by Mark Mayberry
Synopsis: In his editorial, Mark offers observations based on the children's song, "Oh, be careful."—Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see, Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see. There's a Father up above looking down in tender love, Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.
Profound truths can be shared with simple words. Consider the familiar children's song, "Oh Be Careful." The Bible repeatedly warns the people of God to "be careful" (Deut. 6:1-9; Ezek. 36:22-32; 1 Cor. 3:10; Eph. 5:15-16; Titus 3:8). Prudence is required with our hearts, hands, and feet. Don't forget your eyes, ears, and mouth. In every aspect of life, let us remember that God is watching.
When Paul says, "Be careful" (1 Cor. 3:10; Eph. 5:15-16), he uses the Greek word blepō, which means "to look at, observe, or see." In other words, "Watch what you are doing!" There is a difference between mindlessly staring at a page, and actively trying to comprehend the text. Used in this sense, "to see" means "to process information by giving thought, direct one's attention to something" (BDAG, 179). Bible study requires mental discipline. Spiritually speaking, we must not "sleepwalk" through life. In Matthew 24 and Mark 13, Jesus discusses signs of the end, making application to the destruction of Jerusalem (which occurred in AD 70) and the end of time (which remains in the future). He ends both sections by saying, "Take heed" (Mark 13:23, 33). In other words, "Heads up!" Paul shows similar seriousness in warning the Philippians, "Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision" (Phil. 3:2-3). In other words, "Pay attention!"
We must be careful with our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." In saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man," Jesus echoed this theme (Mark 7:20-23).
God commanded the nation of Israel, "Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons" (Deut. 4:9). Solomon said, "Incline your heart to understanding" (Prov. 2:1-6, esp. v. 2).
We must be careful with our hands. Jesus said, "If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire" (Matt. 18:8; Mark 9:43-44). May we keep our hands spiritually clean (1 Tim. 2:8; Jas. 4:8) and actively dedicated to doing good (Eccl. 9:10; 1 Thess. 4:9-12).
We must be careful with our feet. Sinners may say, "Come with us. Let us share the spoils of wrongdoing." Wisdom entreats, "My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path, for their feet run to evil" (Prov. 1:10-19, esp. v. 15). Our Lord offers a similar warning (Mark 9:45-46).
Therefore, may we live with purpose, watching the paths we trod (Prov. 4:20-27), making straight paths for our feet (Heb. 12:12-13). Be prepared. Although frequently overlooked, proper footwear is essential. Running and rock-climbing shoes serve different needs. So also flip-flops and work boots. Have you shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15)? Are you conducting yourself as a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work (2 Tim. 2:20-21)?
We must be careful with our eyes. Jesus said, "The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!" (Matt. 6:22-23). He soberly warned against allowing our eyes to cause us to stumble (Matt. 5:27-29; 18:9; Mark 9:47-48).
May we allow morality to govern the gift of sight. Job said, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?" (Job 31:1). Failure in focus can be catastrophic: Remember David's folly (2 Sam. 11:2-5; Prov. 6:23-29). Instead of being captured by the eyes of a seductress (Prov. 6:23-29), search for a spiritually-minded spouse who will be a loving and life-long companion (Song of Sol. 4:1, 8-9; 7:4). Wait patiently until the time is right (Song of Sol. 2:7; 8:4).
We must be careful with our ears. In ancient Greek mythology, Sirens enticed sailors with their sweet voices, luring them close to the rocky coasts of their island, leading to shipwreck and ruin. Potiphar's wife looked with desire at Joseph, and said, "Lie with me." Although she entreated him day after day, Joseph did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her (Gen. 39:5-13, esp. v. 10).
Positively, we must be attentive to wisdom and receptive to truth. God says, "Listen, O my people, to my instruction; incline your ears to the words of my mouth…" (Ps. 78:1-4; Prov. 23:12). Parables cloak the truth from those who were indifferent but divulge the truth to those who are discerning (Matt. 13:10-17). When God's word challenges our preconceptions, may we heed Jesus' warning, "Let these words sink into your ears…" (Luke 9:37-45).
We must be careful with our mouths. David said, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle…" (Ps. 39:1). May we speak truth, not falsehood (Ps. 34:11-16; Eph. 4:25), bless and not curse (Eph. 4:29-32; Jas. 3:2-12).
Remember, God is watching (Ps. 11:4-7; 139:1-12, 23-24). We will give an account of our thoughts (Jer. 17:10; Heb. 4:12-13), words (Matt. 12:36-37), and deeds (Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:4-11). God will judge our secret sins, along with those that are brazenly public (Eccl. 12:13-14; Rom. 2:16; 1 Pet. 4:3-6). Are you prepared to stand before Him in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10-11; Rev. 20:11-15)?
BDAG = Bauer, Walter, Frederick W. Danker, William Arndt and F. Wilbur Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Author Bio: Mark and Sherelyn have labored with the Adoue Street church of Christ in Alvin, TX since 1998, where he serves as the evangelist and an elder. The church website is ascoc.org. His Bible study website is markmayberry.net. He can be reached at mark@truthpublications.com.
