In biblical terminology, the concept of "heeds" is closely associated with attentiveness, careful consideration, and obedience to God's word and commandments. The term is often used to emphasize the importance of listening to and following divine instructions, as well as being vigilant against spiritual and moral dangers.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "heed" is "שָׁמַר" (shamar), which means to keep, guard, or observe. This term is frequently used in the context of obeying God's laws and commandments. For instance, in Deuteronomy 4:9 , Moses instructs the Israelites, "Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren."

The call to heed God's commandments is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature as well. Proverbs 4:20-21 states, "My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "προσέχω" (prosechō) is often used to convey the idea of taking heed or being attentive. Jesus frequently admonished His followers to be watchful and heed His teachings. In Luke 21:34 , Jesus warns, "But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a trap."

The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of taking heed in the context of spiritual vigilance and doctrinal purity. In 1 Timothy 4:16 , Paul advises Timothy, "Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you."

Heeding as Obedience and Vigilance

Heeding God's word is not merely about listening but involves active obedience and a commitment to living according to His will. James 1:22 underscores this by stating, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves."

The concept of heeding also encompasses vigilance against false teachings and spiritual complacency. In Hebrews 2:1 , believers are exhorted, "We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."

Practical Implications

For believers, taking heed involves a daily commitment to studying Scripture, prayer, and applying biblical principles to one's life. It requires a heart that is open to correction and guidance from the Holy Spirit. The act of heeding is both a personal and communal responsibility, as believers are called to encourage one another in faithfulness and obedience.

In summary, the biblical concept of heeding is integral to a life of faith, characterized by attentiveness to God's word, obedience to His commands, and vigilance against spiritual dangers.5083. tereo -- to watch over, to guard
... word teros (a guard) Definition to watch over, to guard NASB Word Usage continue
(1), guard (1), guards (1), heed (2), heeds (1), held in custody (1), keep (27 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5083.htm - 10k8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... 1), give heed (2), giving heed (1), guard (20), guarded (7), guards (4), guardsmen
(1), have charge (1), heed to yourself and keep (1), heeds (1), hoarded (1 ...
/hebrew/8104.htm - 7k

The First Great Group of Parables.
... Of the four hearts indicated, the first one hears, but heeds nothing; the second
one heeds, but is checked by external influences; the third heeds, but is ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/liv the first great group 2.htm

Beside the Still Waters.
... perhaps hardly as much as"the perpetually dropping rain, the wind that seems to
blow as it listeth, the tides that come and go and no man heeds them, the sun ...
/.../beard/beside the still waters/beside the still waters.htm

The Lord's Prayer. Our Father who Art in Heaven.
... Why should I pray? Who knows whether God heeds or will hear my prayer?
If I do not pray, some one else will. And thus they fall ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the lords prayer our father.htm

Why the Divine Invitation is Refused.
... be required of thee;" but far worse if a man in this short and fleeting earthly
life misses hearing the divine invitation, and so little heeds this significant ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xix why the divine invitation.htm

Almsgiving and Forgiveness
... can. Thus one heeds God's command: "Love your enemies, do good to them that
hate you, and pray for them that persecute you." [159]. ...
/.../handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xix almsgiving and forgiveness.htm

On the Feast of the Holy Martyr, St Laurence
... He who desires to keep himself unspotted, must let all outward visible things pass
by, and must force his way on, as through things that he heeds not, while he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xvi on the feast.htm

I am So Glad, Dearest Celine
... I repeat, it is the world that is insane, because it heeds not what Jesus
has done and suffered to save it from eternal damnation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/xx i am so glad.htm

He was Transfigured
... The dew is heavy upon His bowed form, but He heeds it not. The shadows of night
gather thickly about Him, but He regards not their gloom. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 46 he was transfigured.htm

The Control of the Temper
... A fool gives way to his wrath, But a wise man restrains his anger. A fool's anger
is known at once, But a sensible man heeds not an insult. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the control of the temper.htm

The Conversion of S. Paul
... With lips firm closed and fix??d eye,. Like warrior when the fight is nigh,. Nor
talk nor landscape heeds. What sudden blaze is round him pour'd,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cclxxxiv the conversion of s.htm

Heeds (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Heeds (9 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way
of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray. ...
/h/heeds.htm - 8k

Correction (26 Occurrences)
... WBS). Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but
he who forsakes reproof leads others astray. (WEB ASV NIV). ...
/c/correction.htm - 15k

Reproof (29 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who
forsakes reproof leads others astray. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). ...
/r/reproof.htm - 15k

Heel (8 Occurrences)

/h/heel.htm - 12k

Liar (18 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 116:11 I said in my haste, "All men are liars." (Root in WEB KJV JPS
ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Proverbs 17:4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. ...
/l/liar.htm - 11k

Forsakes (7 Occurrences)
... RSV). Proverbs 10:17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he
who forsakes reproof leads others astray. (WEB). Proverbs ...
/f/forsakes.htm - 8k

Trusts (35 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 16:20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/trusts.htm - 15k

Refuses (21 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 13:18 Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline,
but he who heeds correction shall be honored. (WEB). ...
/r/refuses.htm - 12k

Evildoer (9 Occurrences)
... Jerusalem. (See RSV NIV). Proverbs 17:4 An evildoer heeds wicked lips. A liar
gives ear to a mischievous tongue. (WEB NAS RSV). Isaiah ...
/e/evildoer.htm - 9k

Despises (16 Occurrences)
... poor. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father's correction,
but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. (WEB RSV). ...
/d/despises.htm - 11k

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