Be Alert

There are many times within scripture where God warns us about listening to the words of man especially over His word and following in the steps of man rather than walking in His light. This is not to say that we cannot listen to what man says or walk with others but we must be careful in who and/or what we are listening to and who we are walking with.

This is a sound principle to live by because not everyone we walk with is for us nor do they have our best interest at heart. Yes, I know many people who do not necessarily walk the straightest path and they are good people that I trust but there are others who I have an uneasy feeling around and while I like them, I must guard myself and my possessions against them.

Before someone takes this the wrong way, I am in no way saying that someone cannot be friends with a nonbeliever but I am saying that we must be on our toes or alert about who we listen to and who we surround ourselves with and this is true for both believers and nonbelievers alike: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). In other words, if you are around the wrong people regardless of their level of faith then you’re in potential danger of being led down the wrong path.

Ten or twelve years ago a friend of mine told me that if you listen to people then they will reveal their heart to you then I remember my pastor telling me to be careful asking people how they are doing because they will tell you. From these two simple statements, I have learned a great and valuable life lesson: be alert. Be alert of those around you and those that you entertain because they not be there because they love you but rather, they want something or enjoy what you have to offer them and Christ warns us to be alert and aware: “And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9).

This is a principle that I have had to learn the hard way as I used to be the type of person that did for everyone and while this is good as Christ entertained everyone, we must be careful in that we are not entertaining the Devil himself. We must remember that Satan is good at what he does as he has been at this since the beginning of time and he does not come at us in a red suit or with horns but in all the things that we enjoy. Therefore, we must be on our toes and be alert about who we surround ourselves with and what we entertain so we are not taken back: “And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts” (Mark 4:15).