At what point in life can we stop being careful? When we all hop in self-driven cars? When one never spills milk any more? When you or I make more consecutive 4th quarter playoff free throws than Steph Curry (81)?

The need to be careful stands ever before us.

Are you careful to avoid these fundamental things:

• Texting while driving
• Fouling jump shooters
• Committing live ball turnovers in the backcourt
• Taking your foot off the gas before the end of a race
• Making more withdrawals than deposits when it comes to bank accounts and human relationships

I hope so!

God’s Word offers many crucial relational cautions. If we know what’s good for us, we will pay close attention. Highlighted here are those cautions bundled in 2 Peter 2:

• Be careful of those who despise authority and slander others. Their negativity could contaminate you (2 Peter 2:10).
• Be careful of prideful people. Their arrogance will rub off on you if you give them too much audience. Pride goes before a fall (2 Peter 2:10).
• Be careful of those who act spiritually superior. Real spirituality leads to humility and selfless service, not intimidation (2 Peter 2:12).
• Be careful of those who flaunt their sensuality and act out sexually. Feeding lust is dangerous. Sexual addiction will follow (Peter 2:13,14).
• Be careful of heeding those who are skillful in greed and seduction. Learning the art of making a deal must never include envy or sex (2 Peter 2:14).
• Be careful of spiritual hustlers who prey on the naive. Prosperity Gospel guys over-promise and under-deliver. They subtly promote fear and openly invite you to empty your wallet in the name of God (2 Peter 2:15).
• Be careful of those who promise freedom from moral constraints. The freedom they preach has already enslaved them. They have become slaves of depravity (2 Peter 2:19).

Reflect: In what way might you need to be especially on guard, spiritually careful right now? Is there anyone or anything that might be unwittingly mastering you?

What adjustments must be made in order to not get taken, ensnared, enslaved?

A prayer to consider: LORD, may nothing master me but You. Help me to be careful about everything and everyone else. Be my consuming fire that burns away every lesser thing.

Give me eyes to see and ears to hear. I want to follow the Leader well. For Your great glory and my joy in You. Amen.