It is common to hear someone make the statement that they are going to “stay on the safe side.” A variation of this is to say they are “erring on the side of caution.” What does this mean?
Cambridge Dictionary defines being “on the safe side” as being “especially careful to avoid something unpleasant.” Another definition is that it is “avoiding danger, with a margin for error.” The latter source also indicates that this idiom was first recorded in 1811; so for those of us in the United States, it is a phrase we have likely heard before.
Sometimes it is fine or even wise to “stay on the safe side.” However, there is a difference between wisdom and safety. Sometimes these will overlap, but not always. The Lord wants us to be wise and prudent, but we will not always be safe. This was the point in His warning to His disciples: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). If they attempted to avoid the danger that Jesus spoke of at all costs, they would no longer be conducting themselves with the wisdom He called them to exhibit.
At times, staying “on the safe side” is actually dangerous. “Erring on the side of caution” can cause us to err. It can lead to fear and compromise and often is the result of a lack of faith. This is especially true in spiritual matters.
Faithfulness often requires us to venture out of safety. We must do the will of God regardless of the consequences. In this series, we are going to discuss the dangers that exist on the “safe side” and consider why it is appealing to stay on the “safe side,” why it is dangerous, and what we should do instead. We are going to discuss the following topics:
- Avoiding controversy
- Expanding fellowship
- Adding rules
- Avoiding persecution
As we consider these lessons together, let us make the determination at the outset that we are going to be faithful to the Lord no matter what the cost.
