“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” (Heb. 2:1)

If God thought it wise to put warnings in His word about being careful to do as He asks of us lest we ‘drift away’...do you think He did so knowing there was a potential danger that we could actually do that - ‘drift’ away? And what does that even mean, to ‘drift away’?

A simple definition for the word ‘drift’ is - ‘to be carried slowly by a current of air or water’.

Did you catch the use of the word ‘slowly’, as we all know how subtle drifting can be? Have you ever been sitting in a canoe or small boat on the lake, maybe toying with some fishing gear or scrolling through your phone and you look up, only to discover that the spot you were in 30 minutes ago is much further away than you could have imagined? Or maybe dozing off on an air mattress catching some sun rays...and the same thing happens?

I find it interesting how that definition uses both air and water as examples of what it is that can carry one away, especially since scripture speaks often of floods being a part of God’s wrath in the last days and how people will be ‘carried away’ by them (Luke 17:27; Matt. 24:39; Rev. 12:15). Then there is the mention of not being “tossed to and fro with every ‘wind’ of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9; 1 Tim. 4:1). And what did Paul suggest would precede the Day of the Lord and the coming of Christ in 2 Thess. 2:3?

Who do you suppose is behind this drifting so that we can be taken captive by him? (2 Tim. 2:25-26)? Are we not admonished to be vigilant and alert, giving him ‘no place’? (1 Pet. 5:8-9; Eph. 4:27). Does Paul not remind us how we are to be ‘not ignorant of his schemes or devices’? (2 Cor. 2:11). Now take a look at James 1:13-16 for a detailed ‘play-by-play’ as to how this happens to us. The ‘tempter’ comes to ‘entice’ us. Maybe that’s why we are commanded to ‘resist the devil’ as opposed to ‘ignoring’ him? (James 4:7)

Would you now take a moment and read Hebrews 3:12-14; you might even highlight or underline it in your Bible.

What is the warning there in vs. 12 reminding us as to what can happen to us? If we are cautioned about ‘departing from the living God’, do you think it is possible that we can do that? Do we not read where ‘many disciples’ did just this, in John 6:66 or 2 Tim. 4:10?

I know much is often said how ‘no one can pluck you from the Father’s hand’ (John 10:28) but that promise of protection is given to His ‘sheep’...who not only ‘hear His voice’, but they actually follow Him’ (John 10:27; 1 John 5:18). What did Jesus warn us of in John 12:35? Do you think it's possible for anyone who is 'walking in the light'...if they drift or fall behind...could be 'overtaken by darkness'? And what do you suppose that 'darkness' is?

So now let’s examine the next verse there in Hebrews 3, verse 13 - How often are we encouraged to ‘exhort one another’? Did your Bible say ‘daily’? Sounds a bit excessive, does it not? I mean...who is honest enough here reading today to admit that maybe on one or two occasions, perhaps while you were reading these posts of mine...the thought ran through your head- “alright, enough already Tony...we get it...why do you keep repeating yourself with this sin stuff’? Ha...that thought runs through my head frequently and I’m the one typing these out every day.

And what danger lies there as to why we should be exhorting one another daily? ...”lest we be hardened ...through the deceitfulness of (what)_____’?

I want to close here today and pick up tomorrow with this, Lord willing. It’s important we take our time examining how this ‘hardening’ of our hearts occurs. What did Jesus warn would ‘harden’ or ‘wax cold’ in the last days? (Matt. 24:12). Seeing any signs of that around you?

Meet me back here tomorrow.