Five Wise, Five Foolish: Spiritual Readiness

We often define wisdom by intellect and label foolishness by outward behaviour. But in God’s eyes, wisdom and folly are measured differently—by the spiritual readiness reflected in our actions. Nowhere is this contrast more vividly portrayed than in the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

[Matthew 25:1-2 NIV] 1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

Why is the Kingdom of Heaven associated with Virgins?

1. Purity of the Kingdom: The Kingdom of Heaven is pure, and our relationship with Jesus is meant to be like a virgin eagerly awaiting her bridegroom—holy and set apart.

2. Jewish Cultural Context: In Jewish tradition, virgins (unmarried young women) often served as bridesmaids or attendants during wedding ceremonies. Jesus used this cultural imagery to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven.

What Does “Meeting the Bridegroom” Signify?

• A wedding in biblical times had two distinct stages:

  1. The bridegroom and his friends would travel to the bride’s home to claim her from her parents.

  2. The bride and groom would then return to the groom’s house for the marriage feast, we read that in Revelation 19:9

• In this context, the bridegroom has already claimed his bride and is now on his way back home.

• However, we should be cautious not to overemphasize the church as the bride in this particular parable, as the fuller understanding of the church’s role as the bride of Christ wasn’t fully revealed until Paul’s ministry (Ephesians 5:22-32).

What Does the Lamp Represent?

• Deeds and Actions: The lamps carried by the virgins represent their deeds and actions. These weren’t ordinary lamps—they may have been special ones.

• Symbol of Spiritual Life: The lamp symbolizes our outward spiritual life—what others see in us: attending church, serving others, speaking about God. It reflects our readiness and commitment to live out our faith.

Foolish Five

[Matthew 25:3 NIV] 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

What Does Oil Represent ?

What set the wise apart from the foolish was what they carried. The foolish failed to bring oil—so what does this oil truly represent?

Oil is often recognized as a symbol of the Spirit of God.

• Consider David’s anointing: When the anointed oil was applied, the spirit of the Lord came on David and he was engulfed and lead by the spirit

  [1 Samuel 16:13 NIV] 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

• When the anointing oil was poured on David, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him and began to lead him. This demonstrates the connection between anointing and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.

Anointed by the Spirit at Salvation

When we are born again—especially through baptism and the infilling of the Holy Spirit—we receive this same anointed oil of the Spirit. This anointing empowers us with a divine mission to do the actions that’s represented in Isaiah 61.

[Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV] 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Many believers fail to recognize this Spirit-anointing within them, which empowers us for eight key spiritual missions, which generate the Oil jars in each of us.

1. Proclaim good news to the poor – Isaiah 61:1a

2. Bind up the broken hearted – Isaiah 61:1b

3. Proclaim freedom for the captives – Isaiah 61:1c

4. Release prisoners from darkness – Isaiah 61:1d

5. Comfort those who mourn – Isaiah 61:2

6. Provide peace and restoration – Isaiah 61:3a (“a crown of beauty instead of ashes”)

7. Give the oil of joy – Isaiah 61:3b

8. Clothe with garments of praise – Isaiah 61:3c (“instead of a spirit of despair”)

The anointing we receive is the same Spirit that empowered Jesus during His earthly ministry: [Acts 10:38 NIV] 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

The same Spirit that was given to Jesus has been promised to us as well. As His servants and disciples, we are empowered by that very Spirit to live and act according to His will. [Romans 8:11 NIV] 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Why are they Called Foolish ?

1. They did not carry the oil — a picture of those who are outwardly religious but lack true godliness in the eyes of Christ. To be godly means to grow daily in Him, to walk in step with Christ, and to let the inner soul be aligned with the will of the Father. In contrast, the religious—like the Pharisees and Sadducees—focus more on external rituals and appearances, neglecting the inward transformation that God truly desires.

2. External Actions don’t produce Oil – Religious habits—like attending church or performing rituals—may look good outwardly, but they don’t produce the oil God values. Without a living relationship with Him, we fall short of His calling.

3. They had faith, but with no deeds - it’s almost like a dead man - James explains it well. [James 2:17, 26 NIV] 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ... 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

4. No Spiritual Fruit – Jesus is the vine; we are the branches. Without staying connected to Him, we cannot bear fruit—represented here as oil. True fruit comes from abiding in Him and depending on His Spirit. [John 15:4-5 NIV] 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

5. No Spirit of Obedience – Hearing God’s Word without putting it into practice is another mark of foolishness. Many of us hear sermon after sermon but never obey. Jesus compared such people to a man building a house without a foundation. [Luke 6:47, 49 NIV] 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ... 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Wise Five

[Matthew 25:4 NIV] 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

1. Lamp’s Powered by God’s Spirit - These women didn’t carry ordinary lamps like candles. Symbolically, they carried “solar lamps”—lives powered by the Holy Spirit. Their light came not from human effort but from divine fuel.

