Walking By Faith | Heeding Warnings Is a Biblical Mandate

"Most people do not take heed of the things they encounter, nor do they grasp them even when they have learned about them, although they suppose they do."  - Heraclitus, Greek philosopher of the late 6th century BCE

Many products that we use include warning labels. Even so, a lot of us simply choose to ignore them. We forget that the manufacturers have a reason for these messages: our safety and well-being.

A warning is something that alerts us to possible danger; that is, it serves to make one more cautious or vigilant. The Bible contains many warnings which are used in: complying to God's commands, heeding His counsel, or being alert to sin and temptation.

In the Scriptural narrative, the idea of “paying attention” or “giving heed” to warnings is an overarching theme that asserts the importance of obeying divine instruction, and the wisdom of well-informed individuals.

Also within the Bible are many occurrences where we see individuals and kingdoms receive warnings from God or His prophets. The consequences of their obedience to, or disregard of these warnings provide informative examples.

By and large, "heed," as used in the Bible, is the act of being attentive to, wary, or acknowledging the importance of something. The Hebrew word "שָׁמַר" (shamar), is often translated as "heed" in the OT. This can mean to keep, guard, or observe. 

A wonderful example of it being used as part of keeping God's commandments is shown in Deuteronomy 4:9. In Israel's history, prophets were sent by God to alert the people to the repercussions of defiance and idol worship (Jeremiah 25:8-11).

Sadly, the people often dismissed the prophets, leading to their eventual downfall and captivity. The Greek word "προσέχω" (prosechō), meaning to pay attention to, be cautious, or devote oneself to is frequently used in NT. 

More than once, Jesus exhorted his followers to heed his teachings, as in Luke 8:18. And we can't overlook John the Baptist cautioning the people to "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." This was an urgent call for repentance and spiritual readiness in preparation for the Messiah's arrival (Matthew 3:2).

Thus in the Bible, "paying attention to" or "heeding warnings" is more than just preventing negative consequences. It is deeply rooted in the sacred (covenant) bond between God and His people. 

Biblically speaking, today's believer is strongly encouraged to heed warnings, as they urge us to differentiate and obey. They are crucial to the Christian walk, encouraging believers to stay alert, follow God's commands, and agree with His objectives.

It demonstrates a heart that is sympathetic to God's voice, and is willing to voluntarily submit to His will. The admonishments (warnings) provide a way for grace, thereby allowing for the possibility of repentance and restoration.

Honestly, our discussion here by no means exhausts the usage of "heed" in the Bible. At the very minimum, I sincerely hope that I have conveyed the importance of this term as it is applied in Scripture.  

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:26-28; Proverbs 8:36; Isaiah 55:7; Ezekiel 3:17; James 1:22

Prayer: Dear Jesus, provide me the strength to put your words into action, not just listen to them. Help me to live them, and walk them in my life. Amen.

Sincerely with the Grace of God,

Sloane