"Wisdom Cries Out"
Nothing Will Happen
"My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path." (Proverbs 1.15)
Warnings can be annoying and seem unnecessary. Sometimes we ignore warnings because our pride thinks we know better. We don't need to pay attention to the lower speed limit around a curve. We got this – Nothing will happen.
There may be no immediate consequence for ignoring the warnings, but this attitude cultivates a foolish way of life. Our choices always take us somewhere. Israel was told observing God's commands was for their good and for their survival (Deuteronomy 6.24).
Many think they are above some of the warnings of God. “I don't need those things,” or “that doesn’t apply to me” we say to ourselves. The weaker folks do, but I'm ok. This can even translate to I don't need to read my Bible daily. I don't need to attend every service. I'm ok.
God’s warnings are universal and intentional. We may not see the serious trouble that sin causes. We tend to minimize how bad things are. We arrogantly believe that sin will never overtake me, or that I can fix any trouble that I get in. So says the man addicted to pornography or the woman having an affair. They looked, they engaged, they made little concessions and told themselves it wasn’t a big deal when the warnings screamed “STOP!”
We need God to be honest, clear and straight with us. We need God to tell us to steer clear of certain situations and certain people. But more importantly we need to be humble enough to see the good these warnings bring to our lives. The world is dangerous, but the warnings of God bring clarity; and with obedience we find assurance, confidence and peace.
“…whoever listens to [wisdom] will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” (Proverbs 1.33)
