Swimming with Sharks

In the open waters of the ocean, the shark is at the top of the food chain. The sea is its buffet. Very little strikes fear in a person playing, surfing or paddling close to shore or stranded miles away from the beach than the word "Shark!"

Sharks come in many different sizes from the 6-inch dwarf lantern shark to the 33-foot great white. There are over 500 species of sharks today and they have swum the earth's oceans since prehistoric days. They are practically fearless and can smell the scent of blood miles away.

On the beach there are lifeguards vigilantly keeping watch for dangers lurking in the water. But, there are dangers everywhere that we should be keenly aware of. Are you watching guardedly for those people, things and temptations that will harm you where you live, work, play and socialize? 

Sharks come in many shapes and forms on dry ground too. The Psalms and Proverbs offer words of caution and instruction concerning being aware and guarded with certain areas of our life.

In our SPEECH
I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle. (Psalm 39:1)

In our PURITY
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (Psalm 119:9)

In our UNDERSTANDING
Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you. (Proverbs 2:11)

In our ACTIONS
Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked. (Proverbs 13:6)

In our JOURNEYS
The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. (Proverbs 16:17)

In our MINDS
But you, dear friends, since you know this in advance, guard yourselves; so that you will not be led away by the errors of the wicked and fall from your own secure position. (2 Peter 3:17)

But even if we are weak, we have this promise from God:

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

You may be swimming with sharks knowingly or unknowingly, but you can rest assured that you have a faithful lifeguard -- Jesus.