Most of this chapter contains warnings from Paul.
- Warnings to not be defeated by temptation in the hard times.
- Warnings to not get caught up in wanting our own way.
- Warnings to not turn our religion into a circus.
- Warnings to not be sexually promiscuous.
- Warnings to not try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving him.
And here’s one of the biggest warnings: don’t stir up discontent. Discontent can destroy you.
These warnings are powerful. They were very much needed in Paul’s day. They are still very much needed in our day. Even as I listed those out, I kept thinking, “Man, he’s talking about the challenges of our day. I can go down this list and identify a big-name Christian leader who has fallen prey to every one of these.”
But let’s not be too quick to point the finger. As Paul warns,
“The same thing could happen to us.”
And with that, I’ll let you do your own self-examination before the Lord.
And we’ll close with a final warning:
“So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can.”
Omer Redden 