Luke 21 says: “Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth” (v. 34-35 CSB). We are being warned to be on guard so we do not get a dull mind. How can our minds become dulled? The passage here is talking about people who are focused on temporary pleasures and temporary things. Overindulgence and a temporal focus results in a dull mind. Pride, pleasures, possessions — these things result in a dull mind if we are not mindful.
The Bible tells us often that we need to be on guard. We need to be watchful, cautious about the steps we take and watchful for the return of Jesus. This chapter focuses a lot about the return of Jesus. We read of the destruction of Jerusalem and the return of Jesus. We are told of a fig tree and of the kingdom of God being near. We are reminded that heaven and earth will pass away but God’s Word never passes away. Then we come to this warning to watch ourselves, to be careful so that our hearts are not weighed down…to watch out for this dull mind.
So what can we do about it? We need to stay vigilant. We need to be on watch, guarding our focus. Remember, the people we read about in this passage are proud people focused on pleasures and possessions. These people overindulge, eating and drinking all that is before them. These people hoard up possessions, grab all that they can for the here and now. In doing so, they miss out on the warning. Watch out. Pray. Keep yourself away from the worries of life and all this overindulgence. The kingdom of God is near. Be ready for Jesus. Focus on Jesus and what He has for you today, tomorrow, and always!
Tania Gutekunst 