Beware
There are plenty of examples of things that I need to beware of. We are living in a “post-pandemic” world now and there seems to be a bit of a backlash of the virus coming back. We are advised to beware of people, gatherings, situations to guard our health.
I think awareness is underrated in our world. I often meander through life without much thought about things that could harm me or even help me. I am friends with people in law enforcement and they are always very aware of their surroundings. They have practiced this for so long, I hardly notice anymore, but I’m very confident that they see things and certain people in the restaurant that I hardly notice.
Beware is a warning that maybe I’m not paying close attention. Jesus used this word to instruct His followers to watch the religious leaders and teachers. Check this out…
5 Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7 At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread.8 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? 9 Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? 10 Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? 11 Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”
12 Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:5-12 NLT)
Truth can sometimes get “watered down” or diluted by deceit or simple lies. I believe that truth is absolute, and it cuts through tradition and add-ons. I have been misled by what “appeared to be the truth”.
I think that churches and Christ-followers sometimes stray from the truth. I think it’s when other influences from culture come into play that we often dilute or even change our view of truth. I have decided to go to the Word of God and seek truth. I believe the Lord speaks truth into me through His Word. I believe He speaks truth to others, but I must use great caution when hearing the truth from a source other than God’s Word because it comes through personal filter of life and experiences.
I want to consistently seek truth from the heart of God, the Father. I want to be still and hear the Holy Spirit speak directly to my soul. I want to walk with Jesus through my every day normal life and reflect His Presence in how I live. I want to be aware and notice truth.
Pressing On!
Dwayne