What is taught about "beware"?
Introduction. There are basically three different Greek words translated "beware" in the Greek New Testament. One word (phulasso) means to "guard, watch, keep, is used, in the middle voice, of being on one's guard against..." (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).
We must beware of covetousness. Jesus taught, "...take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12: 15). Jesus then provides an example of covetousness, the rich farmer (vs. 16 ff.). Many Americans today are so engulfed in their possessions and working for more that they have become the slaves of their material idols (Matt. 6: 24 ff.).
We must beware of false teachers. Hear Jesus again: "Beware of the false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matt. 7: 15). False teachers disguise themselves, Jesus is saying. Paul wrote, "...Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness..." (2 Cor. 11: 14, 15). We must try the spirits (1 John 4: 1). The gospel is our standard to determine the false and the loyal teacher (Gal. 2: 14, 2 John 9-11).
Beware of hypocrisy. Jesus warned about the influence of the Pharisees when he taught, "...Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy" (Luke 12: 1). Hypocrisy is pretense. They appeared righteous, but they rejected the commandments of God and performed their selfish will (Mk. 7).
Conclusion. The command to beware (watch, guard against) shows man's responsibility and participation in his salvation. Indeed, one must beware lest one fall from one's own steadfastness (2 Pet. 3: 17).
We must beware of covetousness. Jesus taught, "...take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12: 15). Jesus then provides an example of covetousness, the rich farmer (vs. 16 ff.). Many Americans today are so engulfed in their possessions and working for more that they have become the slaves of their material idols (Matt. 6: 24 ff.).
We must beware of false teachers. Hear Jesus again: "Beware of the false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matt. 7: 15). False teachers disguise themselves, Jesus is saying. Paul wrote, "...Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness..." (2 Cor. 11: 14, 15). We must try the spirits (1 John 4: 1). The gospel is our standard to determine the false and the loyal teacher (Gal. 2: 14, 2 John 9-11).
Beware of hypocrisy. Jesus warned about the influence of the Pharisees when he taught, "...Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy" (Luke 12: 1). Hypocrisy is pretense. They appeared righteous, but they rejected the commandments of God and performed their selfish will (Mk. 7).
Conclusion. The command to beware (watch, guard against) shows man's responsibility and participation in his salvation. Indeed, one must beware lest one fall from one's own steadfastness (2 Pet. 3: 17).