Recently, I heard someone say that when he reads Scripture, he tries to do so with the mindset of a child. I took that to mean teachable, eager to see what it has to say, absent pre-conceived notions.
I thought I’d do that this morning as I started reading Hebrews 2. I didn’t get beyond verse 1: Pay attention to the truth.
Specifically, the full verse reads: “Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.” [Amplified translation]
“Since all this” refers to everything that happened in chapter 1. I encourage you to go back and read it.
But then, we’re admonished to pay attention to the truth.
How often do we hear the truth, but not really pay attention to it? And what does “pay attention” really mean?
The KJV translates this verse: “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
“More earnest” is from the Greek perissoterōs, which means more superabundantly, excessive, or even violently.
And “heed” is translated from prosechō, which means to hold the mind towards, i.e. pay attention, be cautious about, apply oneself to, or adhere to.
Do we excessively and even violently hold our minds toward truth? Or do we hear the truth, but then focus our attention on messages that are often contrary to truth. Our emotions, feelings, thoughts, and circumstances can be contrary to the truth. Do we pay more attention to them than to the truth?
And what is truth? John 17:17 tells us the Word of God is truth.
So let’s pay attention…let’s apply ourselves excessively and hold our minds to…the truth of God’s Word.
Romans 3:4: “…let God be true, but every man a liar…”
Amen! Thank you, Gina, for this excellent word!