Dangers on the Safe Side is a 4-part series discussing the temptation to make decisions based upon what is most convenient, comfortable, or easy rather than what is right.

Contents:

February 21, 2022

Dangers on the Safe Side: Conclusion

Dangers on the Safe Side

Over the last few weeks, we have be considering the tendency to stay “on the safe side” when it comes to difficult decisions we have to make. For inconsequential matters or choices that pertain only to this life, it may be fine or even wise to do this. However, as we have seen, in the realm of spiritual matters and our responsibilities before the Lord, staying “on the safe side” is dangerous, and “erring on the side of caution” can lead to error and sin.

When it comes to spiritual matters and God-given responsibilities, we run into problems when we make decisions based upon what is most convenient, comfortable, or easy rather than what is right. To recap, the areas we have considered in the series are:Continue Reading

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February 14, 2022

Dangers on the Safe Side (Part 4): Avoiding Persecution

Dangers on the Safe Side

In writing to Timothy, Paul made it clear that the life of a Christian would involve persecution: “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). During the first century and at various times and places throughout history, Christians have faced severe persecution for their faith. In this country, generally speaking, any persecution we may have encountered for our faith has been minimal. However, as our society and civil leaders become increasingly ungodly, the likelihood that we will see more severe persecution in the future becomes more of a possibility. When threatened with physical harm, imprisonment, or some other type of abuse, it is tempting to do nearly anything to stay “on the safe side” and avoid it. Yet no matter how dangerous it may become to be a faithful Christian, there are greater dangers in compromising in order to avoid persecution.

The Hebrew writer reminded the brethren of persecution they had already endured and encouraged them to remain faithful.Continue Reading

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February 7, 2022

Dangers on the Safe Side (Part 3): Adding Rules

Dangers on the Safe Side

In the previous article, we talked about expanding fellowship beyond the limits given in the Scriptures. As we noticed in that article, if we are too loose in our fellowship, we can end up jeopardizing our fellowship with God. However, there is a danger in swinging too far in the other direction and being too strict in our fellowship. This happens when we impose rules upon others that are in addition to the instructions found in the word of God, and then refuse to have fellowship with those who do not conform to our rules. These rules may have been created with good intentions – trying to stay “on the safe side” and keep as far from the line of sin as possible. There is nothing wrong with this on a personal level, but it is dangerous when we try to enforce these rules on others.

Paul addressed this problem of adding rules in addition to what the Lord required in his letter to the church in Colossae.Continue Reading

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January 31, 2022

Dangers on the Safe Side (Part 2): Expanding Fellowship

Dangers on the Safe Side

One of the blessings we enjoy as Christians is the fellowship we have with other believers. As the world around us becomes more ungodly, it is especially valuable to have this relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet we also need to remember that God has given certain rules that outline the bounds of our fellowship. It may be tempting to stay “on the safe side” and not draw lines of fellowship among our brethren. We do not want to draw lines that God has not drawn [we will discuss this more in the next article], yet there are dangers that exist when we expand fellowship beyond the bounds that God has given us.

Let us notice Paul’s rebuke of the church in Corinth for failing to deal with one who was in sin among them.Continue Reading

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January 24, 2022

Dangers on the Safe Side (Part 1): Avoiding Controversy

Dangers on the Safe Side

For many Christians, controversy is undesirable. Debates, which were common in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, are rare today. In some ways, this is understandable. As our society has become more polarized and heated debates can erupt over issues that seem to be largely insignificant, it is tempting to want to stay “on the safe side” and avoid anything controversial (we do not want to “rock the boat”) so we can continue to get along with our brethren. However, there are dangers that come with avoiding controversy on spiritual issues.

Consider the example of the apostle Peter (also called Cephas):Continue Reading

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January 17, 2022

Dangers on the Safe Side: Introduction

Dangers on the Safe Side

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.Continue Reading

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