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Intention

Remaining steadfast in Christ protects our hearts from wandering and unbelief.

Scripture

“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” — Hebrews 3:12-14

Reflection

There’s an old CD I purchased years ago that comes back to haunt me from time to time. It’s a worship album by an Australian artist who sadly no longer walks with the Lord.

One song is particularly tragic. Titled Prodigal, it begins: “It only seems like yesterday / I said I’d never turn away / From the love I first had found in you…” However, the song ends on a note of hope and resolve: “I pray I’ll never leave this love again”.

Even so, despite this artist’s best intentions, he ultimately succumbed to the dangers he warned about in his song.

How can someone who was once so conscious of the risk of drifting from God have ended up doing just that?

The same tension surfaces in the warning from the book of Hebrews, quoted above. The writer isn’t speaking hypothetically: no one is immune to unbelief. Our hearts, if left unchecked, can harden and turn away from the living God. The call is urgent: maintain steadfast trust in Christ — or risk missing the fullness of life He has secured for us.

This passage gives us four instructions to guard our hearts from wandering:

The first is to realise what’s at stake. Every day, we are moving in one of two directions: deeper into Christ’s rest, or farther away from Him. The further we drift, the more blessings we miss — the richness of intimacy, joy, and peace already promised to us. Psalm 16:11 reminds us: “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Yet, how often do we settle for a shallow experience of God’s abundant life?

Second, recognise your sin. Hebrews 3 warns of the “deceitfulness of sin” which hardens our hearts. Unbelief often begins subtly, through small compromises that accumulate over time and make repentance increasingly difficult. The remedy is vigilance: acknowledge your sin early, repent quickly, and allow God’s gentle correction to keep your heart tender.

Third, remind the saints. We are not designed to navigate our spiritual lives alone. Seeking out fellowship with other Christians, reminding each other of the gospel, and speaking about God’s goodness in our lives reinforces our own hearts and strengthens other believers too.

Finally, remain in the Saviour. Our faith is not in our own perseverance but in Christ Himself. Hebrews calls Him the Son of God, the exact imprint of God’s nature, our merciful high priest, and the one who upholds the universe. He endured the cross, defeated death, and intercedes continuously for us. To remain in Him, we must cultivate a habit of returning to Jesus in thought and practice. Memorise Scripture, meditate on His names, and let Christ saturate your daily life. This steady focus keeps our hearts aligned with His, no matter the hour or circumstance.

In the space of a year, a month, a week or even a single day, our hearts can drift alarmingly far. The remedy is clear: realise what’s at stake, recognise your sin, remind the saints, and remain in the Saviour. These principles, practised regularly, guard our hearts and guide us into the life of peace that Christ has prepared for us.

Prayer

Lord, help me maintain unwavering trust in You today. Keep my heart soft and my eyes focused on Jesus. Help me notice and repent of small sins quickly. Strengthen my fellowship with others in You, and help me remain in Your presence, sharing fully in all that Christ has secured for me.

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