Things of Which to Beware

Introduction

The Bible is filled with warnings. In fact, it is estimated there are over 2,500 warnings given by God.

With every conditional blessing, there is always the accompanying warning—lest we fail to receive it.

These warnings are presented in various ways and terms:

Sometimes simply as a statement of consequences (Genesis 3).

Sometimes by holding up the tragic end of those who disobeyed.

Sometimes through certain words that serve as a warning signal—a red light or red flag.

Illustration: We all understand the importance of heeding danger signs on the highway. “Bridge Out.” “Steep Grade.” “Sharp Curve.” “Railroad Crossing.” If we ignore such warnings and suffer harm, the tragedy is our own fault.

Likewise, when God warns us, it is out of His love. His warnings are a sign of His care for our souls.

Our study today focuses on the simple but powerful warning expressed by the word “Beware.”

Webster defines it: “To be on one’s guard, to take care, to be watchful, involving being prepared against certain danger.”

To “beware” is to take a defensive position—to be “anti-” toward that which would destroy us.

Just as a sign might say, “Beware of Dog,” so the Lord warns us to beware of spiritual dangers.

Main Point 1: Beware Lest You Forget the Lord (Deut. 6:12; 8:11)

Forgetfulness is a common weakness.Examples of Forgetfulness:

The Israelites often forgot the multitude of blessings God gave them (Psalm 106:7).

They rebelled in the wilderness despite God’s care.

Joseph’s brothers did not realize that God meant their evil for good.

Jacob and his family were brought into Egypt to preserve them.

Many wondrous works were done in Egypt:

During the plagues, God showed kindness to His people.

Yet, in time, the result of their forgetfulness was captivity—first to the Assyrians, then to the Babylonians.

Truly, it pays to remember!

The chief butler forgot Joseph (Gen. 40:23).

The disciples forgot the bread (Mark 8:16–17).

Christians can forget that they have been purged from old sins (2 Pet. 1:9–15).

Some things we ought to forget:

Paul wrote, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Phil. 3:13).

Some things we must never forget:

In times of prosperity, men often forget God.

Israel’s history proves this truth.

In times of plenty, people tend to drift away.

In times of poverty, people are more inclined to lean upon Jehovah.

But the consequences of forgetting are severe:

“The wicked shall be turned into hell” (Psalm 9:17).

Job 8:10–13 shows the emptiness of those who forget God.

To forget God is to fail to keep His commandments (Deut. 8:11–20).

The purpose of remembering His commandments is to do them.

We are to follow all of them without distinction.

Which command of God am I allowed to forget? None.

Christians must not forget that we have been purged from our old sins (2 Pet. 1:9).

Failing to grow spiritually shows we may have forgotten our cleansing.

Returning to the world proves we have forgotten God’s grace.

Main Point 2: Beware of False Prophets (Teachers)

Why we must beware: False teachers are subtle and sly.

Jesus warned they are “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matt. 7:15).

Wolves disguised as sheep are deceptive and dangerous.

Satan’s ministers transform themselves into “ministers of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:13–15).

They appear pious.

They pretend to respect divine things.

They use good words and fair speech.

They appeal to sympathies, emotions, and prejudices.

In the past, infidelity boldly flew its own flag, but now it hides under the guise of religion.

What we must do concerning false teachers:

Test the teaching, or the spirit:

Revelation 2:2.

Acts 17:11.

1 Thessalonians 5:21.

1 Peter 3:15—be ready to answer.

Reject heretics (Titus 3:10).

Mark false teachers (Romans 16:17).

Have no fellowship with them but rather reprove them (Eph. 5:11).

This includes false teachers within the church:

This is the greatest danger—the “5th column” from within.

This includes:

Premillennialists.

Social gospel advocates.

Institutionalism in the church.

We must beware of their tactics:

Misrepresentation.

Prejudicial appeals.

Emotionalism.

Main Point 3: Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt. 16:6–11)

Definition: Leaven is a symbol of penetrating, pervasive influence.

The doctrines of the Pharisees and Sadducees were like leaven—secretly instilled until they spread throughout.

Error, like leaven, may appear small and unimportant at first.

But, given time, it spreads until it consumes the whole.

They said, but did not do (Matt. 23:1–3).

Beware lest we be found only saying:

“We must live godly lives”—but do we?

“We must be faithful”—but are we?

“We must visit the sick and the lost”—but do we?

Theory without practice is useless.

Farming without labor yields no crop.

Law without enforcement brings no justice.

Likewise, teaching without practicing is hypocrisy.

Formality—another Pharisee influence.

They condemned all who did not abide by their forms and rituals.

But mere forms without the heart are void and useless.

We must beware of empty formality in:

Singing.

Prayer.

The Lord’s Supper.

The Sadducees represented the doubters and skeptics.

They rejected Jesus’ teaching because it did not fit their ideas.

Skepticism and doubt are still a leaven today:

Evolution is taught with a false air of scholarship.

God is undermined, the Bible ridiculed, and hell denied.

The great battles our children will face will be fought on the plain of Christian evidences.

Main Point 4: Beware Lest Anyone Cheat You Through Philosophy (Col. 2:8)

Man has always been prone to exalt his own wisdom above God’s.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isa. 55:9).

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Cor. 1:18ff).

Men are easily swayed by what appeals to human reasoning.

Human wisdom would say baptism has nothing to do with the remission of sins. Yet God commands it (Acts 2:38).

Human wisdom would say the church should have a centralized headquarters. Yet God established only local congregations under their elders.

Main Point 5: Beware Lest You Fall From Your Steadfastness (2 Pet. 3:17)

The first chapter tells us how to keep from falling.

Why would God tell us how to keep from falling if falling were impossible?

Jesus said some “believe for a while” but then fall away (Luke 8:13).

Psalm 106:12—They believed His words.

Psalm 106:21—Yet they soon forgot.

Peter says we must add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Pet. 1:5–7).

The second chapter describes the condition of the fallen.

Their last state is worse than the first (2 Pet. 2:20).

Like the sow who was washed but returns to the mire.

Like the dog who returns to his vomit.

The third chapter warns us against falling.

If you fall and are lost, it will be because:

You failed to add to your faith.

You did not heed God’s warnings.

You did not try with all diligence.

Conclusion

The word of God is filled with warnings. They are not meant to discourage us, but to protect us. God warns because He loves us. If we ignore His warnings, the consequences will be our own fault. If we heed them, they will safeguard our souls and lead us safely home.