These warnings from the Lord are to his apostles and also to us...

 

• Matthew 16:6  “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees”

• Matthew 16:11   “How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  

• Mark 13:23   “So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time”.

• Luke 12:1   “Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

• Luke 12:15   “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

• Acts 20:31   “So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

• 1 Corinthians 16:13  “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

• 2 Peter 3:17   “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.”

 

These warnings are a reminder that we should keep our hearts and minds fixed on Christ, rather than what we see.  We are responsible for making sure that we know the truth, rather than just the traditions of a ‘church’ and the teachings of men.  We should keep in mind that many of the warnings above are about the hypocrisy of religious leaders.  God's word is our guide.

"See to it that no-one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world, rather than on Christ." (Col. 2:8)

It is not man’s approval we seek, but God’s.  Don't be led astray by the praise (or condemnation) of those around you.  Whether we stay in a particular congregation or not, is a decision that we all need to make based on prayer and God’s will, rather than the opinions of those around us. 

 

But make no mistake.  God is calling all his people to repent, regardless of which ‘church’ we attend, and regardless of the position we hold!  "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!" (James 1:22)  Our repentance is in obedience to the Lord's commands as they have been given by His apostles.  This is what Jesus told His apostles to expect; "Remember the words I spoke to you:  No servant is greater than his master.  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.  If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." (John 15:20) 

 

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose purpose purpose." (Phil. 2:12-13)