Online Articles
The 'Check Engine' Light
Warning signs are everywhere. Road signs prepare drivers for the potential of pedestrians crossing the street, icy bridges, curvy roads and falling rock. Computers within some vehicles inform when the tire pressure is too low, how many miles you have left before running out of gas and when you need to check your engine.
For some lights that flash on, the manual is needed correctly interpret what the designer of the car intended the operator to do to fix the potential problem. While there are safety requirements and laws that are meant to protect the driver and passengers in the vehicle, one might assume all of those warnings are just to get us in the shop where they can tell us how much we owe to fix all of these issues. Just the other day the check engine light came on in my van. This was after I had taken it in for an oil change the week before. I called the dealership and asked them the reason that light could be on after getting a service. The “sales”, I mean service agent informed me of several potential problems the van might have, but concluded that the person who performed the oil change simply forgot to reset the warning light.
Don’t you wish we had lights and buzzers that went off when we might be in danger spiritually? Maybe a low encouragement sensor and a go to the Lord in prayer soon blinking light would be nice. We could place a sticker on ourselves that reads, “Next worship service in 3 days or first day of the week, whichever comes first.” An annoying buzzer would be appropriate when we leave our armor off (Ephesians 6).
While the technology might not quite be there for us spiritually, the Lord did give us plenty of warning signals. We need to pay attention to them.
- Elders – “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account” (Hebrews 13:17).
- Brethren – “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
- Preachers – “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
- Our study habits – “searched the Scriptures daily…” (Acts 17:11).
- Our prayer life – “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).
- Our attendance – “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:25).
Some people can drive their car for weeks while a check engine light is on and simply ignore it. The automobile may not break down the next day or even the following week, but damage is being done that will be evident sooner or later. We can also ignore those who are trying to help us spiritually. Continuing to skip our spiritual meals, prayer time and avoid brethren may not be a big deal to some. But for certain, damage is being done (Our example is fading, our strength is waning and we are becoming callused).
A warning light in our vehicles is meant to alert us to the problem, not fix it. Likewise, the spiritual warning signs do not fix the issue. We must individually do something about it before it is too late.
