I’m trying to group God’s commands into categories. This first set of grouping is all the things God doesn’t want us to do and things we are to stay away from for our own good. Commands with words like “do not”, “avoid”, “beware” and “abstain from”. It’s much easier for me to mentally absorb like commands than those that skip all over the place.
6. Avoid foolish questions.
Titus 3:9 – But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
The Bible is the last word and should be taken literally unless the context is obviously allegorical. If the Scripture makes plain sense seek no other sense. Scripture says God’s truth is foolishness to the unbeliever and if the Holy Spirit has not convicted them of their sin you’re wasting your time. Don’t argue. Move on to greener pastures.
7. Avoid arguments about the law. See Scripture and notes above.
8. Beware of false prophets.
Matthew 7:15 – Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Philippians 3:2 – Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of mutilation!
There have always been false Christs and false prophets and they will proliferate in the end times. The only way to protect yourself is to study God’s Word so you can know them when they come to you with false information. When you see the word beware always remember you can’t know to beware of something you don’t know.
9. Beware of (evil) men.
Matthew 10:17 – But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.
This command is similar to avoiding troublemakers and the appearance of evil. You can beware of evil men by knowing the fruit they produce and that comes with experience, knowledge of God’s Word and prayer. When I see the word beware I think “know”. If you don’t know how to identify evil men you won’t know who to beware of.
10. Beware of covetousness.
Luke 12:15 – And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
Besides being one of the original ten commandments, we know in our hearts this is true because God made us to be moral beings. There is that word “know” again which simply means study God’s Word in this context. God reminds us often in Scripture not to covet and to be satisfied with what we have.
11. Beware of backsliding.
2 Peter 3:17 – You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away by the error of the wicked.
Peter wrote this epistle to warn believers to about false teachers and false doctrine and he urged the saints to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ which I translate as studying God’s Word. In the two verses just before the one I reference above Peter is telling believers to keep reading the gospels and the writings of Paul so as not to fall victim to false teachings. You won’t backslide if you read God’s Word and pray daily.
Witnessing for Christ