The Lord gives warnings so that we would be watchful and thereby avoid and defeat sin and evil. The language of Kings is remarkably similar to the language of Ephesians 6. We are wrestling not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole Armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand… being watchful to this end (Eph. 6:18).

Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice. – II Kings 6:10

In Matt. 16:11, Mark 12:38, and Luke 12:15 [1] the Lord tells His audience to “Beware” of three things: certain leaven; scribes; and covetousness. Like the prophets of the Old Testament, Jesus Christ spent much of His ministry warning His disciples of dangers from false teachers and false ways. Why does the Lord give us warnings?

As much as the kings of Israel opposed the Lord, they tended to listen to the prophets when they thought it was in their best interest to do so. With Ben-Hadad probing for an advantage, King Joram of Israel listened to the military warnings given by Elisha. King Joram sent soldiers to garrison and defend the location and in each situation the advantage was turned from Syria to Israel. The language of verse 10 is striking. Elisha warned the king not just once or twice but many times, “and he was watchful there.”

The text today teaches us a basic truth: The Lord gives warnings so that we would be watchful and thereby avoid and defeat sin and evil. The language of Kings is remarkably similar to the language of Ephesians 6. We are wrestling not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole Armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand… being watchful to this end (Eph. 6:18).

When the King of Israel was warned by Elisha of the approaching enemy seeking to gain the advantage on him, the King immediately filled the week point in his defense with troops, defended it, and laid in wait to resist and even defeat the enemy if the opportunity presented itself.

The Lord warns us of the enemy that is attacking and has attacked us many times before. There would be nothing better for God’s enemies than for us to allow sin to gain the upper hand and devour us as many have been devoured before. So the Lord calls us to be watchful against this evil which always seems to be probing for advantage. The Lord calls us to prepare for the attacks of the evil one. How can we do it?

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