Barbara Latta
Jesus told His followers multiple times to take heed against Satan’s devices because the fallen spirit’s only goal is the deception of mankind. He emulates truth and appears as an angel of light.
The Lord’s instructions included awareness about some deceptions we should take heed of.
Self-Righteousness
Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (Mark 8:15)
Most members of the Sanhedrin were more concerned about their positions and power than seeking truth. They didn’t see their own sin; rather; they saw themselves as better than others. As leaders of Israel they should have been pointing people to God instead of placing more legalistic rules upon the population.
Not Listening
But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. (Mark 13:23)
Jesus repeated His teachings to the disciples many times because they just didn’t seem to get it the first time (Matthew 11:15). They were preoccupied with other issues and didn’t perceive the meaning of what He said. They were guilty of this listening faux pas about His death and resurrection.
We can be guilty of a life too burdened with busyness that prevents our total absorption of what God says. Not listening can be the cause of some of the chaos in our lives because we didn’t take the time to adhere to instructions.
Covetousness and Greed
And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. (Luke 12:15)
Placing priority on the Lord will guard us against greed and covetousness. We fall into these snares when we look to what others have that we don’t. We compare ourselves and feel like we fall short. Human nature is never satisfied (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
Unforgiveness
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times a day returns to you, saying ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him. (Luke 17:3-4)
Forgiveness is mentioned eighteen times in the New Testament. This shows us how important releasing debts against others is to God. We are forgiven by the Lord because of what Christ did for us (Colossians 3:13). We don’t have an expiration date or number on forgiving wrongs done to us because the Lord continues to show us how He has forgiven us.
Fleshly Pleasures
But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. (Luke 21:34)
We are told to walk in the Spirit, and we won’t fall into the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Believers are given a new nature, but we still have a soul and body that haven’t been redeemed yet. Our battle is in the mind and emotions; that’s why Jesus told us to take heed against those feelings. If we let our hearts become weighed down with those desires, we are ripe for falling into temptation.
If we pursue a diligent life through the Word and follow our Lord’s instructions, we will be free from the misery delusion can bring to us. His presence strengthens our souls against temptation and against the wrong desires of our own flesh.
(2 Peter 1:3-4) tells us we have been given everything we need for life and godliness. When we understand what we have been given through Christ we can recognize the bait Satan dangles in front of us.
