| Christian Life and Doctrine | November 1964 |
Spiritual Alertness
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” —I Corinthians 10:12
THOSE who have accepted the call to take up their cross and follow the Master enjoy a position of special favor with the Heavenly Father. The Scriptures indicate that there is a very special requirement which we must meet in order to maintain this position, a requirement which Paul describes in our text as taking “heed.” To take heed means to give attention, to observe carefully, to watch, to be vigilant. It means to “stop, look, and listen” in our spiritual affairs, that we may know of the dangers ahead and be prepared to cope with them.
Our text indicates that the need for our taking heed is that we may not “fall,” or lose our standing before our Heavenly Father. That there is a danger of the Lord’s people thus falling from divine grace is indicated by the words of the Psalmist, who wrote, “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.” (Ps. 91:7) This assurance indicates that those who do not fall are those that dwell “in the secret place of the most High,” and have made his truth their “shield and buckler.”
No one could fall away from a standing before the Lord unless he had at one time enjoyed such a standing. So it is important to have clearly in mind just what it means to “stand,” if we are intelligently to take heed lest we fall. The Scriptures outline our position of favor before the Lord from various standpoints, all of them vitally important. Philippians 4:1 reads, “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” To stand fast in the Lord means to be trusting in the merit of his shed blood; and, through full consecration and immersion of our wills into God’s will, to be counted as members of the anointed company of which Christ is the Head.
What a blessed standing this is! It implies and requires humility in recognizing our need of the saving grace of God through the shed blood of his beloved Son. It calls for the full and unqualified devotion of our wills to the doing of the divine will. To take heed in maintaining this standing means a daily searching of our hearts to make sure that we have no cross-grained will of our own that is in opposition to the will of God as it is expressed through our Head, Christ Jesus.
In the Faith
To maintain our standing in the Lord calls for a standing along other lines also. Again Paul wrote, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (I Cor. 16:13) The faith in which we are to stand is “the faith once delivered unto the saints.” This faith has been almost entirely lost sight of by nominal churchianity. This is the faith that was first of all delivered to Abraham, and then to Isaac and Jacob, and to all the prophets. (Gal. 3:8) The central theme of this faith is the messianic hope of a future kingdom to bless all nations, and God’s high calling to the Christian to be a joint-heir with Christ in that kingdom.—Gal. 3:16,27-29; Phil. 3:14; Rom. 8:17
Are we standing fast in that faith? Or has it become a mere tale which has become old and uninteresting? Paul indicates that it will require strength to stand in the faith. “Quit you like men, be strong,” he says. It has always required courage to stand in the pure faith of the Gospel. This is manifested by the rapid “falling away” that occurred after the apostles fell asleep in death. It was not long before the pure doctrines of the truth were corrupted, and those who were seeking comfort were fed on pagan philosophy and oriental mysticism. We should always remember that if we want to dwell close to the Lord in our spirit of fellowship we must be enthusiastic about his plan, and spend our energy where he is working. This is possible only if we stand fast in the faith once delivered to the saints.
In Liberty
To stand in the Lord also means to stand in the liberty of Christ. Paul wrote: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Gal. 5:1) Here the contrast is between liberty in Christ and bondage to the Law. But the principle of liberty in Christ extends beyond freedom from the Law. To stand in the liberty of Christ means to have liberty to do everything that Christ would have us do. Liberty in Christ means bondage to Christ. We are bond slaves to him. Such bondage to Christ means that we cannot be subject to the will of man—not even our own will. If we find ourselves in restraint to the will of man, and thereby held back from saying and doing the things which we know to be pleasing to God and to Christ, then we are not wholly standing fast in the liberty of Christ.
In One Spirit
Philippians 1:27 reads, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” There is a remarkable blending of important Christian principles set forth in these words. The apostle urges that we stand fast in one spirit, not by compromising the truth, but by striving together in its defense. The “one spirit” in which we are to stand fast is the spirit of the truth. How can we stand together in the spirit of the truth unless we strive together for the truth? This does not mean standing together in all the petty theories one or another of us might have. The reference is to the great fundamentals of our faith. To stand fast in these requires courage and the strength of the Lord. We must be “strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”—Eph. 6:10
Danger Signals
There are various danger signals by which we may be fore-warned of an impending fall. These signals are readily discernible if we are alertly taking heed. One of these is the spirit of pride. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall,” the Holy Spirit testifies. (Prov. 16:18) How easy it is for the spirit of pride to enter into our hearts, causing us to be haughty and self-important! The spirit of humility engenders meekness, gentleness, teachableness, patience, and forbearance. How important it is that we do not think of ourselves “more highly than we ought to think.”—Rom. 12:3
Another danger signal is indifference toward the truth. The truth is God’s voice speaking to his people; and if we are to maintain our standing before him, how alert we should be to listen to his voice. And how attentive and how obedient we should be to the message! Yes, our standing before the Lord depends upon our obedience to his truth, for it is by the truth that we are sanctified.—John 17:17
Satan would have us believe that to stand in the Lord is one thing, and that to stand in the truth is something else. He would like to have us believe that it does not make any difference where we stand with respect to the truth, so long as we feel that we love the Lord. But this is false theology. It is one of “the wiles of the Devil” by which he is endeavoring to draw us away from the Lord by causing us to lose our appreciation of the glorious message of truth—that message through which he speaks to us and guides us in the narrow way. (Eph. 6:11,12) Let us continue to cherish the truth and feed upon it, that we may grow strong in the Lord, so strong that we will not fall because we have made the truth our shield and buckler.
