"Beware" is a warning word. It means to be on guard against. This word is used several times in the Bible. Let's notice some of these passages and consider their context.
Jesus said "beware" two times in His Sermon on the Mount. "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matt. 6:1). "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matt. 7:15).
In Matt. 6:1 Jesus deals with the problem of pride. He tells us that it is possible to do a most noble act for a most corrupt reason. In other words, it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. Charitable deeds are right actions. But if we do them to elevate ourselves before others, then that is the wrong reason. God does not reward pride, or doing good deeds with the wrong motives. He rewards good deeds done from a good heart for the right reason.
Does Matt. 6:1 contradict Matt. 5:16 where Jesus said that Christians are to let their light shine so that others can see their good works and glorify God? No. There is a big difference between doing good deeds so as to bring honor to God and doing good deeds so as to bring honor upon ourselves. It is not being seen of men that concerns Jesus, but the desire to be seen by men. The issue is whether or not we selflessly do good deeds to please God or selfishly do good deeds to please men and ourselves.
In Matt. 7:15 Jesus deals with the problem of false prophets who are a real threat to our staying on the narrow path that leads to Heaven (Matt. 7:13-14). There are many warnings in the Bible concerning false prophets and false teachers. I have never known them to identify themselves as such. They simply do not work that way because if they did, then they know it would be difficult to gain a following so as to lead others astray.
False prophets and false teachers come in sheep's clothing. In other words, they outwardly appear innocent, harmless, and sincere. Someone who is so sweet and kind could not be wrong could he? Beware! They are ravening wolves. In other words, they are inwardly deceitful, corrupt, greedy, covetous, and devouring. They thrive off the misfortune and gullibility of others.
"Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!" (Phil. 3:2)
The apostle Paul used the word "beware" three times in one verse with regard to false teachers. He used the words dogs, evil workers, and mutilation to describe them because they perverted the gospel of Christ and sought to lead people away from it.
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ" (Col. 2:8)
Paul warns against embracing false religions. He warns us not to be deceived by human philosophies, traditions, and worldly elements because they are not after Christ. We do not need human philosophy for our spiritual enlightenment. There is nothing that human philosophy can supply or add to the fullness of Christ or to the completeness of a Christian (Col. 2:9-10). Human philosophy has been described as a blind man looking in a dark room for a black cat that isn't there! It is vain or empty.
The problem of pride is overcome by humbling ourselves before God to do good works that glorify Him.
The problem of false prophets is overcome by knowing the Scriptures well enough to tell the difference between truth and error.
The problem of false religions is overcome by embracing every spiritual blessing that is found only in Christ.
-Scott Vifquain
Jesus said "beware" two times in His Sermon on the Mount. "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven" (Matt. 6:1). "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matt. 7:15).
In Matt. 6:1 Jesus deals with the problem of pride. He tells us that it is possible to do a most noble act for a most corrupt reason. In other words, it is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason. Charitable deeds are right actions. But if we do them to elevate ourselves before others, then that is the wrong reason. God does not reward pride, or doing good deeds with the wrong motives. He rewards good deeds done from a good heart for the right reason.
Does Matt. 6:1 contradict Matt. 5:16 where Jesus said that Christians are to let their light shine so that others can see their good works and glorify God? No. There is a big difference between doing good deeds so as to bring honor to God and doing good deeds so as to bring honor upon ourselves. It is not being seen of men that concerns Jesus, but the desire to be seen by men. The issue is whether or not we selflessly do good deeds to please God or selfishly do good deeds to please men and ourselves.
In Matt. 7:15 Jesus deals with the problem of false prophets who are a real threat to our staying on the narrow path that leads to Heaven (Matt. 7:13-14). There are many warnings in the Bible concerning false prophets and false teachers. I have never known them to identify themselves as such. They simply do not work that way because if they did, then they know it would be difficult to gain a following so as to lead others astray.
False prophets and false teachers come in sheep's clothing. In other words, they outwardly appear innocent, harmless, and sincere. Someone who is so sweet and kind could not be wrong could he? Beware! They are ravening wolves. In other words, they are inwardly deceitful, corrupt, greedy, covetous, and devouring. They thrive off the misfortune and gullibility of others.
"Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!" (Phil. 3:2)
The apostle Paul used the word "beware" three times in one verse with regard to false teachers. He used the words dogs, evil workers, and mutilation to describe them because they perverted the gospel of Christ and sought to lead people away from it.
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ" (Col. 2:8)
Paul warns against embracing false religions. He warns us not to be deceived by human philosophies, traditions, and worldly elements because they are not after Christ. We do not need human philosophy for our spiritual enlightenment. There is nothing that human philosophy can supply or add to the fullness of Christ or to the completeness of a Christian (Col. 2:9-10). Human philosophy has been described as a blind man looking in a dark room for a black cat that isn't there! It is vain or empty.
The problem of pride is overcome by humbling ourselves before God to do good works that glorify Him.
The problem of false prophets is overcome by knowing the Scriptures well enough to tell the difference between truth and error.
The problem of false religions is overcome by embracing every spiritual blessing that is found only in Christ.
-Scott Vifquain