"Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them." (Hebrews 13:9)

1. Do Not Be Carried About—Do Not Be Led Astray

It was not only possible but a present danger for Christians in the first century to be led astray. Why would some think there is no danger of Christians being carried away by error today? Why would some believe that sincerity alone is enough, regardless of what one believes?

Scripture repeatedly warns against deception and drifting from the truth. Jesus cautioned, “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matt. 24:4). He foretold of false christs and false prophets who would arise (Matt. 24:24). Paul warned the Ephesian elders that men would arise, speaking perverse things to draw disciples away (Acts 20:30). He instructed the Romans to “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Rom. 16:17).

The Corinthians were warned about false apostles and the danger of accepting “another Jesus” or a “different gospel” (2 Cor. 11:4, 13). The Galatians had turned away from Christ’s gospel to a different one and were at risk of falling away (Gal. 1:6-8; Gal. 5:4). Paul issued a storm warning to the Ephesians, warning that they should not be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). He cautioned the Colossians against being deceived by “philosophy and empty deceit” (Col. 2:8).

Jude also warns of those who would “turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). These individuals distort grace into a license for sin, just as others distort the gospel to accommodate human traditions or personal preferences.

These warnings demonstrate the real and present danger of error. False doctrines can affect a Christian’s standing with God. The faith has not changed and will not change.

2. With Various and Strange Doctrines—The Appeal of Novel Teachings

The early Christians were to test every teaching against what had been delivered by the apostles. Paul wrote, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8, emphasis added). John reinforced this, stating, “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father” (1 Jn. 2:24). Jude also exhorts us to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). This faith, once and for all given, is the standard by which all teachings must be measured.

If a teaching doesn't align with this original faith, it is to be rejected—along with the one promoting it (2 Jn. 9-11).

3. It Is Good That the Heart Be Established—Firm, Secure, and Steadfast in Truth

The inspired writer contrasts two sources of establishment:

• “By grace”—the true source of strength and stability.
• “Not with foods”—likely referring to Jewish dietary laws or an ascetic form of self-denial.

Paul spoke of some who “forbid marriage and command to abstain from foods” (1 Tim. 4:3). He reminded the Romans, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17).

While some even today bind dietary restrictions as religious requirements, others redefine fellowship and the work of the church around food and entertainment, replacing gospel preaching with coffee, donuts, and whatever satisfies the appetite. Paul’s sharp rebuke to Corinth still applies: “What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?” and “But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment” (1 Cor. 11:22, 34).

Instead of seeking to establish the heart through outward practices, the Holy Spirit tells us that our hearts are established by grace:

• “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).
• “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1).
• “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12).

Grace not only saves but also instructs us in righteous living. In God’s grace, we find stability, strength, salvation, and sustainment.

Conclusion

The warning in Hebrews 13:9 is as relevant today as it was in the first century. If we allow our hearts to be anchored in God's grace rather than human traditions or novel shifting doctrines, we will remain steadfast in the faith.

Let us hold to the gospel that was once delivered and be established in the unchanging truth of Christ. As in the first century, so it is today—many chase after new, appealing teachings rather than being rooted in God’s grace and truth. Human traditions and ideas come and go, but the gospel remains unchanged from the time it was first given.

To have our hearts established, let us not be carried away by strange doctrines, but rather be nourished in words of faith and good doctrine, taking heed to ourselves and the doctrine of Christ (1 Tim. 4:6, 16).

The rich fool built bigger barns, only to leave them to others (Luke 12:16–21). The wise man built his house on the trusted Rock, secured and kept forever (Matthew 7:24–25).

1. Treasuring Truth (Acts 8:26-28)

The Ethiopian eunuch took a long trip to Jerusalem to worship. This was not a quick trip but was estimated to take 50-75 days! The redemption of the soul is not a quick or painless pursuit. Yet Jesus promised: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6, NKJV).

2. Treasuring Humility (Acts 8:29-33)

Although the eunuch was a man of great authority, he valued understanding the Scriptures correctly. He admitted there were things he could not understand and wanted help in understanding them. Rather than seeing guidance as beneath him, he welcomed it. David wrote, “The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way” (Psa. 25:9).

