Last blog post, we talked about how important your mindset is, but what does the Bible say about the mind in general? Well, a lot because how we think and utilize our minds determines how we execute our faith walk. It is crucial to align your thinking and mindset to biblical standards; otherwise, you will fail in this faith walk. So, without further delay, let’s learn what the Bible says about the mind!
We Have the Mind of Christ
To get started on the right path, we all must understand that we are the image of Christ as Christians. That doesn’t only mean in action but also within our minds because that is where it all starts. If we aren’t Christlike in our minds, how can we be Christlike in our actions? I Corinthians 2:16 says, “For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” With that being said, we know the mind of the Lord, or at least we should because we have the mind of Christ. We should know what is acceptable to God and what’s not because He’s given us His mind. And do you know just how amazing that is and how privileged we are because we have the mind of Christ? That means we can think outside of human norms; when we are faced with a problem, we’re not limited to human solutions. Through the mind of Christ, we have access to God’s answers because, through the mind of Christ, God instructs us! Don’t take it for granted; God will give you ideas and solutions that no regular person can come up with. He is giving us 24/7 access to His resources through having the mind of Christ. So nothing should slow you down or stump you; there is always a way out when you have the mind of Christ! Nothing will stop you when you have that kind of confidence concerning your faith walk!
A Peaceful Mind
Secondly, the Bible says that God has given us a peaceful mind. God didn’t make our minds to overthink and worry; we were made to cast all our cares onto God and find peace of mind through serving Him since we don’t have to be concerned with anything else. II Timothy 1:7, says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” It is unscriptural to have a fearful, weak mind, so things like anxiety and panic attacks, which start from the mind, are not of God. God gave us a sound mind, but when you meditate on things, not of God, that is when peace leaves. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” So, if you find yourself not at peace, not with a sound mind, then you must be focusing elsewhere and not on God. Redirect your attention and focus on the Most High so you can have a peaceful mind! There’s a reason why Christians have a rep for being happy and peaceful all the time; that is what God called us to be! Peaceful! I would recommend getting rid of anything or person that takes away your peace because it is not of God. Things of God will always give you peace of mind and joy; anything else you need to rebuke!
Furthermore, Romans 8:6, reads, “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Sin never brings peace; living a sinful carnal life only brings death. Eternal death, but also, depending on the sin, death to your peace of mind, bank account, organs, and the list can go on. When you focus on spiritual things, you’ll have peace and more life! It pays to live righteously but also to think righteously.
Think On Godly Things
As mentioned before, focusing on God is what’s going to bring you peace. The Bible says that our minds to stay focused on things above! Without being God-focused, there is no peace of mind, and there’s no getting around it. That’s why, on paper, things can go wrong in every way, but Christians will be at peace because they are focused on God and not their problems. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” So, as a guide, if your thoughts don’t align with this verse, don’t think about it. I know life can get complicated, but your response should be, God’s got it! I’m going to praise God for bringing me through! Don’t dwell on what went wrong; dwell on what God is about to turn around! Dwell on the fact that your trouble is about to be a testimony! Get some scriptures to lift your spirit and praise God for a great outcome! God didn’t make our minds to focus on the bad; as I said before, we are to cast our cares onto God and focus on the good! God’s goodness, to be more specific! A slight shift here, but James 1:6-8 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” When you dwell on all the bad and how terrible your situation is, you will receive nothing from God. Focusing on that is not utilizing faith, and God only responds to faith. By focusing on God entirely, we are stable, and one-minded.
You only become double-minded when you start to dwell on what God told you not to dwell on! He said to meditate on what is good, noble, praiseworthy, etc.! So meditate! Keep your mind stayed on Him! Doubting God will get you nowhere in life, and you will have an unstable mind if you don’t focus on God. You ever wondered why people are so crazy because they don’t have Jesus! Their mind is unstable, but as Christians, we are stable-minded and one-minded because we have Jesus! And through being firm in our spot, we will receive in faith!
Additionally, the Bible never tells us to go by our thoughts or what our minds tell us, but the Bible constantly tells us to be directed by how God thinks and His mind. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Don’t be directed by your understanding, but acknowledge God in all your ways so His understanding can direct you. We don’t know it all, but God does, so He will lead you in the best way possible. When you’re focused on Godly things, you’re also focused on what God tells you. Your mind is not your own when you’re a Christian; your mind belongs to God. Your whole being belongs to God, so you can no longer make a decision by yourself. You must make every decision with God! If you’re not concerned about what God thinks, then I would check that; that means your mind is not focused on Him, and that needs to change.
Renew Your Mind
Lastly, the Bible tells us to renew our minds. Once reborn, we must change our thought patterns to align with the Word of God. It can be challenging, but it is possible! Ephesians 4:23-24, says, “and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” By renewing our minds, we are recreating ourselves in the image of Christ. There is no other way to get closer to God and walk more in His image than renewing our minds. Because through renewing our minds, we are getting to know God more, coming out of darkness, and seeing the light of Christ. That’s why we are a new man, in true righteousness and holiness; the closer we are to God, the more righteous we are. That’s why the mind is essential; God knows that righteousness starts in the mind, so we must renew it. Thoughts turn into action, so what must we change to be better? Our thoughts!
Moreover, Romans 12:2, says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” God calls us not to be worldly anymore but to be different by renewing our minds. So, as mentioned before in Romans 8:6, we cannot think carnally anymore; we must think spiritually. We are transformed as we get to know God more and as our thoughts begin to align with His thoughts. As that happens, it’s harder to be worldly because our minds are becoming more like Christ, and Christ was never worldly.
II Corinthians 10:5 says that we are to “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”. So, as Christians, we cannot allow any kind of thoughts to pop up in our heads, or at least we cannot allow them to stay there. The Bible says we have the mind of Christ, so we must act accordingly and rebuke any thought that is not Christlike. Anything that contradicts the Word of God or God’s will for you, you must condemn it. That is part of renewing your mind, casting down any thought that is not of Christ. Make it a habit, and as you get to know God more, the more sensitive you will be to ungodly thoughts, and the easier it will be to rebuke them. I know we can’t control every thought that comes to our mind, but Romans 7:25 says, “I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” Through our minds, we are to serve God as well because our thoughts eventually turn into action. That’s why it is important not to let anything ungodly dwell in your mind, God wants us to stay pure and righteous, so any thought that doesn’t aid to that must be cast out! Renewing your mind can be difficult, but as I said, You can do it; stay in the Word, pray, listen to sermons, praise God, and keep your focus on God!
The mind is powerful, and if not guarded correctly or used properly, the devil will undoubtedly use it to attack you. Many things begin in the thought life, so be careful about what you dwell on. The Bible says we have the mind of Christ, that we are to have a peaceful mind, we must keep our minds on Godly things, and that we must renew it! It is possible, so next week we’ll discuss how you renew your mind exactly. See you next week, and be blessed!
Leave a comment