The expression ‘take heed’ has different meanings and interpretations, including: to pay careful attention to something; to watch out; to beware; to be on guard; to be cautious; to obey and so on. It is often used by the Lord whenever there is an impending danger.
There is no doubt that we live in a world where evil, wickedness, corruption, and the like constitute the order of the day. This world is inhabited by God’s children, as well as agents of Satan, even though the latter is described as the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
In other words, Satan is the controller of the affairs of this world. Thus, every child of God needs to ‘take heed’ in order to escape all the ‘fiery darts of the wicked’ (Ephesians 6:16b).
This explains why the Holy Bible is replete with instances of the phrase, ‘take heed’. For instance, 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, “Therefore, let him that thinks he stands take heed, lest he falls.” Irrespective of our level of anointing or spirituality, no individual must consider himself to be a spiritual superstar or giant.
This is because, a supposed spiritual giant is susceptible to satanic attacks and manipulations any time he lets down his guard or throws caution to the winds.
Little wonder, any man of God who is careless with his spiritual life can become an enemy of God tomorrow. This is very unfortunate, as I have come across a man who hitherto had been a preacher of the gospel of Christ, but now an enemy of the same gospel.
Read: Holy Spirit and Men: Turning The World Upside Down
This man’s spiritual life nosedived the moment he began to have an intimate relationship with some occultists. Ironically, this man used to preach to them in a bid to win them for Christ, but instead they won him for Satan, their master! Today, that same man has become an enemy of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
In like manner, a careless child of God can slide into the sin of immorality, idolatry, covetousness, witchcraft, jealousy, strife and so on, collectively referred to as ‘the works of the flesh’ (Galatians 5:19-21). Luke 21:34-36 cautions,
‘’And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be weighed down with carousing and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all of them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore and pray always that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.’’
Urgent need to take heed
The devil has a three-fold ministry: to steal, to kill and to destroy (John 10:10a). If given the opportunity, Satan will steal the peace, joy, health, sleep, finances, jobs, careers, and so on, of people.
Furthermore, Satan can destroy the life and destiny of any individual who lets down his guard. Accordingly, we must not be ignorant of the devices, craftiness and manipulations of our common adversary, the devil (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Satan is a master strategist and the chief tempter of humans. He can use anything that appeals to man to tempt or entice him. This can be a member of the opposite sex, food, money, alcohol, to mention a few.
Remember, the devil used the forbidden fruit to entice and entrap Eve at the Garden of Eden. Adam, who was not vigilant enough later partook in the eating of the same forbidden fruit. This singular indiscretion on their part attracted the wrath of God, which later affected the entire human race.
The blessings of taking heed
The Lord is pleased with us whenever we obey His word and commandments. These blessings of obedience, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28:2-13 include: fruitfulness, abundance of food supply, prosperity, divine protection, victory over enemies and many others.
Consequences of not taking heed
Several curses are pronounced in Deuteronomy 28:15-68 on those that refuse to take heed. Most of these curses are the exact opposite of the blessings enunciated earlier in the same Chapter. Above all, anyone who contravenes the word and commandments of God without repenting before his or her death, will be denied eternity in Heaven.
In summary, you must:
“Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
Charles is a minister of God, teacher, author of Christian books, ghost-writer, and editor. One of his books titled, ‘Wisdom: the pathway to greatness‘, is available on Amazon.
