7 Bewares

~ Dangers for the Christian ~

Beware You Do Not Forget Your Lord  ~  “Beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage”(Deuteronomy 6:12). While this verse is directed toward the Israelites it’s principle and message is for us today—do not forget the past blessings which God has given you.  

Beware of Not Applying the Word of God  ~  “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today” (Deuteronomy 8:11). “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).  The principle is clear—intellectual assent to the Word of God is not enough, we must put the Word into our hearts and our actions.

Beware of Worldly Pleasures  ~   “Beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink” (Judges 13:4a).  Again, it is the principle we are concerned about. Here the symbol of earthly pleasure is used. We need to remember we are pilgrims on earth—not tourists.

Beware of Self-Righteousness  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees’” (Matthew 16:6). The broad principle is related to the deceitfulness of self-righteousness. The only true righteousness any of us can possess is the righteousness of Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Beware of Covetousness  ~  Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). In modern advanced countries covetousness and envy are rampant and hard to avoid—but we have a direct command to avoid such sin.

Beware of Wicked People  ~  “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers…” (Philippians 3:2).  A warning to stay away from wickedness in all its forms. 

Beware of Human Wisdom  ~  “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8). Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Later Christ also said, “Beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues” (Matthew 10:17). The basic principle is to be alert to our surroundings.  

“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:6-11).

Beware of Twisting the Word of God  ~  “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:14-18). The best way to recognize false teachings is to know the truth of the Word of God. Study the Word of God for yourself asking the Spirit of God to teach you.   

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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