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. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Acts 20:28-30

We have finally finished wading through Acts 20—Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders in particular. Before starting Acts 21, I thought it wise for us to be reminded of the most poignant aspect of what he told them. “Take heed to yourselves.”

Why? Because as in every church, in every place, and in every time, straying from the truth is an ever present danger! Sometimes it is outright heresy. But usually it is much more subtle, and therefore harder to spot and reject. More often that turning away to outright heresy, churches “drift away.” Rather than sticking with Christ and the gospel (and practicing the “ordinary means of grace”), churches place emphasis on many lesser things:

“Talks” intended to “inspire” and make people feel good (instead of biblical and doctrinal sermons intended to grow us up in the faith).
Entertainment. Fun, fun, fun so that people will like us, instead of fearing and worshiping God.
Programs that meet every conceivable need—except for spiritual growth in sanctification.
Politics. Trusting in politicians and political parties instead of addressing the root cause of our problems: sin and the need for repentance and spiritual awakening.
Moralism and legalism, as though being good and doing good are any substitute for Christ and the gospel—followed by loving, grateful obedience.

In the closing chapters of Hosea, God warned Israel of impending judgment for having turned away from Him to false gods. It is chilling to read because God’s words so clearly apply to God’s people in every place and in every time—including ours. Let us, therefore, “take heed to ourselves”!