I first shared this wasabi story as a Sunday School lesson with my sweet elementary kids at church. They laughed right along with me, eyes wide with amusement and a little secondhand panic. But as we dug into the lesson together, the connection became clear to them.
Their young hearts grasped the lesson quickly: we need to be watchful, and we need each other to help us stay on the right path. And honestly, if kids can get this lesson, then we, as adults, should take it to heart as well.
🔹 How often do we mistake sin for something harmless?
🔹 How easy is it to go along thinking we’re making a good choice, only to realize too late that we’ve taken in something destructive?
I will never forget the moment my friend mistook wasabi for guacamole. It was his first time eating out at a sushi restaurant, and I was thrilled to introduce him to the experience. We were chatting away, enjoying the atmosphere, when he grabbed a generous scoop of what he assumed was that creamy, mild-mannered avocado goodness and popped it into his mouth.
Time slowed. His face shifted from confident to confused, then to pure, unfiltered panic. His eyes bulged. A sweat broke out on his forehead. He gasped for air, desperately gulping down his water as the fiery heat of the wasabi ambushed his unsuspecting taste buds.
I did what any good friend would do—I burst out laughing. Finally, between my own gasps (of laughter, not wasabi), I managed to warn him, “Dude, that wasn’t guacamole.”
The Danger of Mistaking the Wrong Thing
Wouldn’t it have been kinder if I had warned him before he ate? Shouldn’t I have pointed out the difference between guacamole and wasabi instead of assuming he knew? I saw him going in for the bite, and yet I stayed silent. I should have paid attention.
Hebrews 3:12-19 gives us a similar warning, though with far greater consequences than a mouthful of wasabi. The passage exhorts us as believers to be watchful, lest we fall into the same mistakes as those who hardened their hearts against God. It calls us to exhort one another daily, to encourage and warn each other so that we do not drift into unbelief and disobedience:
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12-13)
What Does It Mean to “Exhort” One Another?
There’s a reason the author of Hebrews uses the word “exhort.” It’s not just about encouragement in a soft, feel-good way. Exhortation is a call to action—a serious, heartfelt urging, like grabbing someone’s arm before they walk into traffic or, in my friend’s case, stopping them before they eat something that will make them regret every life choice leading up to that moment.
Sin Doesn’t Always Look Dangerous
Sin is deceitful. It doesn’t always look dangerous. Sometimes, it looks like guacamole—harmless, even appealing. But left unchecked, it can harden our hearts, making us resistant to God’s voice and leading. That’s why we need each other. We need faithful friends and fellow believers to call us out, to challenge us in love, and to keep us from swallowing something we’ll regret later.
A Warning from the Israelites
Hebrews 3 points to the Israelites as a warning. Despite seeing God’s miracles firsthand, they allowed their hearts to grow hard. They grumbled, doubted, and ultimately missed out on entering God’s rest. Their story stands as both a warning and an invitation:
Will we follow their example of unbelief, or will we trust God fully?
The Role of Parents and Mentors
This is where community—and especially discipleship within families—matters. Parents, grandparents, and mentors have a crucial role in guiding the next generation. When we take the time to teach, to warn, and to lovingly correct, we help keep young hearts tender toward God. Just as I shared this lesson with my Sunday School kids, you have opportunities every day to shape the faith of those around you.
Practical Ways to Exhort One Another
✅ Stay connected. Isolation is fertile ground for unbelief. Stay in the Word, stay in prayer, and stay connected with godly friends who will challenge and encourage you.
✅ Speak truth in love. Exhortation isn’t about shaming people—it’s about guiding them toward life-giving truth. Be the friend who warns gently but clearly.
✅ Be humble enough to receive it. We all have blind spots. When someone exhorts us, let’s resist defensiveness and instead consider how God might be using them to grow us.
✅ Make it a daily habit. The passage says to exhort one another “every day.” Who can you encourage today? Who might need a word of truth spoken in love? ❤️
A Call to Love and Action
The call to exhort one another is a call to love one another deeply. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s always necessary. Let’s be people who don’t sit back and watch as our brothers and sisters stumble. Let’s step in, speak up, and point each other to Christ—
…Before we make regrettable choices
…Before our hearts grow cold
…Before we fall into unbelief.
Who Can You Encourage Today?
- Who in your life needs encouragement today?
- Who might need a loving nudge toward faithfulness?
- Parents and grandparents, how can you intentionally guide the young hearts in your life?
Let’s be intentional in lifting each other up in truth and grace. And you know what? If this post encouraged you, share it with a friend—because we all need a little exhortation and a good laugh along the way!
As always, I appreciate your thoughts and comments. Leave a note below and be sure to join the mailing list and stay in touch!
Current Bible Study/Podcast Series: “Joshua: Strong & Courageous” – January-April, 2025
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