MIND AND THOUGHTS
Is the mind important to God, in terms of living the Christian life
properly (biblically)?
“Mind” (Gk. word “nous”)
denotes, generally speaking, the center of reflective consciousness,
comprising the faculties of perception and understanding, and those of judging,
feeling, and determining.
In the New Testament, its use may be analyzed as follows:
1.
the faculty of knowing, the
seat of the understanding – Lk. 24:45; Rom.
2.
counsels, purpose – Rom.
3. the new nature of the Christian by reason of his spiritual conversion – Rom. 7:23-25.
4.
thought or design (Gk. “noema”)
– 2 Cor.
5. the thought, what one has in the mind; or an object of thought (Gk. “phronema”) – Rom. 8:6.
Prov.
12:8 What will happen to a person with a perverse (twisted, distorted, or perverted) mind (heart, perception, or understanding)?
Do
you despise (view as
repugnant/distasteful) people who have a perverse mind?
Is your mind ever perverse? If so, why?
Prov.
Are you seeking (beneficial) knowledge? If so, where do you look for it?
And
where is the best place you should look for (beneficial)
knowledge, in general?
Or, do you feed on (spend time thinking about) folly (foolishness; evil)?
Prov. 16:9 What
does the mind of man plan?
But what does the Lord do?
Have you ever noticed how you made plans to do something, but the Lord determined what you actually did?
Prov.
Do you know of people whose crooked minds got
them into trouble? If
so, why do you think this happens?
Prov. 23:31-33 What will drunkenness lead your mind to do?
Have you ever observed or been told by people who have been drunk that drunkenness led to mental problems, such as hallucinations or imagining confusing (abnormal) things or saying distorted/improper/perverted things?
Why can alcohol have this kind of effect?
How can this be prevented (see Eph.
Jer.
Are you aware that God knows your innermost thoughts and motives, and can, therefore, justly render to you what your deeds deserve? How will knowing this affect your behavior and motives from now on?
Matt. 16:21-23 Why
did Jesus say to Peter, “Get behind Me Satan”?
[Peter’s trying to thwart the crucifixion of Jesus, as Satan had
earlier tried to do in 4:8-10, resulted from not
thinking from God’s viewpoint. Peter was
carried away by human views on how to set up Christ’s kingdom.].
Do you ever find yourself setting (fixing) your mind (views, thoughts) on man’s interests (human views) rather than on God’s interests (values and perspectives)? If so, when, what, and why?
Matt. 22:35-37 What did Jesus say is the great commandment in the Law?
Do you love God with all your mind (understanding and thoughtfulness)?
Have
you thought through what the Bible says is the way we should love (seek the best interests of) God?
Are you thoughtfully loving God by your obedience
to Him (Jn.
Mk.
What
had demons previously caused this man to do in verse 5?
What does this tell you about the influence of
demons on a person’s mind?
Have you ever experienced demons influencing your
mind? If so, how, or in what way(s)?
Acts
Are
you of one mind (view, thinking,
agreement) with the Christians you fellowship with in all areas that the
Bible teaches?
Why
do you think that they were able to be of one mind (same view or agreement) – see
If all Christians submitted to the same correct
Bible teaching and interpretation, do you think we’d all be of one mind as
well?
Rom. 8:5-7 Those
who live according to the flesh (sinful
nature) set (fix, occupy) their
mind (thoughts, aspirations, mind-set)
on what?
Specifically,
what are the things of the flesh/sin nature (Gal.
What does the mind set on the flesh result in? Why?
[“death” – spiritually; separation from God, Isa. 59:2; Rom.
Though the mind set (fixed) on the flesh (sinful
nature) results in spiritual death, what does the mind set on the Spirit
result in?
What is your mind set (fixed, absorbed, occupied) on? How
often, and why?
Rom. 12:2 How
are we Christians to be transformed (totally
changed from the inside out)?
Are you renewing (changing to new or God-like) your mind (thoughts, attitudes, motives)? If so, how?
How
can and should you renew your mind – Psa. 119:11, 15, 16?
