Kids Bible Devotional for November 7, 2024
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Focus Verse
2 Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; (NKJV)
Jump Start
Warning: Do not hold the wrong end of a chainsaw? Okay. That sounds pretty reasonable.
Have you ever studied the warning labels on some products? Every so often, you might run into one that has you scratching your head, like the one we began with. Try to picture in your mind what could have possibly happened to have had a chainsaw maker put that warning on their product. You know what. Better yet. Don’t.
The Bible is filled with lots of instructions might have you thinking, “Well, yeah. That’s obvious.” Things like, don’t kill or steal. Why do you think the Bible is so specific about certain rights and wrongs? That is the subject of today’s devotion.
Today's Devotion
Micah sat on the couch eating peanuts when the warning label on the can caught his attention. “Hey, everyone, listen to this.” His mom, dad, and older brother, Jerry, looked up from their card game. “This can reads, and I quote, ‘Warning, this product contains peanuts.’ Well, duh, it’s a can of peanuts. Of course it contains peanuts. Who writes this stuff?”
“That’s there for people with a peanut allergy,” Dad said.
Jerry chortled. “Can you imagine telling a doctor, ‘Doctor, I didn’t know my can of peanuts had peanuts in it.’”
“Alright, guys. I know it may seem redundant, but manufacturers put labels on food that contains nuts,” Mom said. “That’s for the safety of the purchaser.”
“Some things should go without saying, I think,” Micah said.
“You can say the same thing about some of instructions in the Bible,” said Dad. “Everyone knows killing and stealing are wrong. Yet, the Bible makes it clear that that there are consequences to these and a lot more.”
“I can see that,” Micah said. “I guess it’s the same with these peanuts. It’s just another reminder to think before you eat.”
“That’s one way to look at it,” Mom said. “Another way to look at it is that the manufacturer has a responsibility to protect the consumer. In the Bible, we’re told to beware of people who teach false messages, otherwise we could be misled. People with food allergies instinctively read food labels. We are to do the same with God’s Word. We must be sure that what we’re told will not lead us astray.”
“Not everyone needs these warnings,” Dad added. “People who study the Bible and understands truth learn what pleases and displeases God. But some people, like new converts or the young, need to be protected. They are still learning.”
“I guess you’ve got a point,” Jerry said. “I guess when we stand before God, we can’t say God didn’t warn us.”
Micah popped a handful of peanuts into his mouth. “I certainly learned something today.”
“You mean about the purpose of warning labels?” Mom asked.
“No. I never knew that a can of peanuts could be so spiritual.”
Wrap Up
The Bible gives many commandments and warnings. One being about avoiding false teachings. Peter spoke much about this in his second epistle.
In chapter 2, Peter said that false teachers speak great words and promise liberties centered around carnal desires that end us enslaving themselves and those who follow them to their own corruption. He warns that once we have escaped what he calls “the pollutions of this world”, we are not to become entangled in it again.
We need to be careful who we listen to when receiving spiritual direction. If the message can’t be backed by Bible, more likely than not, it’s not the gospel truth.
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