In the late 1960′s, before I was born mind you, there was a popular television series called, “Lost in Space.” It focused on a family, the Robinsons, and was actually an adaptation of the novel Swiss Family Robinson! The plot revolved around the astronaut family setting out to populate Alpha Centauri from an overpopulated Earth. The family was accompanied by a fiendish doctor (Dr. Zachary Smith), and a robot. Well, even if you’re not familiar with the history of the television show or the 1998 movie that was released to revive the show’s impact on the American culture, you probably have heard the most famous line of dialogue from the series at some point in your life. Whenever the youngest member of the Robinson family was jeopardized or faced any kind of harm, the dutiful robot would go into mild hysterics and exclaim, “Danger Will Robinson, danger!” This was the robot’s way of protecting the young boy and alerting him to threats that he may not even have been aware of.
Sometimes, okay, lots of times, if we’re being honest, we find ourselves “lost in space” on a spiritual level. While navigating the curves and caverns of our lives, we sometimes are totally unaware of the imminent risk we’re at. We are plodding along, mindlessly going about the routine of our days, aloof, not really paying attention to the warning signs and cautions that we’re in danger! Perhaps we’re completely encircled by pride or a sense of superiority, and have no inkling of how ensnared we are. Our judgmental, “holier than thou” demeanor goes completely unnoticed by us, but certainly not by others! Maybe we’re mired in gossip or criticism or negativism and don’t realize just how much it has affected our lives and the lives of those around us. Maybe we’re caught in an addiction, a recurring sin that we know is wrong, but we blindly deny just how imprisoned we are and how the ravages of this sickness are destroying our connection with God and the lives of those around us. Maybe we’re teetering on the brink of an affair or an ungodly relationship, and while we know it is absolutely contrary to God’s standard of behavior for His children, we turn a deaf ear to Truth in deference to the pursuit of our fleeting, momentary happiness. Maybe we’re not setting good examples to our children in our speech or our conduct? Maybe we’re failing as a parent and are in complete denial, despite all the signs we see in front of our face. Perhaps we’re trying to fill the emptiness and the void in our souls, a hole that only God can fill, with materialism or food or pleasure or a million other things! To all of these and more pitfalls that we are prone to in this life, I would yell, “Danger, Will Robinson, danger!”
Hebrews 3:13Hebrews 3:13
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
13 You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called “today.” If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn.
WP-Bible plugin says, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” We are mandated here to warn each other, to “encourage” one another, promptly, now, Today, so that we don’t become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness! There is a high possibility that some of us may have already become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness for lack of warning. It is our job, our responsibility as a family of believers, to come alongside one another and exhort each other to “Look out!”
I have been on the giving and receiving end of warnings numerous times in my life. My spouse is very good at pointing out potential danger in my life and I am very grateful for their loving admonishment to “Be careful.” I also offer that caution readily in return to them when I see shadowy assailants lurking in the corners of their life. We all need that! And we all need to remember that when people do come to us and warn us, that it is an act of love on their part! They are warning us because they care about us and what could potentially happen to us if we continue on our current path, ignoring the danger.
I remember warning a man once that I saw huge dangers in his life that he was at risk of having an affair. He was a fellow brother in Christ and for the sake of he and his family, I felt compelled to encourage him away from these risks. He assured me I was wrong. Time revealed that I wasn’t wrong. I wish things had turned out differently for everyone involved in the aftermath of that situation. If he had listened to the cry of “Danger!” and taken appropriate measures to guard his heart, the trajectory of numerous lives caught in the wake of his actions would have been protected as well.
Accountability is vital in the lives of believers. We must recognize the importance of submitting ourselves to such relationships. We must willingly place ourselves in circles where we will be able to give and receive accountability for our actions, thoughts, motives, and desires. Proverbs 27:17Proverbs 27:17
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
17 Just as iron sharpens iron,
friends sharpen the minds
of each other.
WP-Bible plugin tells us that “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (That applies to women as well) I Corinthians chapter 12 suggests the importance of strong accountability between believers. Galatians 6:1-2Galatians 6:1-2
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
Help Each Other
6
1 My friends, you are spiritual. So if someone is trapped in sin, you should gently lead that person back to the right path. But watch out, and don't be tempted yourself.
2 You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand.
WP-Bible plugin further underscores this responsibility and necessity. Other verses you may want to read on the matter include Hebrews 10:24Hebrews 10:24
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
24 We should keep on encouraging each other to be thoughtful and to do helpful things.
WP-Bible plugin and I Thessalonians 5:11.
Are there danger signs in your life right now? Is there something that you’re ignoring that the Holy Spirit is warning you of, either directly through His still, small voice or through the voice of one of His children? Is there someone you know whom you need to speak with about the dangers you see in their life? If so, don’t delay. Remember, the verse told us that we are to encourage one another as long as it is called Today!
0 Comments.