Steer Clear of Danger by Paying Attention

Now then, my sons, listen to me;
       pay attention to what I say.

Do not let your heart turn to her ways
       or stray into her paths.

Many are the victims she has brought down;
       her slain are a mighty throng.

Her house is a highway to the grave,
       leading down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 7:24-27 (NIV)

Props: road signs, picture of road (painted with yellow and white lines)

            Most of you haven’t started driving yet, but when you’re with adult drivers you know that they have to pay careful attention to the road, the other cars, the signs and the traffic lights.  (Display stop sign).  Who can tell me what this means?  (Allow for response).  Right!  A stop sign means “stop.”  It’s important for drivers to pay attention to stop signs and all other traffic signs on the road.  A driver who is not paying attention could miss the stop sign, hurt himself and hurt others, maybe even killing them. 

Even the little things that you may not think about are still important.  (Display picture of road).  For example, the yellow lines in the middle of the road let the driver know whether or not it’s safe to pass another car.  So drivers have to pay attention, even to the details.  It could mean life or death.

It’s important to pay attention to the details in every area of your life.  The Bible says that paying attention to the Law of the Lord, the Bible and all that God teaches us, will keep us away from danger.  Paying attention to God’s Law will help to keep us safe and under His protection.  Not paying attention and disobeying God is like running a stop sign or a red light—it could mean death.  Pay close attention to what God has to say, just like you would pay attention to the signs on the road if you were driving.