Articles
Take Heed
In the New Testament, there are five Greek words translated as "take heed." One, as found in 1 Tim. 4:16 [ep-ekh-o], means "retain"; another one is found in Luke 11:35 [skop-eh-o], and means "take aim at; regard"; another is found in Acts 20:28 [pros-ekh-o], and means "pay attention to"; another is found in Luke 8:18 [blep-o], and means "look at"; and the fifth is found in Luke 12:15 [hor-ah-o], and means "to discern." No matter which word is used, though, the clear meaning of the writer or speaker was to get the audience to take note of something, to make a serious examination of whatever it was, and to remember it well — for their own good.
The phrase is found about 50 times in the Bible, with most of them admonitions to individuals or groups of people who were being warned about failing to “take heed” to something that should have been recognized as an important matter. The phrase is one meant to get the hearer to pay closer attention that they might make a proper discernment, to remember those things for their good then, and for future reference.
Though this particular phrase is found only about 50 times in Scripture, let us not overlook the fact that the entirety of Scripture is meant as one, big “take heed” to all of mankind; this is, after all, God's revelation of His eternal purpose (cf. Eph. 3:11), necessitated by the fact “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23). He has given us the written word to warn us not to continue walking in the ways of the world lest we face His wrath in the final Judgment. It would be wise for all to "discern' the meaning and application of those words, to "pay attention to" those words, to "regard" them seriously, and to "retain" those words in our hearts that we do not forget.
Because we do not have the space to address each of the particular warnings to “take heed,” let us consider just a few for today, and why these admonitions are so important even today.
Take Heed How You Hear. (Luke 8:18) In the context, Jesus had said, “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:16, 17). He then adds, “Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him” (Luke 8:18). The admonition is one we would do well to heed, too!
Especially in this country, we have abundant opportunities to hear God's word, and we have easy access to it. Bibles are easily obtained, so we cannot say we didn't know. For that reason, we must take heed how we hear; there is a difference in how one hears God's word!
Do we hear God's word to simply find fault, as some did with Jesus when He walked this Earth (cf. Luke 11:53, 54)? If so, God's word does us no good because we hear only enough to justify our unbelief. Do we hear God's word only so far as it pleases us? If so, then we most likely will not listen long enough to hear convicting words, or of the need to turn from our sin. Do we hear God's word only when it agrees with what we already believe? If so, then we are not listening when it does not agree, and we will not be walking in the strait and narrow way.
Take heed how you hear!
Take Heed and Beware of Covetousness. (Luke 12:15) Once, a man came to Jesus, demanding He tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. After Jesus asked why the man thought He was some sort of arbitrator, He then warned, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” He then told the story of the foolish rich man, who laid up possessions for himself, and did not lay up treasures in heaven.
The warning to take heed and beware of covetousness is one that will never be unneeded. As long as there is a material world, men will be susceptible to “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16) and there will be those who desire more and more material things.
Paul warned against the inordinate desire for material things, especially money: “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:8-10). It is very easy to get caught up in a materialistic mindset where we begin to want more and more material things, thinking it will bring us happiness; we are bombarded with constant advertising that has that as its central message!
But, God's people must not succumb to the worldly enticements. Paul once warned the disciples to put away the earthly desires, naming “fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5). The overly-strong desire for more and more material things will lead us to elevate those material things to a position meant for God alone.
Take heed and beware of covetousness!
Take Heed to Not Fall. (1 Cor. 10:12) Paul, in his letter to those in Corinth, pointed back to the example of the Israelites who fell in the wilderness because of their unbelief, and then warned, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” The warning was one they needed, and one we still need to day, because we all too often look at the one who has been overtaken in sin and think, foolishly, "I would never do that."
Paul even exhorted the ones who were “spiritual” to, “in a spirit of gentleness,” restore the one overtaken in sin, but then admonished that one to do so, “considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). What is true today was true then: none of us is immune to temptation, and none of us can claim we are without sin — not even disciples (1 John 1:8, 10). It would be extremely foolish to work hard to bring back one who has fallen, only to think we would not ever even be tempted; that is when our enemy would make it his aim to bring us down!
Peter warned us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Pet. 5:8, 9). Let us not take this warning lightly, because our spiritual adversary is like that prowling lion, always looking for one who has separated himself from the herd [left the faithful], or the one who is weak [spiritually]. If we think we could "never" be that one whom he seeks, we must think again! If he would tempt even the Son of God (cf. Matt. 1:1-11), why would we think we would be exempt?
Take heed that you do not fall!
Friends and brethren, let us “take heed” to these things and more! If we truly desire eternal life in heaven, we must pay close attention to the path we walk, and to the dangers along the way. —— Steven Harper
