Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28

We are considering Paul’s words to “take heed” to ourselves. The sense is that we must pay careful attention. To what? To ourselves—but not in a preoccupation with ourselves manner. Rather, as Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Timothy 4:16):

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

We are to “take heed” to ourselves in light of biblical doctrine. In other words, we must know ourselves and biblical doctrine, conforming ourselves to the unchanging Word of God. And, as Paul adds, we must “continue” in this endeavor so that we do not drift and fade away from the faith.

What is the promise we can expect if we continue to “take heed”? Salvation. Salvation is not a result of “taking heed.” No one can save themselves, much less others by how carefully we live. Salvation is solely a result of what Christ has done to save us by dying and rising from the dead to pay our sin debt. What Paul is promising to those who “take heed” and “continue” to do so is that our salvation will be validated by lives of “taking heed.” Additionally, that our lifestyles match our profession of faith in Christ goes a long way in influencing others as well.

Paul’s exhortation to “take heed” is urgently important, not only for elders but for every believer in Christ.