Take heed in the Bible

Introduction
To take heed means to give serious attention to warnings, advice, some realities or facts or situations on ground and take them into account when acting. It means to be careful and precautious, to take care and ensure that certain things are done or not done to avoid ugly effects or unpleasant results. Many people take many things for granted. They take actions without due considerations of the consequences and effects, both on themselves and others.

There are many “Take heeds” in the Bible, which indicate different areas in which the people of God are to watch it in their lives. They (as used in NKJV) include:
Exod. 34:12: “Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst.”

Num. 23:12: “…Must I not take heed to speak what the LORD has put in my mouth?”
Deut. 4:9: “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.”

Deut. 4:19: “And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and serve them…”

Deut. 12:13: “Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see”
Deut. 12:19: “Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.”
Josh. 22:5: “But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

2Chron. 19:6: “…Judges, ‘Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD…’”
Isa. 7:4: “…Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be fainthearted…”
Mal. 2:15: “… Take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth.”
Matt. 6:1: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Matt. 18:10: “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.”
Matt. 24:4: “Take heed that no one deceives you.”
Mark 13:33: “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”

Luke 11:35: “Therefore, take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.”
Luke 12:15: “…Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
Luke 21:34: “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.”

Acts 20:28: “Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”
1Cor 3:10: “… I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.”
1Cor. 10:12: “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Col. 4:17: “…Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfil it.”
1Tim. 4:16: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”The Venerable Dr Princewill Onyinyechukwu Ireoba, FIMC, CMC. is the Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.
princewillireoba@gmail.com, trinityfoundationibrucentre@gmail.com