Although not used in the same context, the only other time the words, take heed, appear together is found in the book of Acts: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). The writer, believed to be Luke, has preserved through his writing, the teachings of the apostle Paul to younger ministers. Again, Paul asks that they consider what they are doing in their roles as pastors and overseers of the flock. He reminds pastors that their charge – serving as a pastor of a local New Testament congregation means serving Christians whose salvation has been bought by the blood of Christ. If a pastor or other member of the ministry does not warn someone in their fold of the penalties of sin, then they must give an accounting to God. If they do sound the warning and do teach of the consequences, and if those who are told do not repent of their sins, then he is not held to accountability as he has done all he can. The apostle James sums up this thought best, Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins (James 5:20).
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts (II Peter 1:19)
The apostle Peter is encouraging all Christians to pay attention to what is happening around us and to be aware of our own conduct. In his earlier letter, the apostle Peter wrote, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8), we need to be certain that in all we do, we show the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan is our adversary, he is a real threat, and while he may not be able to destroy our souls as Christians, he can make it difficult for us to keep up our testimony unless we are vigilant in our efforts to resist sin. The light that Peter refers to is the same one found in the book of Psalms, NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalms 119:105); Peter is reminding us to pay attention to the light that Christ has brought into our lives, that we learn from it, and see ourselves more clearly that we did before.
Within the Thompson Chain Topics that I used to help with this study, there was an interesting correlation with this verse in II Peter and this verse in the gospel of John: Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me (John 5:33-36). Just as the crowds were excited to hear the teachings of John the Baptist, later to turn their backs on him, the same is with our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We may profess we love him, but if that is all it is, our profession is weak and the love will leave. Yes, we may be born again, but there is no evidence of what took place. It’s why we must make sure to pay attention to the things of the spirit – personal Bible study, prayer, personal evangelism – are a part of our normal daily routine. We may be the only gospel that some people see.
