Warning!
I have been given multiple warnings before and I will sometimes heed them and at other times, I consider the source of the warning. When the warning came out about the COVID-19 virus, it had my attention. Those warnings have proven to be reliable and accurate. I’ve been warned by others who base the warnings on unreliable information. They lose credibility because they are always warning people about stuff. When the Lord gives a warning, I’ve learned that it is credible. Check this out….
6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”
19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord.22 The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”
Then Samuel said to the Israelites, “Everyone go back to your own town.” (1 Samuel 8:6-9,20-22 NLT)
The people didn’t listen, and the warnings did come true. Israel had some good kings, but they had some really bad ones as well.
When I’m told of someone’s bad behavior or their bad reputation, my “antennas” should go up to check the warnings. Too many false warnings make me resistant to listen to legitimate ones. I’m learning to vet the warnings. The Lord gives me warnings via His Spirit who dwells in my heart. I’m still learning to listen carefully to His warnings and His direction for me.
Pressing On!
Dwayne