The word "beware" as used in the scriptures is translated from at least three different words.
However, the meanings connected with all of them are generally the same. To beware is to give
warning. One should turn one's attention to something in order to guard against it or to avoid it.
Tonight, let's turn our attention to some things in the Bible that God has warned against.
We are to BEWARE of.....
I. CERTAIN ATTITUDES
A. Covetousness (Greed, Envy for things of others) - Luke 12:15 (some translations "all covetousness")
1. God views it as the sin of idolatry. - Colossians 3:5
2. This sinful attitude can lead to all sorts of other sins. - I Timothy 6:6-10, Exodus 20:17 (coveting involves desire - James 1:12-15)
a. Stealing - Joshua 7:20-21
b. Murder - Proverbs 1:18-19
c. Betrayal - Matthew 26:14-16
d. Deceit - 2 Peter 2:3
B. Hypocrisy - Luke 12:1
1. It is "saying and not doing" - Matthew 23:1-4
2. It prevents oneself and others from entering heaven - Matthew 23:13-15
C. Lack of love for brethren - Galatians 5:14-15
1. Consuming one another - Galatians 5:15
2. Being a stumbling block - 1 Corinthians 8:9
3. Wicked thoughts against a brother - Deuteronomy 15:9
II. CERTAIN PEOPLE
A. False prophets - Matthew 7:15
1. They are like ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing.- Acts 20:28-31
2. You will know them by their fruits. - Matthew 7:16-20
3. They will come from within the church and lead many astray. - 2 Peter 2:1-3
B. "Righteous" people who desire authority & power - Mark 12:38-40, 3 John 9
1. Some profess to follow God to appear that they are better than others. - Matthew 23:5-12
2. Some think of or use godliness as a means of gain. - 1 Timothy 6:5
C. Men who may persecute Christians - Matthew 10:17, Acts 5:40
D. Dogs and evil workers - Philippians 3:2
1. According to Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary the term "dogs" in Revelation 22:15 and Philippians 3:2 refers to people who are morally impure.
2. Evil workers are those who do wicked, bad or harmful things. - 2 Timothy 4:14
III. CERTAIN DOCTRINES
A. Leaven or yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees - Matthew 16:6,11,12, Galatians 5:9
1. They taught doctrines and traditions of men above God's commandments - Mark 7:3-13
2. They sought after signs. - Matthew 16:1-4
B. Philosophy and empty deceit - Colossians 2:8
1. Men's teachings by trickery - Ephesians 4:11-16
2. Basic principles of the world - Colossians 2:18-23
C. Mutilation (Circumcision) - Philippians 3:2
1. They were binding the old law on Christians. - Acts 15:1
2. In Christ, physical signs are not important but rather a faith working through love - Galatians
5:6, Romans 2:28-29
IV. CERTAIN DANGERS (to our soul's salvation)
A. Forgetting the Lord - Deuteronomy 6:12, 8:11
B. Falling from your own steadfastness - 2 Peter 3:17
C. Being cheated ( out of salvation) - Colossians 2:8,18 (plunder you or take you captive)
D. Departing from the living God - Hebrews 3:12
1. This results from a hardened heart of unbelief. - Hebrews 3:12-15, Matthew 15:16-20, James 4:6-10
2. The Israelites could not enter the promised land due to unbelief. - Heb. 3:19
V. CERTAIN JUDGEMENT
A. The prophets spoke of - Acts 13:40-41
B. Watch and be utterly astounded - Habakkuk 1:5-6
C. Against those who reject God's warnings - 2 Chronicles 36:15-17
D. The prophets told of certain judgment and were persecuted for it. - Matthew 5:11-12
When God says BEWARE, we need to be on guard. ( 1 Peter 5:8-9) Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Have you obeyed God tonight? Are you ready if He should come tonight? ( 2 Peter 3:9-14) Have you repented and been baptized for the remission of your sins? (Acts 2:40-42) God has warned us and He wants us to be saved. The question is, will we heed the warning? We hope to see you next time on "Speaking the Truth in Love".