How important is it to pay attention? We all know that in everyday life it is very important. When driving, it is necessary to keep your eyes on the road and your mind tuned in to what is going on around you. Neglecting to pay attention could result in an accident. When attending school, paying attention is of utmost importance to pass that next test and ultimately be successful in life. When working a job, you must pay attention if you want to keep your job.
No doubt many times, your parents have said to you, “pay attention!” Did you know that God is also telling us in His Word to “pay attention”? From a spiritual standpoint, whether you are paying attention or not will mean success or failure.
David said in Psalm 39:1, “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.” Let your mind dwell on this portion of the scripture, “I will take heed to my ways…”
It is vital that saved young people stop and truly consider their ways, pause and take a steady look at themselves. Your “way” is your manner of thinking and your behavior. How are you thinking? Is sin still exceedingly sinful to you, or has it become enticing? How are you handling your temptations? Are you quick to say no, and push them out of your mind?
The devil is plotting and planning every day a way to gain your soul. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Are the other young people still your friends, or do you find yourself criticizing them, or imagining that they don’t like you anymore? How easy it is for the mind to imagine all manner of things when someone walks by and doesn’t say “hello”, or looks at you funny. Don’t let your imagination run off with you. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to “cast down imaginations”. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise think on these things.”
How is your behavior? Your conduct? Are you treating others as you should? Are you showing respect to your parents, your pastor, your young people’s leader, and your teachers at school? Psalm 101:2, “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”
How are you at home? When your siblings are getting on your very last nerve, when you had a bad day at school, and your mom asks you to unload the dishwasher or take the trash out, how is your conduct? Is it pleasing to God?
We live in a time when lukewarmness is trying to creep in; to get those who are saved to loosen up just a little, to not give so much care to right conduct and right thinking. To combat this lukewarmness, you must read and pray every day and put your heart into it, even when you don’t feel like it. You must ask God to help you to be alert and take heed to your way. He will surely help you and keep you right where you need to be.