BEWARE ! ! ! ! !
Life is full of warnings. These warnings are provided for us for our own safety or for our benefit. Often the potential for danger is not readily apparent, so a sign, barrier or barricade is placed so that we hopefully become aware of the harm that can befall us and that we will take the correct evasive action. When we see the need to quickly warn someone of an unseen pending calamity, we are likely to shout: “Watch Out!” or something like that. Some warnings we observe, some we don’t. That seems to be part of human nature. Most folks don’t want to be told what to do or not to do. But when the things we are told are for our benefit, should we not take heed?
God has provided a number of warnings for man in His Word, all of which need to be heeded as He has given us these for our spiritual well-being. He too, has used a number of different ways to warn us as well as instruct us as to what to do and also what not to do. Unlike man, God does not place a sign in front of a place or action which is detrimental to us. He has used “Words”, His Word to warn us, guide us, direct us and to protect us.
In Acts 20:31 we read the Words the Spirit gave the apostle Paul to warn the Ephesian elders. He spent a great deal of time and effort in warning all of the Ephesian Christians. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Three years of error free instruction from the Spirit would contain the types of warnings they would need to remain faithful to God. They would be dealing with the same types of persecutions and temptations that came upon all Christians during that time.
These same elders were cautioned in Acts 20:28 as they were charged with “feeding” the congregation which they were to oversee. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. These presbyters needed to beware because vs 30 tells us that even some of them would stumble and fall. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
In the passages we have used, we have seen the Ephesians elders warned using the words “watch”, ”warn” and “take heed”. There are other passages that utilize these same terms. When one “watches” they are supposed to be alert, or on guard, which means that they are to be aware of the dangers around them.
In 1Corinthians 16:13 the Corinthian brethren were admonished to “beware” of the potential of falling. Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. This is much the same warning as was given earlier in the same letter. The words “take heed” are used in 1Corinthians 10:12 to warn these brethren. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
In addition to the Corinthians and the Ephesians being warned, other brethren have been informed by the Spirit about the problems and pitfalls the world would
put before them. In Colossians 2:8 we read the counsel provided to them so they would not be ruined by the world and what the world offers. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Even in this day we need to “heed” the warnings God has provided us in His Word. We cannot successfully overcome the temptations that are placed before us if we don’t read, study, and learn the Word of God. Just like the brethren in Corinth, we have been given a way of escape when we are tempted. They were told this in 1Corinthians 10:13. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. But, none of us can expect to escape these if we don’t “heed” His warnings and “watch” out for the dangers.
Another way we are told to “beware” and to be “watchful” is found in the warning we find in 1Peter 5:8-9 as well as why we need to be watchful, and that we are not the only ones receiving this warning. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Heed the warnings – Your soul’s destination depends on it.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
