Watch Out For Wild Animals

The other, day driving the road from Hilo back to Waikoloa, we saw signs constantly warning of us about wild animals crossing the road.

I don’t know how many signs we saw, but it seemed like every 2-4 miles we saw another sign with the same warning. Finally, I quipped to Norma Jean, “They could save some money with just one sign that said, “Wild Animals Crossing. Next 50 miles.”

However, as we continued our drive and saw more signs, I thought there are probably places where animals are more apt to cross, thus the signs. However, it also occurred to me that human nature being what it is, if there was only one sign with a warning for the entire stretch of road, you would probably forget about it.

But with so many signs, you couldn’t ignore the warning. Or forget the possibility of a wild animal darting out in front of your car. Indeed roaming the island are feral cattle. goats, sheep, donkeys, boar and deer.

In fact a few days later, I narrowly missed hitting a wild mountain goat that ran across the road in front of me. After that occurred I turned to Norma Jean and said, “Well, better pay attention to the signs.”

Reflecting on this experience reminded me of the Biblical warnings against Satan who is called a wild animal. A roaring lion. A fiery, red dragon. The deceptive old serpent (Rev. 12:3; 20:2; I Pet. 5:8)

Furthermore, deceivers, false prophets and ungodly people are spoken of as beasts, brute beasts, ravenous wolves, and savage wolves (Jude 10, 2 Pet. 2:12; Rev. 19:10; Matt 7:15; Ax. 20:29).

The three most familiar of these warnings come from the pen of the apostle Peter, the mouth of Jesus in His mountain message, and Paul’s warning to the Ephesian Shepherds.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Pet. 5:8-9).

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit” (Matt. 5:15-17).

“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock”. (Ax. 20:29)

These and many other warnings in the Bible remind Christians that danger lurks in a fallen, wicked world. The Devil is real. Alive. Active. Always on the prowl. And seeks to entice, entangle, and ensnare you in some sin that will soil your soul and snatch away your eternal salvation.

Yes, the Bible teaches that a Christian can sin, become unfaithful, and lose their salvation.

Paul warned the Galatian brethren that some had become “estranged from Christ,” and had “fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4).

Peter very graphically compared Christians who had escaped the world’s pollution, but by sinful entanglement had become like a a dog returning to his own vomit and a washed hog returning to wallowing in the mud. (2 Pet. 2:20-22).

The beloved John also warns throughout his three short epistles about the danger of false teachers who would lead us away from the Lord, the doctrine of Christ, and the fellowship of the Father.

The history of God’s people, Israel, serves as a stark reminder that we can be led astray. How often do we read of their rebellion, unfaithfulness, and idolatrous practices in the Old Testament? In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul uses that narrative to offer this admonition.

“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted… Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:1-13).

The possibility of apostasy is ever present. The temptation to sin to just around the next curve. The alluring false teacher is over the next hill. The provocation to pride that weakens our resolve may reside on the mountain top. Or the danger of discouragement that causes us to quit may dwell in the valley.

The Biblical road signs are frequent and constant. They’re found in every book. Don’t ignore them. Or dismiss them.

Wild animals are lurking. Don’t let them sneak up on you and wreck your faith.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman