Take Earnest Heed! Hebrews 2:1

Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The phrase “Let Him hear” is used 2X in the OT, and only used in the Gospels and the Revelation. It carries a sense of urgency. I believe that it carries the same weight as “Thus saith the Lord.” Pay attention to what the Lord is saying. Because we have been redeemed, we are the more obligated to the Lord to listen.

Take your spiritual live seriously. This is not some whimsical task that we can take it lightly! Our spiritual lives are significant in eternity, and affect the lives of those around us.

Diligence Is Required in Our Spiritual Lives - 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed - perisosterwV prosecein - Pres Act Inf - the more earnest, more exceedingly, more frequently. “Heed” is from proV and ecw meaning to hold the mind, pay attention to something important, to apply yourself to something critical, regard something as critical in your life. “Ought” describes necessity rather than obligation!

to the things which we have heard, -  "Therefore" indicates that there is an important connection between doctrine and the practical application," a relationship linking the truths of verses 1:1-14 and the information to be taught in chapter two. It is impossible to separate biblical doctrine from the activities of life. Doctrine is the cornerstone of good Christian living, and should lead the believer to the feet of Christ. In chapter 1 we found that Christ was superior to Angels. He is definitely God, not only the Son of God but God the Son, God the Father actually speaking to him calling him Lord. And because of this doctrinal preparation, Paul begins chapter 2 with the word Therefore. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard. DEM

Notice that he tells them to give earnest heed to the things which they have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Apparently some of the Jews who had heard the truth had let this truth just kind of slide by them without making any relevance to their lives. This word heard, means hearing amiss or imperfectly. Failing to hear by disobedience. As a matter of fact, this same word, the word To hear in this case comes from the same Greek word where we get the word disobedience. It's the same word that's used in verses 2 and 3, for the word disobedience, and is translated To hear. DEM

After the presentation of the doctrine in chapter one the author exhorts the readers to listen and obey the things that they have heard. He was concerned that they might drift away as a boat would drift from the harbor while it is not tied. He was not concerned that they might lose their salvation, but he was burdened that they not let the truths of God "slip" from performance in their lives. Some of these Hebrews had professed Christ, but were not saved. The writer warns them to grasp the truth of salvation, realizing that Jesus Christ is God the Son. It was also imperative for those who were saved to keep sound doctrine, and not drift away from their anchored position or fail in their commitment to Christ.
 
The words let them slip convey this meaning: flowing by like a river without taking heed to important things along the way. As a matter of fact in the Greek language, classical Greek, this word is used to describe the snow that slips off of a soldier's uniform. It's there, and it just falls off. The same word is used to describe walking through the forest, everything is still and quiet, and the snow slips off the tree and falls to the ground. I believe that the writer wants to teach these believers not to allow the truths of God to slip from performance in their lives. He wants them to see the truth in action in their lives.

Mt. 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Mt. 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mt. 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Mt 24:4 ¶ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Luke 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
2 Pet. 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

1 Cor. 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

1 Cor. 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Gal. 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Col 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

1 Tim. 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Heb. 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

lest at any time we should let them slip. - mh pote parappuwmen - Aor Pass Subj - to flow by or past, to glide by, 1X in N.T.

Don’t forget or neglect them, and lose the benefit of the things which you have learned. They are too precious to discard easily or lightly. Compare all that you have in Christ and all else is vanity and of no value. Never trade eternal truth to the false concepts and philosophy of the world. Don’t let the greatness of the truth which you have heard slip away as water out of a leaky vessel.  *Hebrews 4:1*

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: Prov. 3:21

View the teachings of Christ as being of great importance
Listen to the teachings of Christ diligently in all the opportunities
Read the teachings of Christ frequently
Meditate on the teachings of Christ and mix faith with them.
Retain the teachings of Christ in our memories
Live out our lives according to the teachings of Christ

Not following the teachings of Christ automatically generates a focus on other areas of life and other seeming areas of importance. However, we sustain a great loss if we do not take earnest heed to the things which we have heard: They will “leak” or be weakened in our thinking, letting other things to take over or have priority.

Our minds and memories are like a leaky vessel, and we must be concerned and careful what we allow to dominate our thinking. The hazard of neglect of the spiritual truths of Christ naturally comes from the corruption of our nature, the enmity and subtlety of Satan (he desires to steal away the word), from the entanglements and snares of the world, or the thorns that choke the good seed.

If we allow the great truths to slip from our minds, we lose a treasure far better than the riches of this world, the seed is lost, our lives become destitute, and are in danger of apostasy. Rather than brings the riches of truth to the church or the lost, we bring the world into the church and the truth is set aside for expediency. What happens when we neglect the truth or set the truth aside for human reason, or even what seems to be a good reason?