Grrr!

“A dog’s warning sign” is a common clue in crossword puzzles. The answer is “grrr.” 

In general, according to veterinarians, dogs growl to mean, “Stay out of my way or I’ll bite you!” If we stay away as warned, we are spared from being bitten and the trouble that follows afterwards. 

This has an equivalent in church. It is called the ministry of warning, defined as cautionary proclamation of red flags. 

Ministry of warning cautions us against believing in false teachings, feel-good theology, and dangerous ideologies. The goal of this ministry is to guide us in our Christian walk so we can be faithful to the Lord and His Word. Unfortunately, people who verbalize warnings are often misunderstood—and sometimes questioned by those who believe that God’s people must be edified instead of warned.  

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (NLT), Apostle Paul stressed to the church, “. . . we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” 

We also read in 1 Peter 5:8, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 

Are we responsible for warning others in his/her spiritual walk? 

If we are a parent, a Sunday school teacher, a church leader, a pastor, or a concerned church member, we certainly are. We all have a Biblical ministry to warn our faith brethren when they veer away from God’s teachings. 

The ministry of warning is part and parcel of our duty as followers of Christ so nobody gets bitten by the prowling enemy.