Take heed

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. – Acts 20.28-31

Though Paul's instructions here were primarily to the elders his advice is good for any believer. 'Pay close attention to yourselves and to all the flock.'

He then gives them a warning. You are going to be under attack from wolves on the outside and men who speak perverse things on the inside in an attempt to draw away the disciples.

'Therefore watch.'

Here we have a clear warning that we are not going to make it in our Christian walk if we don’t keep our guard up. It reminds me of the verse in Proverbs that says 'keep your heart with all diligence.'

We cannot afford to just coast through our Christian lives. We cannot afford to let things come as may. We cannot afford to be tossed about with every new wave of teaching or blown about with every ‘new doctrine.’ We can’t afford to be passive about Bible teaching preaching and Bible study and reading.

Pay attention. Remember that there are enemies without and within. Watch. Remember the warnings.

This is good advice for us all.