The spirit of bitterness and hatred is another danger signal which should be readily discerned by those who are properly taking heed. These unholy manifestations of evil are the very opposite of the spirit of love, which is the Spirit of God. To permit their entrance into our hearts, and to harbor them will sooner or later result in the complete fall of the new creature, the complete loss of his standing in Christ Jesus. Let us take heed in this respect by rooting out quickly and diligently, through prayer, every thought of bitterness from our hearts, and seek to be filled with and controlled by the spirit of love.
Nor should we permit the spirit of the world to take control of our hearts and lives. The spirit of the world is the spirit of self-seeking, of the ambition to shine before others, of vainglory. (Gal. 5:26; Phil. 2:3) In short, it is the spirit of selfishness, which is the spirit of the Devil. We should take heed that this spirit does not possess us. If we should find the spirit of the world beginning to encroach upon our minds and hearts we should recognize it as a danger signal of pitfalls and snares ahead which might well bring about our fall from steadfastness before the Lord. Let us endeavor to be so filled with the spirit of the Lord, and so occupied with the things of the spirit, that there will be no time or place for the spirit of the world to gain even the slightest entrance into our lives.
How Not to Fall
The Apostle Peter gives us a splendid formula by which we may keep from falling. He reminds us of the precious promises upon which our hope for the divine nature is based, and indicates that these promises are the groundwork of our faith. Then he bids us add to our faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly-kindness, and love. “For if these things be in you and abound,” Peter continues, “they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” And then the climax of the lesson, “If ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”—II Pet. 1:4-11
When the Bible speaks of the Lord’s people falling from divine favor, it means more than mere stumbling. In a sense we stumble every time we make a mistake, and no one is free from making mistakes. Because of fleshly imperfections we all stumble and blunder more or less as we walk in the narrow way. But if our hearts are pure before the Lord he will watch over us, and his everlasting arms will be under us to bear us up and start us out afresh every time we stumble because of our fleshly weaknesses. From this standpoint, as Solomon wrote, “A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.”—Prov. 24:16
How We Hear
Jesus said that we should “take heed how we hear.” (Luke 8:18) Do we hear the message merely as one which satisfies our curiosity, or do we recognize, as we should, that the hearing of. the truth has brought responsibility? Do we recognize that we are to be doers of the Word, as well as hearers? (James 1:22) We are to be sanctified by the truth. (John 17:17) This sanctifying work of the truth is twofold. Through its precepts we are to be more and more conformed to the high standards of righteousness and godliness set forth in the Word. And then these transformed lives are to be devoted to the service of God, as directed by the truth. We are in the school of Christ to learn and apply the truth in our lives so that we may be equipped to serve as “ambassadors for Christ” now; and through faithfulness to the divine will, be found worthy to serve in the future work of the kingdom as joint-heirs with Christ.—II Cor. 5:20; Rom. 8:17
If we hear the truth with appreciation, our love for it will be demonstrated by the amount of energy we exert to defend and promote it. Has our hearing of the truth been so inspiring that we are willing to die “for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God”? (Rev. 20:4) If we thus take heed as to how we hear the truth, then each day will find us busily engaged in using the truth to the divine glory, in proportion to our talents and opportunities. Failing in this proper appreciation of the truth, we become more or less subject to the deceptive influences of the Adversary by which he is endeavoring to bring about our fall from divine favor.
“That No Man Deceive You”
Deception is a method frequently used by Satan to lead God’s people into his various snares and pitfalls, and he usually practices his deceptions through human agencies. Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matt. 24:4) This particular warning has to do with the truths pertaining to our Lord’s second presence and the end of the age. Certainly many of the Lord’s professed followers have been deceived along these lines. And Jesus reminds us that if it were possible the very elect would be deceived. But evidently this is not possible, and largely, no doubt, because they are the faithful ones who “take heed.”
The Apostle Paul also reminds us of the importance of taking heed lest we be deceived. We quote: “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” (Eph. 5:6) “Vain words” are those not in harmony with the plan and will of God, especially those words which appeal to human vanity. Flattery is one of Satan’s chief methods of deceit; and if we are properly taking heed we will be especially alert when we hear the voice of flattery appealing to us to turn to the right hand or to the left.
The warning, “Let no man deceive you,” reminds us of another apostolic warning. To the elders at Ephesus Paul said, “Of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:30) The deception of human leadership is perhaps one of the most subtle with which the saints of God have to cope. There is the constant temptation upon elders and teachers to become leaders of a little flock all their own. And there is also the willingness on the part of so many of the Lord’s people to be led into byways of special interpretations. It is so difficult to follow only the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.
