We’ve all been there – driving along when suddenly, a red or amber light illuminates on the car’s dashboard. For many, the immediate reaction is a moment of slight panic or at least mild irritation. “Oh great, what now?” might be a common thought. While some might initially dismiss it, thinking “it’s probably just a glitch,” the wiser approach is to heed these Car Warning Lights. They are, after all, designed to alert us to potential problems under the hood, issues that, if ignored, could lead to bigger, more costly, or even dangerous situations.
Just as our cars have warning lights to signal mechanical issues, our spiritual lives also have indicators – spiritual warning lights – designed by God to alert us to potential problems within our hearts and souls. These aren’t malfunctions; they are divine signals, lovingly placed to guide us back to the right path and ensure we are running smoothly on our spiritual journey. However, just like with our cars, we often tend to ignore or rationalize away these spiritual dashboard lights, sometimes to our detriment.
Why do we so often disregard these crucial spiritual indicators? There are several reasons why we might fail to take our spiritual warning lights seriously.
Firstly, lack of awareness. Just as someone unfamiliar with cars might not know what each dashboard symbol means, many Christians may be unaware of what constitutes a spiritual warning sign. The solution here is consistent spiritual education and growth through the Bible. We need to learn to recognize the symbols on our spiritual dashboard by immersing ourselves in Scripture and sound biblical teaching. Understanding God’s word equips us to identify when a spiritual light is flashing, signaling a need for attention.
Secondly, questioning spiritual authority. In our cars, we might sometimes doubt the warning light, thinking it’s faulty or oversensitive. Similarly, in our spiritual lives, we might implicitly question the authority of Scripture when it reveals uncomfortable truths about ourselves. While true believers affirm the Bible’s authority, we can subtly undermine it by rationalizing away the warnings it presents. We might acknowledge the Bible’s truth in general but hesitate to apply its specific, convicting principles to our own lives. The remedy is to actively live under the authority of Scripture, allowing its clear principles to direct and correct our daily walk with Christ.
Thirdly, willful ignorance due to attachment to sin. Sometimes, we see the car warning light, we know what it means, but we choose to ignore it because addressing it might be inconvenient or costly. Spiritually, we might be aware of a sin in our lives – a flashing warning light – but consciously choose to ignore it because we are unwilling to let go. We might be so enamored with a particular sin that we suppress the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The solution is repentance, allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate in us a genuine sorrow for our sin and a desire to turn away from it.
One powerful example of a spiritual warning light can be found in Nehemiah 4:14. This verse highlights the critical issue of fear. In the analogy of a car engine, a healthy “fear of God” is essential for proper spiritual functioning. But how do we know when our fear of God is waning, when this particular spiritual light is illuminated? Nehemiah provides insight: the warning light flashes when we fear people more than we fear God.
The Israelites in Nehemiah’s time were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem amidst threats and ridicule from their enemies. These enemies plotted to attack and stop their work (Nehemiah 4:1-8, 11). Nehemiah took precautions, stationing guards and arming the people (Nehemiah 4:12-13). However, he observed a deeper problem: “When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: ‘Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome…'” (Nehemiah 4:14). The warning light was their fear of their enemies, a fear that was overshadowing their fear of God.
Fear of God and fear of people are mutually exclusive. They cannot coexist in equal measure. If we are dominated by the fear of people or circumstances, it indicates a diminished fear of God. Conversely, a strong fear of God naturally diminishes the fear of people and worldly pressures. Nehemiah’s exhortation, “Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome,” underscores this point. Fearing people or circumstances elevates them to a position of undue influence in our lives, effectively placing them above God.
In essence, fear of man is a form of idolatry. It’s giving undue weight and reverence to mortal beings or temporary situations instead of the Almighty God. When we prioritize the opinions or threats of people over God’s will and commands, we are dimming the light of God’s glory in our lives and letting another “god” take precedence.
So, consider your own spiritual dashboard. Are any warning lights flashing? Are you experiencing “rogue fears” – anxieties about your job, finances, future, or health – that are eclipsing your trust in God? Do you hesitate to lovingly confront a fellow believer in sin because of fear of their reaction? Do you find yourself unable to share the Gospel with those around you due to fear of rejection? These are all potential spiritual warning lights, indicating an imbalance in our fear of God.
Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” For those in Christ, fear of God is not about dreading condemnation, but about reverent awe and respect for His holiness and power. He is the one who saved you through grace, a gift you didn’t deserve. Therefore, cultivate a healthy fear of God and pay attention to the warning lights on your spiritual dashboard. Addressing these signals promptly will keep you spiritually healthy and on the right road, honoring God in all you do.