3. Treasuring Answers (Acts 8:34-35)

The eunuch was confused over who Isaiah had in mind when writing about the suffering Messiah. This text should have been central to many discussions in the first century when people inquired about the Messiah. Beginning with this Scripture, Philip preached Jesus to Him. When confusion exists, preaching Jesus brings clarity—Jesus is the answer! Do we treasure God’s answers today as the eunuch did (Prov. 2:1-5)?

4. Treasuring Salvation (Acts 8:36-38)

After hearing the explanation, the eunuch did not wait for a later opportunity but quickly surrendered himself to Christ in baptism. Why is it that after many claim to preach Jesus today, sinners are not asking, “Here is water, what hinders me from being baptized?” Is it the lack of water or the lack of preaching Jesus? Baptism is the proper response to the preaching of Jesus (Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16).

5. Treasuring Obedience (Acts 8:39)

After baptism, the eunuch “went on his way rejoicing.” True joy comes from knowing one is saved and in fellowship with God. Where is your journey leading you?

“The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil” (Prov. 15:28).

God created mankind with the ability to exercise the mind by forming thoughts and ideas. Humans alone can express and communicate these thoughts in discernible words. Yet, with any great ability comes great responsibility. The sacred writers emphasize the need for thoughtful speech.

The heart of the righteous studies how to answer. There is always the danger in speech of saying something injurious. There is the danger of communicating a message that is corrupt and contemptible. There is the possibility of speaking in a way that betrays what is true and promotes what is false. Therefore, the heart—or mind—of a righteous person will deliberate, meditate, and formulate a proper response.

“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips” (Prov. 16:23).

Earlier, the inspired sage observed in Proverbs 15:2, “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” This implies that knowledge can be used wrongly. How so?

• To deceive – Twisting facts or the Scriptures to manipulate others.
• To boast – Some may use knowledge as a vehicle for pride. Knowledge can puff up (1 Cor. 8:1), but love tempers it to edify.
• To harm – Using knowledge as a weapon to belittle, control, or slander a weakness in another. Simply because we know something doesn’t mean we should repeat it. Proverbs 12:18 says, “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.” Do I use words as a butcher or a surgeon—to destroy or to help?
• To justify sin – One can use knowledge to rationalize sin and excuse wrongdoing. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil…” (Isa. 5:20).
• To argue over foolish disputes – “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (2 Tim. 2:23). Certainly, not all disputes are foolish, but all ignorant disputes without a productive purpose are.

The inspired apostle charges in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Jesus also warned in Matthew 12:36, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”

Thoughtful speech is in contrast to rash talk. Rash lips proved dangerous enough to keep Moses out of the Promised Land (Psalm 106:32-33). Rash and foolish speech will also keep us from reaching our goal of being with Jesus in eternity.

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas. 1:19).

THOUGHT – An invisible force of the mind that shapes our views, our words, our actions, and even our destinations. Every act of evil or kindness begins with a thought. Every destructive deed, every invention, and every masterpiece of art starts as a thought. Libraries are vast storehouses of recorded thoughts. The news delivers thoughts in the form of information. From the moment we wake up to the time we sleep, we are constantly thinking.

In all our thinking, let’s remember:

• God’s thoughts are not ours. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
• God declares His thoughts to us. “For behold, He who forms mountains, and creates the wind, who declares to man what his thought is, and makes the morning darkness, who treads the high places of the earth—The LORD God of hosts is His name.” (Amos 6:13)
• God’s thoughts toward us are many. “Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalm 40:5) David stood in awe, asking, “LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?” (Psalm 144:3). The word mindful (Piel stem) expresses an intense and ongoing concern—God is not just aware of us; He continually thinks upon us with care and purpose.

With these thoughts in mind, ask yourself:

• Since God’s thoughts are so much greater than mine, do I take an interest in them? Do I trust His wisdom over my own?
• Since God declares His thoughts, am I listening? Do His thoughts shape my daily life?
• Since God has countless thoughts toward me, do I value them enough to seek them out? Am I concerned about what His thoughts are toward me?

But how can we know the thoughts of God? Paul answers:

"For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Corinthians 2:11-13)

If we truly desire to know God's thoughts, we must go to where He has revealed them—the Scriptures. The Bible is not just a book of history or moral instruction; it is the mind of God made known to man. "The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever." (Psalm 119:160)

Are you searching His Word to know His thoughts?