Ezekiel 33:1-6 NIV [1] The word of the Lord came to me: [2] “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, [3] and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, [4] then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. [5] Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. [6] But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.
The priest and prophet Ezekiel, whose name means “strengthened by God.”, lived during the time of the fall of Jerusalem and was among those who were exiled to Babylon. Ezekiel is one of the more colorful—some would say bizarre—characters in the Bible because God intended Ezekiel to give a message to Israel by means of the experiences in his life. God told Ezekiel to warn Israel. He was God’s watchman.
When God called him to this role, He laid out very clear guidelines of what Ezekiel was to do and how he was to speak to God’s people. Christians are to be watchmen today.
As watchmen here are 10 things we are to warn others (and ourselves) that they should avoid.
NOTE: Just a quick note before the 10 warnings, be careful that you as a watchman don’t fall into the same trap that you are warning others to avoid.
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NIV[11] These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. [12] So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!1
10 Warnings
Editor’s Note: The 10 warnings come for a list compiled by Casey Hough senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Camden, Arkansas. The full text and some editing of the text was done by me
1. Never Be Lazy
While God justifies sinners by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, a saving faith is always an active faith. Laziness has no place in the Christian life
Romans 12:11 NIV Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
We must be mindful not to be lazy in our love for and service to Christ and others.
2. Avoid Sexual Temptation
If there was a road in your town that regularly caused people to drive off of a cliff, The road of sexual temptation should not be trifled with or walked down by anyone.
Proverbs 5:1-5 NIV.[1] My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, [2] that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. [3] For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; [4] but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. [5] Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
3. Repent of Your Sins
Not only should sexual temptation be avoided at all cost, but we should all repent of the sins that we have committed. While temptation is not necessarily a sin, once we have transgressed against God’s command, we have sinned and are in need of repentance. Repentance is the act of turning away from sin toward God for forgiveness and strength for righteous living. Jesus warns us that failure to repent will result in righteous judgment.
Mark 1:15 NIV “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Luke 13:2-5 NIV [2] Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? [3] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. [4] Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
4. End Unkind Speech
One of the easiest ways to sin against God is with unkind words.
1 Peter 2:1 NIV Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
We are warned that unkind speech, that is, speech that is destructive and not redemptive toward others, must cease among believers.
James 3:3-6 NIV [3] When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. [4] Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. [5] Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. [6] The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
5. Run from Youthful Lusts
Youthful lusts refer not only to sexual temptations but all desires that arise from immaturity. Such desires do not foster Christian maturity or reflect God’s will to others. When we do not flee youthful lusts, we are often caught up in them and held back from God’s perfect plan for our lives in Christ.
2 Timothy 2:22 NIV Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
The priest and prophet Ezekiel, whose name means “strengthened by God.”, lived during the time of the fall of Jerusalem and was among those who were exiled to Babylon. Ezekiel is one of the more colorful—some would say bizarre—characters in the Bible because God intended Ezekiel to give a message to Israel by means of the experiences in his life. God told Ezekiel to warn Israel. He was God’s watchman.
When God called him to this role, He laid out very clear guidelines of what Ezekiel was to do and how he was to speak to God’s people. Christians are to be watchmen today.
As watchmen here are 10 things we are to warn others (and ourselves) that they should avoid.
NOTE: Just a quick note before the 10 warnings, be careful that you as a watchman don’t fall into the same trap that you are warning others to avoid.
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NIV[11] These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. [12] So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!1
10 Warnings
Editor’s Note: The 10 warnings come for a list compiled by Casey Hough senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Camden, Arkansas. The full text and some editing of the text was done by me
1. Never Be Lazy
While God justifies sinners by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, a saving faith is always an active faith. Laziness has no place in the Christian life
Romans 12:11 NIV Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
We must be mindful not to be lazy in our love for and service to Christ and others.
2. Avoid Sexual Temptation
If there was a road in your town that regularly caused people to drive off of a cliff, The road of sexual temptation should not be trifled with or walked down by anyone.
Proverbs 5:1-5 NIV.[1] My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight, [2] that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. [3] For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; [4] but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. [5] Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
3. Repent of Your Sins
Not only should sexual temptation be avoided at all cost, but we should all repent of the sins that we have committed. While temptation is not necessarily a sin, once we have transgressed against God’s command, we have sinned and are in need of repentance. Repentance is the act of turning away from sin toward God for forgiveness and strength for righteous living. Jesus warns us that failure to repent will result in righteous judgment.
Mark 1:15 NIV “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Luke 13:2-5 NIV [2] Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? [3] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. [4] Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
4. End Unkind Speech
One of the easiest ways to sin against God is with unkind words.
1 Peter 2:1 NIV Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
We are warned that unkind speech, that is, speech that is destructive and not redemptive toward others, must cease among believers.
James 3:3-6 NIV [3] When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. [4] Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. [5] Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. [6] The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
5. Run from Youthful Lusts
Youthful lusts refer not only to sexual temptations but all desires that arise from immaturity. Such desires do not foster Christian maturity or reflect God’s will to others. When we do not flee youthful lusts, we are often caught up in them and held back from God’s perfect plan for our lives in Christ.
2 Timothy 2:22 NIV Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
6. Renounce Ungodliness
The renunciation of ungodliness is essentially what it looks like to live a life marked by repentance. Repentance is not a one-time event. Instead, repentance is a full renunciation of godless living. Christians must not drift back into the abyss of sin from which God has delivered them.
Romans 8:12-17 NIV [12] Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. [13] For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. [14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
7. Quit Stealing
Most people do not think of themselves as thieves. However, some people steal from others without even realizing it. When a person downloads software without paying for it, listens to music that was copied from a copyrighted source, or just does not work hard at their job, they are stealing from someone else.
Ephesians 4:28 NIV Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
When we work and don't steal, we reflect the dignity of work and show respect for the work of others.
8. Resist the Devil
James 4:7 NIV Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Some people may be reluctant to consciously resist the devil, but;
1 Peter 5:8 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
One of the worst things that a Christian can do is ignore the threat that the devil poses to them.
9. Fear the Lord
Yes, resist the devil but, at the same time, you not regard him too highly. The Christian’s highest allegiance must be to God and God alone.
Hebrews 12:28 NIV Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
10. Humble Yourself Before God
In keeping with the last warning, we conclude by reflecting upon our need to humble ourselves before God.
James 4:10 NIV Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Philippians 2:3 NIV Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
1 Peter 5:5-7 NIV [5] In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
We cannot and must not exalt ourselves.
If God desires such exaltation for us, it is up to him. Our responsibility it to be humble before our God.
1 Corinthians 10:11-12 NIV These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. [12] So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
We are to not only stand on guard, ready to sound the trumpet when evil comes, but we are also to seek God on behalf of the people we are watching over. This includes our loved ones, that means all our friends and our entire families.
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