Earnest heed is a term used in the bible In Hebrews 2:1. It is a phrase to indicate a matter that needs serious attention. The Greek word earnest means to do abundantly or more frequently. We are to watch for danger as we walk circumspectly. The Greek word for heed means to hold the mind. This indicates a deliberate action where we adhere to applying ourselves because we have a regard for it. There are many things in life we show earnest heed to because of the consequences that occur if we do not. For instance, if we do not show earnest heed to taking our medication we will not get well. If we do not show earnest heed to traffic laws, we could suffer from a wreck. We need to pay attention to these things because we see imminent danger. Yet, there is an earnest heed that the writer of Hebrews warns us about, and it has far greater consequences than illness or a wrecked car. Here the writer is warning us to take heed to our salvation.
This written warning in verse 1 has a consequence if we don’t take heed. We can let it slip away. I know that goes against the teaching that we cannot do anything to lose our salvation. Some say it’s as sealed as if we were already in Heaven, yet this warning is here and in other places in scripture. He goes on to say in verse 2 that if the word spoken by angels was steadfast and all transgressions and disobedience were punished, then, as it states in verse 3, how do we think we shall escape if we neglect our salvation? Angels were God’s messengers in the Bible. The words spoken were just as true as if God were standing before us today.
Hebrews 2:1-3 “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.”
This stern warning is for Christians. It is easy for us to take the grace of God for granted and get lax in our spiritual growth. We are to be pursuing God in everything and seeking His will not our own. When we begin to compromise and do our own thing we break down the closeness we should have in Christ. We begin to filter our actions and attitudes through our own justification, and soon, we are on slippery ground. We edit our conscience to fit our thinking, and at this point, we begin to be our own God. Our hearts become cold and seared over as Paul speaks to Timothy in I Timothy 4:1. Here again is a warning of people departing from the faith. They begin with listening to the wrong people and soon they are believing and speaking against what they once knew. Paul had already warned Timothy of making a shipwreck of his faith in I Timothy 1:18-19. He tells him to fight a good fight, to hold on to his faith, and to keep a good conscience because some have already made shipwreck of their faith. If it were not possible to make shipwreck of our faith, why would God include a warning against it?
I Timothy 4:1-2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”
I Timothy 1:18-19 “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.”
In a world where false teaching is rampant, we need to be well-educated in all the scriptures. God gave all of it for our profit. He inspired every word and none of it is idle words. We had a pastor in Virginia who used to say, “All means all, and that’s all means.” All scripture, according to II Timothy, is from God, and it is to teach us, reprove us, correct us, and instruct us on how to live a righteous life. If we study and earnestly heed all God has for us we will finish our course with joy and the reward of Heaven. We will finish hearing Him say as Jesus said in Matthew 25:23: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
II Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
For those who fail to take these earnest heeds as not serious, I ask, why? Why would you not pay close attention to your eternal life and where you will spend it? Why would you allow yourself to be deceived into believing that saying a prayer and living your life the way you want to would please God and allow you to spend eternity with Him? It does not make sense. If Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our GOD with everything in us, then why would we not take earnest heed and follow all that He tells us to do? I know we are not perfect and will not be until we reach Heaven, but we are to be striving to be like Jesus, and He is perfect. Don’t cheat yourself out of Heaven by believing the lies of the world. It matters to God that you believe and obey all of scripture. We must not neglect to study, pray, and obey. We are to pay diligent attention to our spiritual lives and cultivate a desire to be like Him. It is our place to obey, but it will be His place to judge in the end. Take earnest heed today!
Matthew 22:36-38 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”
My prayer. “Lord, convict me when I am not following close to you. Remind me often of the price you paid for my sins.
