What the Bible Really Says About Being “Woke”

By Jody McKewen

I’ve been hearing a lot about the word “woke” lately—often used as a slur, a punchline, or a warning. In political circles and even some church settings, it’s become shorthand for “dangerous,” “divisive,” or “anti-Christian.” But the more I hear it tossed around with disdain, the more I feel the Spirit nudging me to ask: What does Scripture say about being awake?

Because here’s the truth: the Bible has always called us to be woke—just not in the way today’s culture wars define it.

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1. To Be Woke Is to Be Spiritually Awake

In Romans 13:11-12, Paul writes:

“The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber… The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.”

This isn’t a casual wake-up call. It’s a summons to live fully alive, fully aware of the urgency of love and the nearness of God’s Kingdom. Being spiritually “woke” means no longer sleepwalking through life, ignoring the suffering of others or the brokenness within ourselves. It means being ready—to forgive, to serve, to stand up for what is good.

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2. To Be Woke Is to See Clearly—and Respond

The prophet Isaiah doesn’t mince words in Isaiah 1:17:

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

This is not passive faith. This is sight that leads to action. Being “woke” in the biblical sense means we refuse to ignore injustice. We don’t turn away from the pain of the poor, the vulnerable, or the marginalized. Instead, we lean in—because that’s what God does.

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3. To Be Woke Is to Carry the Fire of the Prophets

Amos 5:24 famously declares:

“Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”

God’s people are not called to be comfortable. We’re called to be courageous—speaking truth to power, disrupting systems of oppression, and calling people back to mercy. The prophets weren’t popular. They were “too loud,” “too political,” “too radical.” Sound familiar?

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4. To Be Woke Is to Walk in Love

In 1 John 3:17-18, we read:

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity… how can the love of God be in that person? Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Love isn’t a sermon or a song. It’s a lifestyle. And the only love worth anything is love that does something. That shows up. That steps in. That pays attention.

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So What Does “Woke” Mean for Followers of Jesus?

It means living with open eyes, open hearts, and open hands.

It means we don’t fall asleep to injustice, ignore the cries of the suffering, or choose comfort over compassion.

It means we refuse to confuse “respectability” with righteousness.

And it means we never forget that Jesus himself was mocked, misunderstood, and maligned for standing with the poor, touching the unclean, breaking religious rules, and loving the wrong people.

So when I hear someone say “woke” like it’s an insult, I don’t get offended.

I get convicted.

Because yes—I want to be awake.

Awake to the Spirit’s movement.

Awake to my neighbor’s pain.

Awake to the work of building the Kingdom of God.

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Final Thought

If you’re being called “woke” because you care about justice, mercy, truth, or love—

because you see and cannot unsee the pain in this world—

because your heart breaks for what breaks God’s—

then friend, you’re in good company.

After all, we follow a Savior who woke the dead, and is still waking hearts today.

And I’ll stand with Him.

Every time.

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Let justice roll.

Let love rise.

And let the Church stay woke.

Amen.