“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.”
— Luke 21:34 (NKJV)
“Be careful that you never allow your hearts to grow cold. Remain passionate and free from anxiety and the worries of this life. Then you will not be caught off guard by what happens.”
— Luke 21:34 (TPT)
Thanksgiving is a time to remember and return. As we celebrate God’s blessings, we must not forget the Giver. We must not only celebrate the goodness of God but also pause for a heart-check. God’s blessings are meant to draw us closer to Him, not away. This is why Scripture repeatedly says, “Take heed to yourselves”—a call to be alert, spiritually watchful, and intentional in our walk with God.
1. Take Heed to Yourself
Deuteronomy 4:9 – “Only take heed to yourself… lest you forget the things your eyes have seen…”
1 Timothy 4:16 – “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine…”
To “take heed” means to examine your thoughts, your spiritual health, and your relationship with God. It is possible to appear successful outwardly while drifting inwardly.
2. The Danger of Comfort
Deuteronomy 8:10-14 – “…when you are full… beware that you forget not the Lord your God.”
Comfort can lead to forgetfulness. In hard times, we pray and seek God desperately. But in seasons of ease, the heart can grow cold. Comfort without caution can turn blessings into burdens.
3. Thanksgiving Is a Spiritual Checkpoint
Thanksgiving is not just a celebration—it’s a reminder. Ask yourself:
- Has this blessing drawn me closer to God or farther away?
- Am I managing what God gave me with humility and purpose?
1 Corinthians 10:12 – “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
4. When Blessings Become a Burden
- The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16–21): Blessed with increase, but lost sight of eternity.
- Solomon (1 Kings 11): Gifted with wisdom and peace, yet drifted in his later years due to compromise.
Blessings unmanaged can quietly replace the Blesser.
5. Be Sober, Be Vigilant
1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil… seeks whom he may devour.”
Satan doesn’t only use hardship; he also uses success, promotion, and comfort to distract us. His aim is always separation from God.
6. How to Take Heed (Practical Steps)
- Daily Self-Check: Am I still growing spiritually?
- Prioritize God Above All:
“Seek first the kingdom…” (Matthew 6:33) - Use Blessings to Serve: Don’t let them isolate you from church or purpose.
- Stay Accountable:
“Not forsaking the assembling…” (Hebrews 10:25) - Guard Your Heart from Pride:
“Keep your heart with all diligence…” (Proverbs 4:23)
7. A Word to the Thankful Heart
Let your thanksgiving go beyond words—let it reflect in how you live. Stay close to God in the good times as you did in the hard times.
Luke 21:36 – “Watch therefore, and pray always…”
Take heed—not just to your finances, health, or reputation, but to your soul.
