Martin Wickens

Speaking the Truth in Love

Take Heed #1! A Warning About Forgetting

Martin

As Moses prepared to relinquish his position as leader of the twelve tribes of Israel, twelve tribes only recently formed into a nation, he had many vital lessons for them. In Deuteronomy we find many of them, and I think some of the most vital lessons he precedes with “take heed”! Seven times we find those two words in this book and over the next few weeks I will be teaching on them in our Wednesday night service. The first one we looked at last week.

 

“Take Heed” means to observe, to hedge about with thorns, protect or guard. So by taking heed there is the idea of observing certain truths and in so doing, protect themselves from dangers.

 

1. Protect Yourself from Forgetting

 

Deu 4:9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;

The first occasion of this phrase could serve as a capstone for them all – take heed to thyself… lest thou forget!
The writer of Proverbs, in 4:23, gives a saying that complements this well, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Our heart, the seat of our intelligence, emotions and will, must be guarded at all costs! If we take heed and keep our souls, if we guard our hearts, then we will avoid so many of the dangers from the enemy and live a life that honours God. It reminds me of the exhortation of Paul to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:”
The Good Minister should take heed unto himself, unto his doctrine, and the Good Minister reminds the flock among whom he serves. In 1 Timothy 4:6 we read, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ”
So, how do we take heed to ourselves, keep our souls, our hearts, diligently, and take heed to our doctrine? Here are a few ideas:
  • Memorize Scripture
  • Memorize good music
  • Talk with others about the Lord
  • Pray without ceasing
  • Be in church
  • Listen to sermons
  • Read Godly literature

 

God help us to take heed, to take heed diligently, without fail and without stumbling, and in so doing bring glory to His name.

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