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Introduction:
I love the children’s songs we sing. Most often, they contain
the most simple and yet profound messages of all our songs.
However, because we label them children’s songs, we often forget
their powerful insight into living for the Lord. Consider one such
song by which we need to live even though we are now grown up:
“Oh Be Careful…” Examine this song’s meaning with us and
let us make sure not to forget it just because we are older. Discussion: I.
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. A.
In Psalm
101:3, David said he would put no worthless thing before
his eyes, because he hated those works. He knew that looking at
those things would allow them to fasten their grip on him and he
refused to let that happen. B.
Are you careful regarding what you see? Are you careful
when you are online? Are you careful when you watch TV? Are you
careful when you see a movie? Obviously, each of us must make our
own decisions regarding what we may watch. I cannot make a list of
approved shows and movies for you. However, please allow me to
provoke your thinking regarding what you see. 1.
What would you think if it were your spouse or child
participating in what you are watching? 2.
Would you allow the activity to take place in your home for
your kids to watch? 3.
Would you invite Jesus to watch this activity with you? 4.
If there wasn’t a TV screen between you and the activity,
would it be a sin for you to be there? 5.
Does nudity become acceptable just because it is a short
part of a great story? C.
We will give account for the things we see, especially for
those things we seek out in entertainment. Therefore, we need to
set limits. We need to follow Job’s example in Job
31:1, making a covenant with our eyes not to look on
things which cross these limits. II.
Oh, be careful little ears what you hear. A.
The scripture is full of advice regarding things we should
hear and those we should not. At one time I counted at least 31
references to things we should or should not hear in Proverbs
alone. B.
What do we hear in our music? At first, I was going to find
and read some lyrics from songs. But I quickly realized, I could
in no way preserve the respect and decency of this pulpit while
reading these lyrics. We could find lyrics from counter-cultural
groups to mainstream artists in every genre. We would find lyrics
explicitly describing sexual acts, describing acts of extreme
violence or blatantly blaspheming and mocking God. The concerning
thing about music is, we are often deceived into listening to
music with a sinful message because we don’t consciously listen
to the words. Regrettably, those messages are planted in our minds
and affect our outlook. C.
What types of conversations do we listen to? What things do
we allow others to say around us? Many of us would not be caught
dead listening to the music I have described, but do we listen to
gossip, factious speech, backbiting and other sins of the tongue.
It is important to be careful what we hear because our hearing
contributes to others sinning with their tongues. The fact is,
most sins of the tongue could not be committed if the tongue could
not find a listening ear. D.
I
Corinthians 15:33
demonstrates why it is important to be careful what you hear and
see. “Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good
morals” (KJV). What we hear and see shapes our thoughts. Our
thoughts shape our actions. Our actions shape our habits. Our
habits shape our character. Our character shapes our eternal
destiny. As Galatians
6:7-8 teaches, we will reap what we sow. If we sow to the
flesh through what we hear, we will reap sin in our lives. It
cannot be helped, it is the natural progression. III.
Oh, be careful little mouth what you say. A.
We all know that cursing and taking God’s or Jesus’
name in vain is sinful. Most of us wouldn’t’ dare tell a dirty
joke, because we know it is unwholesome speech. But, this advice
doesn’t just apply to obvious sins of the tongue. It also
applies to more subtle forms of sinful communication. B.
Time doesn’t permit us to look at every verse which
describes what we may or may not say. However, Ephesians
4:29 provides the guideline for proper speech. “Let no
unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as
is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so
that it will give grace to those who hear.” We must speak those
things that build and abstain from those which tear down. C.
This building up may be spiritually, mentally, emotionally.
Can you think of things which tear others down? (Lying, gossip,
backing, discord and discouragement, hypercriticism, hypocritical
judgment, etc.) Can you think of things which build others up?
(Truth, the gospel, encouraging words, praise, honor, a good joke,
constructive criticism from a desire to help, etc.) Learn this
verse and apply it to your every day life. Be careful what you
say. And as the old adage says, “If you can’t say something
nice, don’t say anything at all.” IV.
Oh be careful little hands what you do. A.
This is the most general of the lessons in this song,
encompassing every action we perform. Jesus stresses how important
it is to be careful what we do in Matthew
15:19-20. He says the things we do cause us to be defiled.
Therefore, we must be careful what we do. The guidelines for
careful action are expressed in Jesus’ response to the question
from the scribe, “What commandment is the foremost of all” (Mark
12:28-31). Love God and others. B.
John
14:21-24 explains that loving God means keeping His
commandments. It is not a warm fuzzy feeling in our heart at the
mention of God’s name. It is not simply being religious. It is
getting into Christ’s word and doing what He says. C.
Loving our neighbor is explained in the parable of the Good
Samaritan in Luke
10:30-37. It means to do good to others, no matter who
they are, providing their needs, showing mercy to them. This is
not about doing good to those we like, but doing good to those we
can. D.
Finally, don’t serve God or man half-heartedly. Ecclesiastes
9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with
all your might.” V.
Oh be careful little feet where you go. A.
Proverbs
4:25-27
says our ways will be established if we watch where we walk. The
easiest way to be careful what we see, hear, say and do is to
first be careful where we go. If our feet carry us to places which
lend themselves to sin, we are more likely to sin. B.
Paul instructed Timothy to flee youthful lusts and pursue
righteousness (II
Timothy 2:22). That is something we do with our feet, we
flee sin. We steer clear of places which will encourage us to sin.
We follow the example of Joseph when Potiphar’s wife attempted
to seduce him in Genesis
39:7-12. Vs.
10 says Joseph not only refused to lie with her but to
even be with her. He knew that if he was with her, he would
eventually lie with her so he used his feet to avoid her. When he
found himself in her presence by her design, not his. He did not
stick around to demonstrate his will-power. He ran for it. C.
Proverbs is filled with admonitions regarding where our
feet take us. Proverbs
1:15 says we should not walk in the way with sinners. Proverbs
2:20 says we should walk in paths of righteousness. If
being in a certain place, with a certain group or around a certain
activity gives temptation to sin, don’t hang around to show how
strong your. Flee! Conclusion: This song stresses that we must be careful. It may be a children’s song. But it is not a children’s message. We must be careful. If we are not, we will fall. Are you careful with you eyes, ears, mouth, hands and feet?
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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