand in the “high places” with God, listening and watching for incoming messages or approaching dangers to the church community. When they see, they speak. What they hear, they report. When God brings someone to their mind, they pray. They know that prayer and prophetic words are the life preservers God has given them to toss out to those who are drowning. For a powerful example of this type of prayer, click here. Scripture: 1 John 5:16

Evangelists: Those gifted as evangelists take to heart the scripture in Jude 1:22-23: “Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment…” (NLT). They understand that those not rescued from the fire today will spend eternity in the lake of fire (Rev.20:15). The “life preserver” they use is a ready presentation of the Gospel, personal enough not to sound scripted and simple enough that a child could respond. They don’t wait for someone to drown; they pray for divine appointments with those who can’t swim, before they reach the water! Scriptures: Jude 1:22-23; 2 Tim. 4:5; Colossians 1:13.

Pastors: Like shepherds, pastors are intimately attuned to the needs of their flocks. Relationship is their floatation device, extended to all who will respond. They watch for predators, such as those who would deceive church members. They are aware of the limitations of individual congregants, and can offer counsel when someone is in too deep or led astray. They are listening for the warnings of apostles and prophets around them, and help their churches prepare for what’s ahead. Like my pastor, they are lifeguards who aren’t just watching, but are also training their people to swim! Scriptures: Titus 1:7-9; 1 Peter 5:2-3; Hebrews 13:17.

Teachers: These are familiar enough with scripture to identify religious deceptions and spot a counterfeit a mile away. Doctrinally sound teachers use the Bible as their life jacket, and they long to clothe others in the same truths they have discovered themselves. They know that holding fast to the Word of truth is what saves you. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.)  Scriptures: 1 Timothy 4:16; 6:20; 2 Timothy 4; Titus 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:15.
 
If you are an "everyday believer" who is not yet functioning as a leader, you have, at the very least, a mandate to be on guard for yourself. (See Luke 21:34; 2 Tim. 2:4.) The best way to do this is to stay attentive to your Divine Lifeguard, Jesus, obeying His commands and listening to His warnings. If you do get in “over your head,” He will rescue you! (Psalm 91:15) 

Conclusion

On that warm summer day, I was ready to rescue any children at our church on the lake. I am also ready to rescue those who are struggling in their relationship with God.

I hope that spiritually, you are ready, too. Will you rescue the perishing? Will you watch, pray, teach, train, and warn the Body? Will you be a spiritual lifeguard?

I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what He will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint. –Habbakuk 2:1; HCSB

c. Deborah Perkins / His Inscriptions.com

Train to be a Spiritual Lifeguard! Click here.

Deborah Perkins is an Author and the Founder of His Inscriptions, a ministry focused on life-giving communication with God. Through her website, inspired teaching and a weekly blog, Deborah offers discipleship to those who want to grow their relationship with God. A ministry leader for over 25 years, Deborah is an experienced prophetic counselor, marriage mentor, and prayer warrior. When she's not enjoying the views from beach lifeguard chairs, she​ can be found hanging out with her husband and three boys. To purchase her newest Bible Study, click here.