When the National Weather Service (NWS) detects tornado conditions in most American cities, storm sirens will warn residents early. These early warning systems can save lives. We encounter warning systems, signs, and signals daily, from annoying smartphone notifications to flashing yellow lights urging us to slow down on the road. However, due to their abundance, it can be easy to overlook them. This principle also applies spiritually.
In the letter to the Hebrews, several passages warn of spiritual danger.
Warning #1: Avoid drifting from God
Hebrews 2:1 states, “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”
The author urges us to remain vigilant, and attentive to the teachings and truths we have received, to prevent spiritual drift. This is the first of several warnings in Hebrews designed to keep us grounded in our faith.
Warning #2: Beware of a Hard Heart
Hebrews 3:7-8 emphasizes, “Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, ‘TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.’”
The warning in Chapter 3 is clear: “Beware of a hard heart.” The author cautions these Jewish Christians not to fall into the pattern of drifting from God, which can lead to doubting and disbelieving Him through the hardening of their hearts.
To understand this warning fully, the author takes his audience back in time to consider the experiences of their ancestors, referring to Israel's history recorded in Psalm 95. We know the story. The Hebrews were delivered from slavery in Egypt, passing through the Red Sea, and headed for Canaan to take possession of the promised land. If you understand the journey, you know that had they taken a direct route across the Sinai Peninsula along a well-established trade route, the journey would’ve taken less than two weeks. But because of sin and the hardness of their hearts, the journey took 40 years (Numbers 14:33-34).
Neither a map, compass, nor GPS would’ve done the Hebrews any good because they had not simply lost sight of their route, they had lost sight of their God. Instead of having hearts softened by the unspeakable miracles God accomplished for them, they allowed their hearts to become hardened rather than be humbled. God wouldn’t tolerate their murmuring, rebellion, and complaining anymore. Numbers 14:2 tells us they cried out that they should have died in the wilderness or Egypt. God responded with an answer to their prayer:
“Just as you’ve spoken in my hearing so I will surely do to you. Your corpses will fall in this wilderness” – Numbers 14:28
The writer uses this warning to drive home a critical point.
When faced with trials and tribulations, we must be careful not to grow hard-hearted towards God (Hebrews 3:11).
Trials and temptations can cause us to lose sight of the enormous miracle of salvation. God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ and has promised to be with us no matter what we experience. The challenge is the heed the spiritual warnings in scriptures like Hebrews 3 and press on to spiritual maturity.
The author gives three insights essential for avoiding spiritual drift and growing hard-hearted.
Insight #1: Pay Attention to the Condition of Your Heart
Hebrews 3:12 warns, “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.”
Proverbs 4:23 in the New International Version (NIV) reads, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
Our hearts are the core of our spiritual lives, and their condition can determine our faithfulness to God.
Charles Spurgeon wisely noted, "Your heart is a reservoir from which your life flows; it needs to be maintained with utmost diligence."
Keeping our hearts tender and responsive to God is crucial for a vibrant spiritual life.
Insight #2: Stay Connected to the Body of Christ
Hebrews 3:13 urges, “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Staying connected to fellow believers is crucial in maintaining a soft heart towards God.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said,
"The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer." Regular fellowship and mutual encouragement help prevent the hardening of our hearts by sin’s deceitfulness.
Insight #3: Exercise Perseverance in Your Walk with God
Hebrews 3:14 reminds us, “For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.” Perseverance in our faith journey is essential to remain partakers of Christ.
"By perseverance, the snail reached the Noah’s ark. Perseverance in our faith ensures that we hold firm to the end, securing our relationship with Christ.” – Charles Spurgeon
Just like the warning sirens that alert us to physical danger, the warnings in Hebrews protect us from spiritual peril. By paying attention to the condition of our hearts, staying connected to the body of Christ, and exercising perseverance, we can heed these warnings and remain faithful in our walk with God.
Until Next Time, Stay Strong in the Lord!
Pastor Bob
About Pastor Bob Moya, DMin.
Pastor Bob Moya has served as the lead pastor with his wife Candace at City Chapel in Arlington, Texas for over 22+ years. He recently graduated with a doctorate degree in Spiritual Renewal and Leadership in the spring of 2024. When not serving at the church, you'll find Bob enjoying a good read at Barnes & Noble, sipping a nitro cold brew or black coffee from Starbucks, or spending time with his family.
Comments