12. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13. But exhort one another while it is called today, unless any of you be hardened through deceitfulness of sin.
For decades — perhaps even centuries — Christians have practiced their faith by going to church on Sunday. This has been the primary way many acknowledge God. And truth be told, the sermon has often replaced the personal reading of Scripture. Rightfully so, Jesus is proclaimed as Lord and Savior from the pulpit, and in the congregation — with choirs and musicians leading worship in song. All of this is good and should be done.
But when you peer between the lines of Scripture, you find that the phrase “brothers and sisters in Christ” is more than just words — unlike the feeling the words have today. In many churches, once the service service is over, congregations go their separate ways with little thought of those they were just worshipping with. In contrast, the New Testament writers reinforce the bond that followers of Christ should share.
- Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
- Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
- Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love
These verses show that unity, encouragement of one another, and expressions of love are commandments inspired by the Spirit of God. Commandments given not to brag and boast of one’s commitment to Christ, but to ensure that our faith remains strong against falling away, and that the Spirit within us rises above the flesh when temptation comes.
The phrase “Take heed” in Hebrews 3:13 isn’t as gentle as it sounds in English. The Greek word is “blepo” and it is a strong warning to “see to it“, to be vigilant and watchful “lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Every New Testament writer understood the dangers believers faced, and their writings illustrate the opposition to those that followed Christ. There was persecution that often led to imprisonment or death. Jews that didn’t believe Jesus to be the Messiah and encouraged Christ following Jews to return to Judaism — even encouraging Gentiles that followed Christ to instead follow Jewish customs. There were also those who worshipped pagan gods or no god at all. The early Christians no doubt needed each other to remain firm in their faith after the ascension of Jesus.
Although the writer of Hebrews is unknown, what is known is their deep connection to the early Church, and their understanding of the weakness of the flesh in a society driven by sin. It was not unlike the time of Judges 17:6 when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Although we live in a far more developed world today, the threat of temptation has not changed. That is why the command “But exhort one another while it is called today, unless any of you be hardened through deceitfulness of sin” is as relevant today as it was in the first century.
Christ is the head of the Church body, and no believer stands alone. Unity makes the Gospel strong in the places where sin loves to thrive. The English term exhort comes from the Greek parakaleo which means to urge, to call alongside, to encourage, or to strengthen. We commanded to encourage and strengthen each other’s faith so that no heart becomes hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. We are to exhort one another not just to avoid sin — but to help our brothers and sisters through the darkness of depression, the weight of anxiety, and to provide peace over anger. Just as Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ.
Christians should cultivate faith-based relationships that grow by gathering together in our homes for Bible study, prayer, and even simple social opportunities that allow us to leave the world behind for a few hours — or even a day or weekend. Instead of arguing and debating on social media about the differences in interpretation of Scripture, we should embrace those differences and recognize that often times interpretations are shaped by personal experience. We must stop relying solely on the organized church and its buildings to practice our faith and learn Scripture. When believers act as the Church, faith becomes stronger in the community, and the community itself becomes stronger. It is our responsibility to make uprightness the norm by living righteous lives through faith and encouraging the same in our brothers and sisters.
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This is every Christian’s call to faith-based duty to strengthen the Church, spread the Gospel, and ensure the stability of the brothers and sisters beside them. A duty rooted in righteousness and shaped by every holy-inspired Word of Scripture. When we walk in spiritual discernment, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our paths become enlightened instead of stumbling in the darkness. These are the steps that guard our hears and help us to avoid “departing from the living God.”
Father God in Heaven, we pray that the Church grows stronger in spiritual wisdom, individually in the Gospel, and together as the body of Christ. Lead us into fellowship willingly, not out of duty. Let none be ashamed of the faith nor the calling to discipleship. Let your glory shine everywhere darkness loves to reign. In Christ Jesus’ Name. Amen.