17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 2 Peter 3:17

Peter and Paul (and Jesus himself) gave us plenty of “be on your guard” warnings for at least two reasons. First, we are easily deceived. We can deny that all we want and believe our knowledge of Scripture is second to none, but mankind does not have a good track record of remaining faithful to the Word of God. We err. We sin. We go astray.

The second reason is related to the first and should not be dismissed. The enemy the devil hates you and will do whatever he can to trip you up, question your beliefs or lead you astray.

Those two reasons alone make a powerful argument for being on your guard.

Fortunately, we are not helpless. We have the Holy Spirit to call upon in times of need or in times of no need.