As Careless as the People of Laish-A warning for the New year by Dr Nathaniel Omilani

As Careless as the People of Laish

Happy New Year! In this year of grace, I pray that the Almighty God grants you victory over every challenge you face, in Jesus’ name. This article summarizes God’s guidance for the new year. The Lord encourages you not to be careless in this new year and to allow the Holy Spirit to guide all your actions.

 

Judges 18:7

Then the five men departed, and came to Laish, and saw the people that were therein, how they dwelt careless, after the manner of the Zidonians, quiet and secure; and there was no magistrate in the land, that might put them to shame in any thing; and they were far from the Zidonians, and had no business with any man.

I will begin with a question to provide context: Who are the people of Laish?

After wandering in the wilderness for about four decades, the Israelites began to enter their inheritance. Following the death of Moses, the Lord appointed Joshua to lead them into the promised land, where territory was allocated to each tribe. Initially, Joshua guided the Israelites to possess the land collectively (Joshua 10:28-43). Later, he instructed each tribe to go and take possession of their designated areas, assuring them that God would drive out the inhabitants before them. This process of land possession would involve battles between the tribes seeking to claim their land and the inhabitants (Joshua 13). For example, the tribe of Judah was called to fight against the people who remained in the wilderness of Zin (Joshua 15).

The tribe of Dan struggled for a long time to drive out the inhabitants of Laish. They had been assigned the land that belonged to the people of Laish, located near Zidon. It was only after most other tribes had settled into their inheritance that the tribe of Dan decided to confront the people of Laish. Before engaging in battle, they sent spies to scout the land, and the spies returned with the following reports.

 

1. They were careless
2. They had no magistrate to make them ashamed of anything

Do not be Careless in 2025

The word “careless” is the opposite of “careful.” It refers to a lack of necessary care and attention. The Danites quickly displaced the people of Laish due to their carelessness. The Danites likely noticed Laish had a porous border, allowing anyone to enter or exit freely. In the year 2025, be mindful of your life and destiny. For example, a baby playing with sharp objects may get hurt. This kind of carelessness arises from a lack of understanding of sharp objects’ dangers. In other instances, some individuals may be aware of the risks but act carelessly. For example, a person who drinks and drives may be knowledgeable about the dangers, yet their desire for alcohol can overshadow that understanding.

In 2025, do not allow any desire or ignorance to make you live a careless life. First, you must not be careless about your relationship with God. God is the same yesterday, today and forever more. He does not change, and this makes nothing to catch him unawares. We are so privileged that God is mindful of us, and the first evidence that we are not careless is that we humans are also cognizant of him.

 

How to be Mindful of God

1. Come into a relationship with Jesus, the very image of God. Without Jesus Christ in your life, you are careless about God (John 14:23).
2. You are careless if you do not make daily quiet time a habit. Quiet time is a time to pray and study God’s word. Online prayer meetings are not quiet time; they are mere supplements. The family altar/ prayer is not quiet time. Quiet time is a time that you spend alone with God without the company of anyone (Matthew 6:6; Mark 1:35).
3. If you are already saved by the blood of Jesus and you continue to live in sin, you are careless about God (Romans 6:1; Galatians 5:13).
4. If you are saved with the blood of Jesus and you are not winning souls, you are careless about God (Mark 16: 15-16).
5. If you are saved and are not committed to a local church, you are careless about your relationship with God (Hebrews 10:25).
6. If you are in a local church and are not committed to serving in a group or unit, you are careless about your relationship with God (Luke 10:41-42). You must balance this very well; serving in a unit that does not allow you to fully participate in the service as you should make you a Martha. A church service cannot run without Martha’s role (serving in God’s house); hence, efforts must be made to later listen to the word of God. While I was a children’s Sunday School teacher at the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry, it was a policy that after children workers were done, we listened to the sermon of the Sunday. This makes us a Mary (Someone who gives attention to God’s word)
7. If you are not concerned about unsaved relations, coworkers and friends around you, you are careless about your relationship with God (I Timothy 2:4).
8. If you are given to anger and wrath, you are careless about your relationship with God (Matthew 5:22; Ecclesiastes 7:9).
9. If you wait until you have bad dreams before you engage in fasting, prayer, and vigils, you are careless about your relationship with God (Ephesians 6:18). The core of prayer should be that you are conforming to the image of Christ ( Philippians 3:10)
10. If you are not supporting the work of God with your substance, you are careless about your relationship with God (Philippians 4:16).
11. If you participate in church or kingdom gossip, you are careless about your relationship with God (Leviticus 19:16).
12. If you believe that you are the only one God is dealing with right in the body of Christ while others are wrong, you are careless about your relationship with God (Romans 14:1-23).
13. If you prefer accusation to intercession and expect negative things to happen to those you disagree with, you are careless about your relationship with God (Hebrews 7:25).
14. If you believe everything must be said and don’t bridle your mouth, you are careless about your relationship with God (Psalm 34:13; Colossians 3:9).
15. If you believe heaven is the real place after the earth, but your life is not pleasing God here on earth, you are careless about it (Ephesians 4:1).

 

 

Neglecting your relationship with God can lead to various losses in life—spiritually, emotionally, and even in practical matters. It’s essential to take time for self-reflection and recognize the areas where you may have been careless or distant in your faith. Consider what specific aspects of your life could use more attention and dedication.

 

Spend quality time in prayer, bringing these concerns before God. Share your feelings of regret and your desire to deepen your commitment to Him. Ask for guidance and strength to make positive changes, and seek His wisdom on cultivating a more intentional and mindful relationship with Him moving forward. This repentance and dedication can help restore your focus and strengthen your faith.