2. Jars of Oil — Not Just One, But Many - They brought jars of oil—plural—symbolizing a life full of spiritual fruit and godly works. This oil wasn’t just for display; it was the evidence of a life rooted in God and producing the fruit He desires. What are the fruits of Spirit? 9 qualities  [Galatians 5:22-23 NIV] 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

3. God Desires much Fruits - When you have these fruits, you are filled with God’s righteousness that nullifies the self-righteous things you have. God desires us to have many fruits [John 15:5 NIV] 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

4. Many Jars, Many Gifts - God desires to have many jars of oil in us, but not based on what we like, based on what he wants to use, once we have the Holy Spirit anointing he blesses us with these works of the Spirit as described in 1 Corinthians 12:8–10:

   1. Word of Wisdom - Supernatural insight into God’s plan or truth.

   2. Word of Knowledge- Divine knowledge about a person or situation not learned naturally.

   3. Faith – An extraordinary confidence in God’s power or promise.

   4. Gifts of Healing – Power to heal sickness by the Spirit.

   5. Working of Miracles – Supernatural acts beyond natural explanation.

   6. Prophecy – Speaking forth messages from God, often for edification and warning.

   7. Distinguishing (Discerning) of Spirits – Ability to identify the presence or source of spiritual influence (God, human, or demonic).

   8. Speaking in Different Kinds of Tongues – Speaking in a language unknown to the speaker.

   9. Interpretation of Tongues – Supernaturally understanding and communicating the meaning of what was spoken in tongues.

5. A Life Led by God’s Word and Spirit - God’s desire is to bless us more with his spiritual blessing to be a vessel for his works because you are led by word to your feet and light to the path of his works  [Psalm 119:105 NIV] 105 Nun Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Warning for the Wise and Foolish

[Matthew 25:5 NIV] 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

1. The Delay Has Made Many Drowsy - We often hear the phrase, “The Lord is coming soon.” It was said in Noah’s time, in Jesus’ day, our grandparents heard it—and so do we. Yet, because life goes on as usual, many no longer take it seriously.

2. A Church Asleep - The church has known for 2,000 years that Jesus is coming again, and yet many believers have become lethargic and drowsy. They are no longer excited about the second coming of the Lord. As a result, there is little effective witness given that the Lord is returning.

3. Jesus Already Warned Us of These Days - Jesus clearly described the signs of the end—deception, wars, natural disasters, persecution, betrayal, and growing wickedness. He warned us that many would fall away, love would grow cold, and false prophets would mislead. But He also promised (Verse 13) one who stands firm will be saved -  Matthew 24:3-14 (NIV) 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

4. Many Are Asleep — Just as Jesus told us - The Church today mirrors the parable in Matthew 25:5—drowsy, unaware, and unprepared. Why? Because the delay has lulled many into complacency. But Jesus gave us a clear instruction: [Matthew 26:41 NIV] 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

5. The Signs Are Already Here - Look around—wars, sickness, rising sin, moral decay. The signs of His return are not future warnings; they’re current realities. What more confirmation do we need?

6. We Are the Called Ones – As believers we carry the same Spirit that anointed Jesus—to proclaim good news, set the captives free, and comfort the broken.

   We are not to be a bystander. We are Christ’s servant, called to reach the lost and pray for revival as described in in Isaiah 61:1-3

7. Don’t Wait to Prepare - The parable warns us: there won’t be time to go out and “buy oil” when the Bridegroom arrives. We must carry both the lamp (faith) and the oil (spiritual readiness) now—before it’s too late.

Summary: Examine Your Spiritual Walk with Christ

 

Take a moment to honestly assess your relationship with Jesus. These questions will help you reflect deeply on the kind of spiritual life you’re living:

1. Are You Living a Religious Life or a Godly Life?

Are you simply attending church and going through the motions, or are you truly living a life surrendered to Christ—seeking to please Him and fulfil His will rather than your own?

2. Is Your Life Led by the Holy Spirit?

When you’re in crisis, who do you lean on? Are you guided by God’s Spirit, or do you rely on your own strength? A Spirit-led life walks in daily dependence on God’s presence and direction.

3. What Kind of Oil Are You Carrying?

Consider the spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 and the mission outlined in Isaiah 61:1–3.

Compare these with your own life:

• What gifts has God given you?

• What assignments have you begun or completed?

• Are you bearing spiritual fruit and doing the works He’s called you to?

4. Are You Growing, or Still a Spiritual Infant?

Do you have a walk to mature in Christ by knowing him deep and wide ? how is your walk with Christ now vs one year back ? is it matured or still depend on someone else ?

Do you have spiritual experiences that reflect growth, or are you still in the early stages of faith with little movement toward serving or leading in His kingdom?

5. Are You Spiritually Awake or Asleep?

Ask yourself:

• How much time do you spend in prayer each day?

• Do you regularly spend at least one focused hour in God’s presence?

Remember Jesus’ warning: [Matthew 26:41 NIV] 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." 

Prayer is where we receive the grace to stay awake and strong in our walk with Him. Are you awake, filled with oil, and ready for the Bridegroom’s return?

This is the time to evaluate, align, and rekindle your spiritual life—so that when He comes, you will not be found empty or unprepared.