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What does the Bible say about the mind? This is a significant question that volumes could be written about. Years ago there was a commercial with the slogan "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." As you think about that statement, as Christians, you need to understand how important your mind is and how it sits at the center of everything you do.
The Bible puts great emphasis on the mind and how it affects your life. If you have any desire to be the man or woman God desires you to be, then you must understand how important a role your mind is going to play in that.
What does the Bible say about the mind?
1. The mind sets the course for your actions. Let's dig deeper into this question. You should note when the Bible talks about the mind, it can also refer to your thoughts, your intellect, your disposition, or your understanding. Regardless of which word you use to describe the mind, one thing is this it is true of each of them. Your mind sets the course for the actions you are going to take. These can be actions that are right or actions that are wrong. Here is an example from Romans: Romans 8:5 "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."
This verse clues us in to how the mind shapes your actions. When you think about and focus on what your flesh desires, then you will eventually indulge in actions that please your flesh. When you set your mind on what the Spirit desires, it will lead you to participate in actions that are pleasing to the Spirit.
Because your mind sets the course for your actions, that is why what you feed your mind is so important. It is the reason Paul wrote verses like these:
-- Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things."
-- Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Where your mind goes, your actions will soon follow, so you must use great care in what you think about and allow into your mind. We must ask ourselves, why am I feeding this stuff into my mind? When we allow the words of Philippians to run through our minds we come to the place where we say no to those things. You must recognize how important your mind is. What you put into it will greatly affect what comes out of it.
2. The mind is where you make your decisions. Another thing we must consider is that your mind is the center of your choices. Every time you choose, there is a point where you must make up your mind about what that decision will be. That is why renewing your mind is critical to making better choices.
Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Transformation in your life is about change. God will help you change your behavior and help you make better decisions, but you must change the way you think about things. This is the renewing of the mind that leads to transformation.
When God saves you, He renews your heart and positions you in the right relationship with Him. However, the process to change choices, actions and behaviors comes when you allow God to change your mind about how you view these things. This is called repentance, where you change your mind and change your course to follow Christ.
When you repent, you change your mind about how you look at your sin, and that change of mind leads to a change in the choices and decisions you make. Unfortunately, this also is true when Christians fall into sin. They change their mind about the sin they are considering and find a rationalization for indulging in it. Just as the mind sets the course for your actions, those actions are determined by decisions you make first in your mind.
3. The mind is at the center of everything you do. Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (NKJV)
This verse speaks further to the position your mind takes in your life. This cannot be emphasized enough. What you spend your time thinking about, you will eventually do. It is only a matter of time. When you strip away the elements of who you are, you discover the way you think affects the person you are and will eventually become.
Does God talk to us in our mind?
So often when we talk about spiritual things, we can forget that God communicates with us through our mind. Even though God may speak to your spirit, you must process what He said through your mind because that is where you decide how you will act on it.
For example, when the Holy Spirit makes you aware of your need for salvation there is a spiritual awakening. But you still have to process that decision to give your life to Christ in your mind in faith. Until this awareness of God's prevenient grace, we stay blinded in our minds until we begin to search for Him.
2 Corinthians 4:4 "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
When this veil is lifted from our minds by God's pull on our hearts, we can hear what God is saying, which allows us to choose how we will respond.
Can we sin in our minds?
Matthew 5:28 "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Jesus makes it clear that we can sin in our minds. Generally though it is through the entertainment of sin in our minds, and not rejecting it, that will carry that sin into action. James confirms this in his letter as well.
James 1:14-15 "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Once a desire is conceived, you must then quickly decide in your mind what you are going to do with it.
How can we set our Minds on the things of God?
You cannot set your mind on the things of God if you are constantly filling them with the things of the world. This means you just have to miss some things. What about certain movies, television shows, or internet sites? Do you feel grimy, like maybe the themes presented did nothing but appeal to the sensual things of this world? Would this be something you need to release?
If you are going to go after God with all your heart and mind, then you must release certain things from your life. I can't tell you what those things are, because they may be different for you than they are for me. But the Holy Spirit can and is very faithful to put his finger on certain things in your life.
The choice now lies with you, whether you will hold on or let them go. It might seem difficult at first, but once you do, you will recognize you are not really missing anything at all.
What does the Bible say about the mind? Even with the verses shared here we are just scratching the surface. I encourage you to give your mind the acknowledgement it deserves and don't neglect its role in the outcomes in your life. Whether you realize it or not, your entire life and who you will be depends on it.
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Rev. Don Grant of Hillview Wesleyan Church, Flemington.