Our text is found in one of the outstanding experiences of the Apostle Paul as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. He is on his way to Rome. He had asked the Christians here to pray for him (Romans 15:30-31). God gave him a safe journey, but it was a rough one. The apostle had begged the sailors before they started on the voyage saying that the sailing would be dangerous and that it might be better to cast the anchor for the time being. “Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.” (Acts 27:11). Against the protests of Paul, the vessel put out from port, and Paul’s advice not heeded.
Paul was one of those men who lived in close contact with God. He had the mind of God. Such a man should not only be listened to but also heeded. The vessel had not gone far until it met the storm. It was not long until everything was shipwrecked. This is the story of a soul going its own way against the plain will of God. Let us notice some warnings:
I. Beware of Satan’s South Winds “And when the south wind blew softly…” (Acts 27:13). It was very seductive. It blew so softly that those in command of the vessel thought that there was no danger. This is the devil’s way of enticing a soul to Hell. His ways are smooth, cunning, and sly. He often uses the south wind of prosperity to lead a soul slowly away from God and a desire for spiritual things. Prosperity, in its mildest form, can be a dangerous thing in the life of an uncoverted man. The Lord Jesus said, “… How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23). Few rich people are saved. The Bible gives many warnings about the danger of riches, even to the extent of saying, “…the love of money is the root of all evil…” (1 Timothy 6:10). The natural man grabs gold instead of God. Beware of the south wind of honour, worldly friendships, and pleasures. They all quietly allure the soul away from God and the Gospel. Satan’s wind blows softly at first, but when he gets a soul under his control, then the wind becomes tempestuous. Hear the warning: Beware of Satan’s sound winds that blow softly.
II. Beware of Relying on Supposition “…supposing that they had obtained their purpose…” (Acts 27:13). They supposed that they were getting along nicely. Let us not rest our eternal destiny on a mere supposition when you can have the sure Word of God. Beware of merely “feeling safe” when you are not safe at all. Let not your confirmation, baptism, church membership, generosity, or personal virtues hold you back from experiencing the transforming power of regeneration that comes to the human heart when one believes the Gospel. Let us not rely on “a mere supposition,” but let us rest our souls on the inerrant Word of God that brings certainty and satisfaction. Every New Testament writer speaks very dogmatically about the necessity of conversion. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (1 John 5:12). Examine your heart now before the Lord and make certain that you have the life of God in your soul.
III. Beware of Self-Will “…supposing that they had obtained their purpose…” (Acts 27:13). Every man by nature desires “his own way.” “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man…” (Proverbs 14:12). While the south wind was blowing softly, these sailors felt they were floating along nicely toward their destination. They thought they were perfectly all right; they did not feel any danger around them, nor did they fear any danger ahead of them. Our wills are only ours to yield to the Almighty God. Do not allow self-will to carry you off the course that would lead to salvation through the cross of Jesus Christ.
IV. Beware of Feeling Safe When You Are Only Close to Safety. “…they sailed close by Crete” (Acts 27:13). Many a soul is very near salvation, but in that condition they are lost. Let us not deceive ourselves by thinking that we can disobey God a little and be safe. This is a device of Satan, and it may seem all right, but it is not. Agrippa said, “…Almost thou persuades me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). The reason he was not a Christian was that he was “almost a Christian.” Almost being a Christian does not make a man a Christian. There was safety for the people of Noah’s day in being near the door of the ark. The only safe place was “inside the ark,” and man’s only refuge is in Christ, not merely near Christ. Millions of people in our so-called Christian America are not Christians because they are “almost Christians.” They have affiliated themselves with everything that has to do with Christianity but Christ. They have never put their trust in Him.
V. Beware of Consequences Acts 27:14 opens with some very simple words, and there are only four of them, “But not long after…” Dangers are not always seen from the position where we stand. The sailors did not see the danger. Paul had warned them of it, but they refused to hear and heed his warning. Judgment for disobeying God does not always come at once.
Beware of the “…not long after…” “…whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Beware of the devil’s south wind! Make sure you have anchored your soul in the Rock, Christ Jesus our Lord.