https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Beware.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\tby Jeffrey W. Hamilton<\/p>\n\t
Text: II Peter 2:1-3<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nI. As the children were growing up, I felt that I was constantly reminding them to watch\nwhere they were going.\n A. They just assumed that most things around them were safe and rarely gave thought\nto the fact that it was people around them who were watching out for them.\n B. But the fact remains that dangers exist and we have to keep our eyes open to the\npossibilities. It is too easy to get lax or careless, especially when nothing\nparticularly bad has happened so far.\n C. As Christians we have to remain vigilant against the dangers in this world – I Peter\n5:8-9\n
D. There are three Greek words commonly translated as “beware.”<\/p>\n 1. Prosecho<\/i>: Literally, to hold in your mind. That is, pay attention to, be\ncautious about, or be on your guard against.\n 2. Blepo<\/i>: Literally, to look at. That is, to regard, to keep watch, to be aware\nof, keep your eye on.\n
3. Phulasso<\/i>: to be on guard as in the sense of a watchman on duty.<\/p>\n
II. Things Christians should beware of<\/p>\n
A. Covetousness or Greed – Luke 12:15<\/p>\n 1. Possessions are nice, but there is never an upper bound when many people\ncan say there is nothing more they want.\n
2. It is easy for greed to creep in unnoticed<\/p>\n a. I had a young man write about his friend. His friend wanted to date\nthis girl, but she turned him down. Eventually he gave up, but the\nyoung man and she took interest in each other. Now the friend is\nsaying the young man doesn’t deserve her, that he is the better\nman.\n b. The problem is covetousness and envy. A feeling that I have to\npossess, I have to succeed before others, and that I’m the most\ndeserving.\n
3. It destroys the person – Proverbs 14:30<\/p>\n 4. Out of control, it becomes the most important thing in our life – Colossians\n3:5-6\n 5. We need to repeatedly remind ourselves of the proper perspective – I\nTimothy 6:7-11\n
B. Hypocrisy – Luke 12:1<\/p>\n 1. Hypocrisy is putting on an act or a show. It is pretending to be what you\nare not.\n
2. Doing good for the wrong reason – Matthew 6:1-2<\/p>\n
3. Appearing to be religious – Matthew 6:5<\/p>\n
4. Why should we be on the alert for this? It is an easy attitude to slip into.<\/p>\n a. We like to think that we are righteous, so even as we slip into\nunrighteousness, we judge ourselves as being fine – Proverbs 30:12\n b. We assume what we do is right, so we impose our standards on\nothers without ever going back to the source – Proverbs 14:12\n 5. We have to be on guard against that creep in our lives by always\nmeasuring ourselves by God’s standard – Isaiah 28:17; Romans 2:2\n
C. False Teachers – Matthew 7:15<\/p>\n
1. Here the danger is not from within but from without – II Peter 3:17-18<\/p>\n
2. Secretly bringing in false doctrine – II Peter 2:1-2<\/p>\n
3. The danger is accepting without checking – Colossians 2:8<\/p>\n
4. We can be overconfident, thinking we can’t be lead astray – Acts 20:28-31<\/p>\n 5. We don’t always give credence that some exist who purposely set out to\ndeceive – Ephesians 4:14\n
D. Evil Doers – Philippians 3:2<\/p>\n
1. Evil can creep in when we aren’t looking – Jude 4<\/p>\n
2. People who take advantage of the weaknesses of others – II Timothy 3:2-6<\/p>\n
III. “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance” – Thomas Jefferson<\/p>\n
A. We aren’t perfect, so we need to be watchful – Revelation 3:2-3<\/p>\n
B. We cannot slack off as others have done – I Thessalonians 5:6-9<\/p>\n
C. Watch, stand fast – I Corinthians 16:13<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Peter 2:1-3 I. As the children were growing up, I felt that I was constantly reminding them to watch where they were going. A. They just assumed that most things around them were safe and rarely gave thought to the fact that it was people around them who were watching…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[119,32],"tags":[548,478,549,418],"class_list":["post-36691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-audio","category-sermon","tag-coveting","tag-false-teachers","tag-greed","tag-hypocrites"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":32500,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/were-elders-limited-to-the-age-of-miracles-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":36691,"position":0},"title":"Were Elders Limited to the Age of Miracles? (Sermon)","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 24, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 20:17-35 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Some times I wonder where ideas about the Scriptures come from. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The passages are clear, but it seems that some want a certain outcome, so they seek whatever means they can find to arrive at that result. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I was asked if elders\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":30627,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-pray-for-the-sick\/","url_meta":{"origin":36691,"position":1},"title":"Why Pray for the Sick?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 22, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Acts 3:1-11 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We have talked about the purpose of miracles earlier \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Purpose \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To reveal the truth - John 16:13 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0To confirm the truth \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hebrews 2:3-4 - God shows his agreement with the speaker \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0b.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mark 16:20 - Confirmed the word spoken \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0c.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Acts 2:22\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":48658,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/faith-illustrated\/","url_meta":{"origin":36691,"position":2},"title":"Faith Illustrated","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 3, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The great stories of the Bible never grow old \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0We tend to idealize the characters and forget that these are ordinary people, like you and I \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0B.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0People whose faith was tested and many triumphed over sin \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0C.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0After discussing many people who illustrated faith, the writer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":61918,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/care-for-the-weak\/","url_meta":{"origin":36691,"position":3},"title":"Care for the Weak","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 12, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 12:9-21 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Even a casual reading of the Gospels brings up an noticeable and odd fact, Jesus would heal and then charge the people to tell no one. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Why? \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0First, Jesus did not need any advertisement. His presence was sufficient. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Second, Jesus did not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":16469,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-it-wrong-to-look-at-nudes-as-art\/","url_meta":{"origin":36691,"position":4},"title":"Is it wrong to look at nudes as art?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 21, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: There are people who chose to put their bodies on display as art. Is it wrong to appreciate the body in that way? It's not porn. It doesn't cause the body to lust. It's just people standing around naked. Answer: When Adam and Eve sinned by eating of the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":94807,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-sins-that-crucified-the-savior\/","url_meta":{"origin":36691,"position":5},"title":"The Sins that Crucified the Savior","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry Wane Benton The fact that the Bible says we can \"crucify afresh\" the Son of God (Hebrews 6:6) and \"put Him to an open shame\" is something that ought to weigh on our consciences. When we see how Jesus was mishandled and mistreated, it is easy to dismiss\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36691","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36691"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36691\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}