Luke 13:5 · 2 Timothy 2:15 · Hebrews 6:4-6 · 1 John 2:28 · 1 Corinthians 10:12
Warnings and Disclaimers
Warnings in culture often seem absurd, but biblical warnings deserve serious attention. God's warnings guard us against spiritual complacency and the schemes of evil, calling us to remain vigilant in our faith.
Warnings and Disclaimers
Warnings and disclaimers are a part of our culture. Almost any product has some sort of warning on the package. McDonald’s coffee cups carry the warning “Warning: Contents hot.” Other products carry warnings or disclaimers that make little sense. A hairdryer instructs users not to use while sleeping. A bag of Fritos states “You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.” A bar of Dial bath soap gives directions to “Use like regular soap.” A dessert box warns “Do not turn upside down”—printed on the bottom of the box. An iron box warns “Do not iron clothes on body.” A child’s cough medicine box cautions “Do not drive a car or operate machinery.” A bottle of Nytol, a sleeping aid, warns “Warning: may cause drowsiness.” A Korean kitchen knife reads “Warning: Keep out of children.” A string of Chinese made Christmas lights specifies “For indoor or outdoor use only.” A Japanese food processor states “Not to be used for the other use.” A package of nuts warns “Warning: Contains nuts.” An American Airlines package of nuts simply instructs “Open package, eat nuts.” A Swedish chainsaw warns “Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands.” A package of Sunmaid Raisins asks “Why not try tossing over your favorite breakfast cereal?”
Some warnings can be funny.
Biblical Warnings
But the Bible contains warnings as well. Unlike warnings on packages, these are direct and worthy of our attention. Luke 13:5 declares: “Unless you repent, you too will perish.” Second Timothy 2:15 exhorts: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Hebrews 6:4-6 warns: “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” First John 2:28 instructs: “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”
Guarding Against Complacency
There are lots more warnings. God knew that deciding to live for him and following through with that decision would be difficult. The warnings remind us that we must be on our guard against the evil one. It is easy to slip into thinking that nothing could pull us away from Christ. Listen to this warning from 1 Corinthians 10:12: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
A Prayer for Strength
May God help us to stand firm not relying on our own strength but recognizing that the only strength we have comes from him.
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