A driver who ignores traffic signals is "an accident looking for a place to happen." Anyone cheating on red or stopping absentmindedly on green is a danger to himself and to others. Although a series of red lights can be a pain when you're eager to get to your destination, an accident can bring even greater pain.

Several years ago I was happily surprised when a traffic signal was finally installed on a corner that had been especially frustrating to me. It turned a daily ordeal into an orderly and predictable way of getting onto a busy street. Waiting occasionally at a red light is now a pleasure—at least at that intersection of bad memories.

The Scriptures too have some "red lights" that should control our lives as Christians. They are the prohibitions against envy, pride, hatred, irreverence, lust, and selfishness. When the Holy Spirit alerts us to their presence, we should immediately hit the brakes. Likewise, as we move into the heavy traffic of daily living, we must quickly respond by obeying the "green" signals of kindness, humility, love, worship, and purity.

God's stops and starts are designed to help us. We should be as fearful of ignoring a command of Scripture as we are of running a red light.    — Mart De Haan