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