Americans are getting warned to death. Manufacturers are growing increasingly wary of being sued when their products are misused, so they are attaching warning labels to hundreds of items.

For example, a Batman outfit bears this caveat: "Parents, please exercise caution--For Play Only. Mask and cape are not protective; cape does not enable user to fly."

So many warnings appear on items sold in our stores, say the experts, that they've lost their effectiveness.

While these kinds of warnings may fall on deaf ears, the Bible points out the importance of heeding God's warnings. Ezekiel's words in chapter 3 make it clear that a warning is vital not only for the person receiving it but also for the person giving it (vv.16-21).

God's words must be taken seriously. "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit," we are told (Eph. 4:30). "Abstain from every form of evil," we are reminded (1 Th. 5:22). Jesus warned against adultery and lust (Mt. 5:27-28) and against judging others self-righteously (Mt. 7:1-5).

The Lord who made us knows how we should live. He longs to protect us from danger. Let's make sure we take all of His warnings seriously.  — Dave Branon