A Magnolia's Heart Beats

Amy at In Pursuit of Proverbs 31 is hosting this week's In "Other" Words Tuesdays.

Amy shares why she chose this quote, to help you write about it: It may seem strange but I want to focus on the fact that every action has a consequence and God gives us warning signs throughout the Bible so that we can live by them and avoid “accidents”.

This quote isn't really all that strange when you think about it. We're given warning signs on the road for our benefit as drivers.

"Slippery When Wet"

"Uneven Pavement"

"Low Shoulder"

"Detour"

"Bridge May Ice in Cold Weather"

"Cattle Xing" - okay, maybe that's just in Mississippi

Some of the signs we think are common sense. Others, definitely we need to know.

When we ignore the signs, we open ourselves up for the possiblity of an accident. There's a reason those signs are there. Perhaps others have had accidents there before and they fought for the display of the sign to warn others. Maybe they're just there in case we do need to know. At any point, they're there. They are not to be ignored.

As Amy mentioned above, every action has a consequence. Just as ignoring road signs can be hazardous to our safety, similarly, there are warning signs throughout the Word of God. I love how God's Word speaks to us.

The phrase "take heed" is used in the KJV Bible 65 times.

Here are two examples.

Pride

"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." ~ 1 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV)

The Greek word for heed is blepō. This means:

1) to see, discern, of the bodily eye
a) with the bodily eye: to be possessed of sight, have the power of seeing
b) perceive by the use of the eyes: to see, look descry
c) to turn the eyes to anything: to look at, look upon, gaze at
d) to perceive by the senses, to feel
e) to discover by use, to know by experience
2) metaph. to see with the mind's eye
a) to have (the power of) understanding
b) to discern mentally, observe, perceive, discover, understand
c) to turn the thoughts or direct the mind to a thing, to consider, contemplate, to look at, to weigh carefully, examine
3) in a geographical sense of places, mountains, buildings, etc. turning towards any quarter, as it were, facing it

We must be careful to use all of our God-given senses and examine what will happen if we are prideful. We must be careful to remain in humility, because the consequence of the action of pride is to fall.

The Greek word for fall is piptō and means:

1) to descend from a higher place to a lower
a) to fall (either from or upon)
1) to be thrust down
b) metaph. to fall under judgment, came under condemnation
2) to descend from an erect to a prostrate position
a) to fall down
1) to be prostrated, fall prostrate
2) of those overcome by terror or astonishment or grief or under the attack of an evil spirit or of falling dead suddenly
3) the dismemberment of a corpse by decay
4) to prostrate one's self
5) used of suppliants and persons rendering homage or worship to one
6) to fall out, fall from i.e. shall perish or be lost
7) to fall down, fall into ruin: of buildings, walls etc.
b) to be cast down from a state of prosperity
1) to fall from a state of uprightness
2) to perish, i.e come to an end, disappear, cease
a) of virtues
3) to lose authority, no longer have force
a) of sayings, precepts, etc.
4) to be removed from power by death
5) to fail of participating in, miss a share in

If we are prideful, we fall. Action=Consequence.

We do not have to experience it, though, if we take heed and do what God's Word says.

Gossip & Slander

Another warning verse I wanted to share with you is this.

"But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another." ~ Galatians 5:15 (KJV)

We should be very careful not to gossip about and slander each other. The Greek word for heed is the same as in the verse above, but look at the definition for consumed.

The etymology is actually from 3 words. Let's look at them.

Ana means:

1) into the midst, in the midst, amidst, among, between

Haireō means:

1) to take for oneself, to prefer, choose
2) to choose by vote, elect to office

And analiskō means:

1) to expend
a) to consume, e.g. spend money
2) to consume, use up, destroy

What a dangerous choice we make when we gossip and slander. The risks are great, but we don't have to go there! We can choose not to by obeying God's Word. Let's look at the whole Scripture in context.

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." ~ Galatians 5:14-16 (KJV)

When our flesh cries out to gossip and slander one another, we have the option to take heed and not do it. The warning is there on the precious pages of Scripture. We run the risk of being consumed. We can choose, instead, to walk by the Spirit and refrain from saying anything.

There are so many other warning signs in the Bible. These two just jumped out at me. Let's proceed with caution by using God's Word as a guideline for avoiding the pitfalls in life.

C - Carefully keep the Word of God. "I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." ~ John 8:51 (NIV)

A - Ask God for guidance. "Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight." ~ Psalm 119:35 (NIV)

U - Understand that God's warnings are meant for our good. "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." ~ Psalm 119:9 (NIV)

T - Thoughtfully consider the consequences of your actions. "Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands." ~ Psalm 119:6 (NIV)

I - Intentionally read the Word of God so you will be prepared for His coming. "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." ~ Revelation 1:3 (NIV)

O - Open your heart to receive His Word. "But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." ~ Matthew 13:23 (NIV)

N - Notice the examples given in the Word and take heed of them. "But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." ~ 1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)

Father, thank You for Your Word. In it we find the life-giving truths You wish to share with us. These words and commandments will keep us from harm if we are obedient to Your command. Help us to heed the warnings and to remember that our actions do have everlasting consequences. In Jesus' Name, Amen.