Freak waves! Perhaps you have witnessed one first-hand. Also known as rogue waves, monster waves, episodic waves, killer waves, extreme waves, and abnormal waves. They are unusually large, unpredictable and suddenly appearing surface waves. Although a freak wave can be a spectacular sight to behold, it can potentially also be very dangerous. Even large ships at sea can be threatened by them.

Rogue waves are not necessarily the biggest waves found on the water; but that’s what makes them so dangerous; they can catch one by surprise because they happen when you least expect them. It is often too late for a ship to turn around, or for those on the shoreline to get out of the way.

When I lived in Africa, one of my favourite places to visit was the Robberg Nature Reserve, located in the Southern Cape. It boasts a peninsula with a little island which gets cut off during high tides. Its rugged beauty is nothing short of spectacular, with beautiful scenic trails. Because of its geography and location, there are big waves, and occasional freak waves that batter against the rocks, especially as you round the furthest point on the peninsula. Consequently, there are signs posted on these trails, warning hikers to take caution in certain areas.  However, people still get caught in incidents over there involving freak waves, is spite of the warning signs. Why is that?

I would not be surprised if curiosity is the number one cause. The sign that shouts ‘Danger! Beware of Freak Waves,’ triggers a mental dilemma for the hiker where he has to weigh up danger versus thrill, and in many cases, curiosity wins out. One might reason, “Well just exactly where does safe end and danger start?” It is somewhat of a grey area, isn’t it? Just how close can you go? Had the sign simply read, “No entry,” without mentioning “Freak Waves,” people would perhaps stay clear, but the fact that it mentions “Freak Waves” plays on one’s curiosity and acts like a magnet, doesn’t it?

We’ve all been in similar situations in our physical and spiritual lives. Sheer curiosity draws us closer and closer into grey areas, and ultimately into dangerous territory, and we stay there for longer and longer. Perhaps nothing happens this time, or the next time, or the next. But eventually we become Satan’s victim when we get caught by surprise.

So, what are spiritual grey areas? Think of it as spiritual mindsets, attitudes or actions that are neither safe nor outright dangerous, but which could easily turn fatal – spiritually speaking – if entertained. They are often difficult to recognise because there isn’t always a clear, discernible line that shows where ‘safe’ is and where ‘dangerous’ is, nor is there a hard barrier that keeps us from entering. The book of Proverbs warns us against venturing into grey areas:

Prov 4:26-27: Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

Yet, how often in our spiritual lives does curiosity cause us to stray to the left or the right and into grey areas, and eventually into dark territory without realising the danger we may find ourselves in? There’s always a freak wave on the way!

Remember that Satan is a deceiver. He makes his way look good and uses devices which we should not be ignorant of:

2 Cor 2:11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Satan’s world may appear wonderful and entertaining. It may seem safe and often inviting at times. But if we’re not careful, we can accidentally acquire some of the attitudes of this world – even in mild form – attitudes that he broadcasts, using the devices at his disposal.

Most often it is not a sudden leap into danger; we just slowly edge away from safety. We slowly become familiar with lying, violence, stealing, cheating or lusting. For example, do we knowingly watch controversial movies whose themes and story lines are questionable? In other words, they are full of grey areas! If the movie rating is M15+, that may be a warning sign, if it’s R18 it is definitely a warning sign! There is a freak wave on its way! Do we still go ahead and flirt with danger, or stay in the clear? Venturing into that grey area increases the odds of becoming hooked. Another example – just how dark does Friday evening have to get before you down homework/assignments/work/TV?

Satan understands human nature very well and he will play on our curiosity to get us further and further away from safety, and closer and closer and closer to danger. Don’t flirt with danger, keep straight paths for your feet and stay out of grey areas!