Have you ever watched a child climbing on a fence, ladder, or some other high object and not said anything? I hope not. Unless a parent or grandparent is standing there, most of us would shout out a warning or help the child to safety. Even with family present, we might offer some assistance or at least encourage the family member to take some action.

Would you watch while a burglar broke into a car or store window without calling the police? Again, I hope not. Most of us would call the police, write down a description of the thief and a license number, or attempt to do something ourselves.

It’s interesting that when we do get involved in such situations, we often find that there are those that consider our good intentions to be interference. We are labeled nosy, bossy, thinking we know more than the parents, or told that it is none of our business.

Because of this attitude, many have adopted the attitude of “not getting involved” no matter what the circumstances. We think, “we’ll just let the consequences fall on those involved.”

In my studies last week, I ran across a scripture that has caused me to give a lot of thought to this idea of seeing danger and warning or not warning. The passage is found in Ezekiel 3.

Ezekiel had been called by God to be His prophet to Israel. He had experienced a strange vision, and now God is giving Ezekiel instructions as to what He expects.

Israel was wicked, and God wanted them to repent; yet He knew they wouldn’t. He even told Ezekiel this would happen. God then gave Ezekiel some circumstances and the results that would follow for each.

• God told Ezekiel to warn the people based on direct instructions from God (verse 17).
• If Ezekiel didn’t warn them, those that were wicked would die, but their blood would be on Ezekiel (verse 18).
• If Ezekiel did warn them, and they did not turn from their wickedness, they would die; but Ezekiel would not be held responsible (verse 19).
• God also said that if a righteous person becomes unrighteous, he would die. If Ezekiel had not warned him, his blood would be on Ezekiel (verse 20).
• If Ezekiel warned the righteous person not to sin, and he did not sin, he would live; and Ezekiel would be credited with saving the man’s soul (verse 21).

How would we feel if we were under such instructions? Would we warn the ungodly? Would we work harder with the righteous to keep them righteous? Would we study more, pray more, and serve more to keep ourselves righteous? And will God hold us accountable if we don’t warn those whom we see living in sin?

Paul told the Ephesian elders, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26). 

Paul knew that these men would face difficult times, and he wanted them to be prepared. He reminded them that they were responsible for the souls of the Christians in the church where they served as elders. He basically gave them the same warning God gave Ezekiel. He said, “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Paul Told Timothy, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (Second Timothy 4:2).

Paul told him that the time was coming when people would not listen to him, and they would be turned away from the truth. That sounds a lot like the condition of our world today.

Warning the sinner is not just the responsibility of elders and preachers, it falls on us as well. Listen, and take heed. “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

The apostle, John, warned the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3. They did many good things, but their sins were going to keep them from eternity with the Father.

John said at the conclusion of his warnings, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22). We need to listen to the voice of God to Ezekiel, the voice of Paul to the elders in Ephesus, the voice of Paul to the young preacher Timothy, the voice of James to Christians, and the voice of John to anyone who has an ear to hear. We need to warn and be warned to save our souls from eternal punishment.

Sandra Oliver