Take Heed (1)

To heed is to listen to, take notice, or give regard.  It is to beware.  The Lord admonishes us to take heed for many different reasons; four times in Matthew alone.

Jesus said, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matt. 6:1).  We are to do good works for the sake of helping others, not honoring ourselves.  If we do it to receive the praise of men, Jesus said we have our reward, earthly praise—at the expense of heavenly treasure.  However, if we do it out of a genuine heart, one that seeks to bless others, then our “Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matt. 6:4).

Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6).  After some upbraiding by the Lord, the disciples understood this to mean to beware “of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matt. 16:11).  So, Jesus tells us to be on guard when it comes to the doctrines of men.  When we follow them, our worship is vain and we will fall into the ditch (Matt. 15:7-14).  In other words, our souls will be lost if we follow the “leaven” of men.  We wonder why some people are anemic to this part of the Lord’s teaching.  They do not want to be warned and become upset when others warn them, especially if it includes naming the ones promoting the error.  Yet, Jesus said to take heed of the “Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

Jesus said, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 18:10).  This was said in the midst of a lesson on the character of those who would be citizens of the kingdom of God—those who are humble and submissive.  God is very serious about despising His children.  Our human eyes may not see the value and worth of them, but God does.  He sees that they have a soul; one that was bought with the blood of the Lamb.  If we look down on His children, we will give an account for it in the Day of Judgment.

Jesus said, “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matt. 24:4).  This is very similar to His warning in Matthew 16:6.  The context is Jesus comments on the temple; that it would be destroyed.  He is warning His disciples not to get caught up in the hype of the tumultuous times surrounding the fall of Israel once and for all.  Many rumors would be flying around and they were not to be carried away by them.  The same is true today.  The various natural disasters, political unrest, and wars taking place over the past few years have made people jittery.  The televangelists have had a field day getting people anxious over what is “imminent.”  Thankfully, we do not need to be so disturbed.  Yes, the Lord is coming.  However, He said we do not know when (Matt. 24:36-44).  Rather, by living a faithful life every day, we have the calm assurance that when He does return, He will take us home with Him (1 Thes. 4:13-18).

It is wise for us to take heed to the words of Jesus.

That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 1:9

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Worship In The Age of Showbusiness
By Dan Chambers