In this respect the elders need specially to take heed, for their responsibility is great. To the elders at Ephesus, and to the elders today, Paul says, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Spirit hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28) Note that proper taking heed on the part of the elders means that they will “feed the church of God.” This is their privilege, their duty, but they are not to lord it over God’s heritage. Neither are they to assume headship in the church.
But all in the church should take heed what they are fed. We should not shift our individual responsibility onto the elders of the church. How much sorrow at times could be avoided if all the brethren in the church would take heed as a group to prevent, if possible, ambitious brethren from becoming leaders.
Taking heed on the part of the brethren as a whole implies also an insistence that all we accept as truth be well supported by a “thus saith the Lord.” Fanciful theories and high-sounding reasoning should not be permitted to carry weight in the minds and hearts of the people of God. Any idea that cannot be supported by the Scriptures, when the Word of truth is rightly divided, cannot have a sanctifying influence in our lives, but frequently may lead away from our appreciation of the glorious fundamental doctrines of the Word of God. Let us never be ashamed to ask for the scriptural proof of any ideas which are presented to us.
God’s Building
Paul says, “We are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”—I Cor. 3:9-13
The manner in which a Christian builds for the future, as a co-worker with God, is thus clearly outlined. First there must be the foundation of the ransom. Upon this must be built the super-structure of faith and character. And if we take heed how we build, and build as co-workers with God rather than along lines of our own choosing, our building will be capable of withstanding all the storms which are permitted to test us, and the fiery trials also, which “shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is.”
Departing from God
Hebrews 3:12 reads, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” The context here refers to the unbelief of the Israelites in the wilderness. That unbelief was manifested in their tendency to forget so quickly the many miracles which God had wrought on their behalf, and their disposition to turn away from him to the worship of other gods. Thus, through lack of appreciation, they departed from the living God.
Just what is our own attitude? Have God’s blessings which came to us through the truth become commonplace? Do we still keenly appreciate the miracle of his grace as it abounded, and still abounds toward us through Christ Jesus? Or have we permitted the trials of the way to mar the sweetness of God’s loving watchcare over us? Do we still hear the voice of God speaking to us through the truth, or are we listening to other voices—voices which may bid us walk in a way less narrow and in paths more pleasing to our flesh? Are we taking heed that we do not depart from the living God through failure to appreciate constantly the miracle of his truth revealed to us, counting as commonplace the fact that he has taken us into his confidence and given us eyes to see the secrets of his divine plan?
The Ministry
Colossians 4:17 reads: “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.” Paul seems to have realized that there would be a danger of our neglecting to be ministers, or servants, of the truth. And how easy it is to fall away from our steadfastness along this line! Satan is always active in his endeavor to draw us away from the ministry. But if we are properly taking heed we will recognize Satan’s cunning devices, his misleading sophistries, and not be affected by them.
Jesus, our Exemplar, came into the world to serve, to be a minister in the great work of reconciling a lost world to God. Our calling is to co-operate with him in this ministry, or service. Thus, no matter how faithful we may be in meeting all the other requirements of the truth, if we neglect the ministry we shall fall short of the very purpose of our calling. Let us, then, indeed take heed unto the ministry, that we “fulfill it.”
And in taking heed unto the ministry we have an important responsibility in connection with the manner in which we conduct our part therein. Paul wrote, “Giving no offense in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.” Much of the 6th chapter of Second Corinthians is a timely, heart-searching admonition, going into details concerning the things to which we should take heed, that the ministry be not blamed.
Purity of faith and practice, longsuffering, patience, love, self-sacrifice, and putting on of the armor of righteousness are among the things to which we should take heed if we are not to bring reproach upon the ministry. Separateness from temples of idols is another prerequisite which Paul mentions. There are hideous creed idols now enshrined in the various temples of nominal churchianity. The pageantry of outward show in these temples is alluring to the devotional instincts of some of the Lord’s people. But let us remember that these temples are defiled by their blasphemous creeds; that the demon god of their creeds is not our God; that our God bids us to “come out from among them, … and touch not the unclean thing,” with the promise that he will receive us.—II Cor. 6:17; Isa. 52:11; Rev. 18:4
“Be ye clean,” Isaiah writes, “that bear the vessels of the Lord.” (Isa. 52:11) These “vessels” contain the pure water of the Lord’s truth. And how vital it is that these vessels be kept clean in order that those who drink therefrom may be truly refreshed with the living waters of the Word of God, refreshed with the glorious knowledge that “God is love.” Only as we minister the pure truth of the divine plan can we hope to have God’s blessing upon our ministry.
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (I Tim. 4:16) In this admonition to Timothy we have a summary of all that is involved in our taking heed lest we fall. It means to take heed to ourselves in every way, and to take heed to the doctrines of the truth. To take heed unto ourselves, and to the doctrines, and to continue in them means to understand and believe the doctrines, to defend the doctrines, and to be guided by them in our own Christian conduct and ministry.