Devotional:Warn Them:Ezekiel 3

“Go to the exiles, to the sons of your people, and speak to them, whether they listen or not, ‘Thus says the LORD God’” (Ezekiel 3:11, NASB).

Have you ever felt like telling someone that you love the truth about them? Maybe you were reluctant to say anything because of your fear of how they would respond to what you had to tell them. Often we keep our mouths shut telling ourselves that it really is not our business. We can convince ourselves that we should remain silent because they already know what we want to tell them, or at least they ought to know. Maybe we are afraid of how they will respond to what we have to say. After all, it’s their business and they have the right to make their own choices. We tell ourselves that we should not hurt the feelings of other. We should not shame them, especially in front of other people. We would tell them, but we do not want to be rejected ourselves. We don’t want to have to stand alone. For these reasons and others, we remain silent when deep in our inner being we know that we ought to open our mouths and say something whether they listen or not.

The prophet Ezekiel was one of the exiles in Babylon and a priest (Ezek. 1:3). The Spirit of the Lord entered him and told him to warn the exiles, the sons of Israel, and his own people. He was to give the exiles a warning from the Lord. The Spirit told Ezekiel that he was not responsible for how they would respond to what he told them. They would suffer if they did not heed the warning whether he told them or did not tell them. However, the Lord was holding him accountable for whether or not he gave the people God’s warning. He was not to be fearful. He was to speak plainly in words that they could understand. God would give him His Spirit so that he would have the right words to say and the boldness to speak them.

God commands us to warn others of their sins; especially their idolatry and rebellion against God. When we know in our heart that God is calling us to warn others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, it is our responsibility to warn them according to God’s word. They must be made aware of what God has to say. The warning gives them the options that they have so that they can make a choice. They will be equipped to make an informed decision. God holds us accountable for giving the warning.

Prayer: Lord we thank you for warning us of our sins. Amen.