Why that (Jn.
Rom. 14:5 What
should each Christian be fully convinced about in his own mind (thinking)?
Do you view Sunday as the Lord’s Day and, therefore, the only day to set aside to worship God, or do you hold everyday as the Lord’s Day and worship Him?
Have you thought through the basis for your view, so that you are fully convinced of why you hold that position?
Why should you be fully
convinced of the view you take (see
Rom. 15:5 What
did Paul hope that God would grant these Christians at
[Paul hoped this because of the differences discussed in 14:2-6].
Are you of the same mind (like-minded, thinking the same) with the Christians you fellowship, according to (just like) Christ Jesus (who desired His Father’s will rather than His own will)?
[Christians can be of the same mind (like-minded) with one another by
studying the Bible in context, being taught the truth by gifted teachers,
teaching others the truth, and rejecting factious people (Acts 17:11; Jn. 17:17;
Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Tim. 6:2c-5; 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16, 17; 4:2-4; Titus 1:9; 3:9-11).].
1 Cor.
Are the Christians in your fellowship group of the same mind (view – as to the things believed) and the same judgment (decision – as to what is to be done) in all things/areas that the Bible teaches?
Does your fellowship group believe the same things regarding evangelism, building believers up spiritually, priorities, salvation, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, His ministries and spiritual gifts, man’s nature and will, the Bible, eternal security, baptism, etc.?
If you’re not of the same mind (view) on these issues, what can you do to help make your fellowship to be of the same mind and judgment (see above passages in the Rom. 15:5 footnote)?
1 Cor. 2:14-16 Whom do spiritual Christians have the mind of (the capacity to understand and accept
spiritual truths)?
[“the mind of Christ” – regarding truth as
revealed to us by the Bible].
If you’re a spiritual Christian (controlled by the Holy Spirit rather than by your sin nature), are you better able to understand and accept God’s Word, the Bible, than you were before becoming a spiritual Christian?
If so, what specifically (what truths/principles)?
Eph. 4:17-24 These Ephesians were taught
to lay aside (put off) the old self (the unsaved life-style) and to be what
(vs. 23)?
Are you being made new in the spirit (attitude) of your mind (understanding/thinking)? If so, how,
and how often?
Phil.
Are you standing firm in one spirit (attitude/purpose),
with one mind (passion/affection/disposition)
striving with your fellow Christians for the faith (spread) of the gospel?
If not, how can you develop such a oneness of mind (passion) for the gospel’s spread?
Phil. 2:2 How were these Christians to make Paul’s joy complete?
Are you making your spiritual leader’s joy complete by being of the same
mind (like-minded; thought) as he, on
all issues that the Bible clearly addresses? Why?
Phil. 2:3 With what kind of mind (attitude) are we to regard (consider) others as more important than ourselves?
Do you see by now how important our mind is in being able to live the Christian life properly in obedience to God?
Phil. 4:8 What are we to let our mind (thoughts) dwell on?
Name some specific things that would fall into these categories?
True (Gk. “alethe”) means actual, true to fact, conforming to reality, factual” (Vine, Unger, & White’s, An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, p. 1170). It means not false and has its norm in God (W. Hendriksen, NT Commentary – Philippians, p. 198).
Examples: Church history; the
kind, gracious, corrective words or actions of people toward either you or
someone else; people’s experiences or lessons learned that could benefit you
morally/spiritually/relationally; people’s words or deeds that could be
spiritually motivating to your well being; the Bible; God’s attributes;
Christian biographies; conversion testimonies.
Honorable (Gk. “semnos”) means a noble seriousness, worthy of reverence (Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, vol. 2, “Philippians”, p. 110). It means “dignified, serious – in speech and behavior (NT Commentary – Philippians, p. 198).
Examples: Either a sermon on or thinking about on your own, that of
reaching the lost with the gospel; God, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit and
their attributes or works; people’s gracious, kind, or generous acts toward
others; Christian people’s sacrificial giving of themselves (their time,
talents, treasures) to build up and/or train other Christians; the Bible; the
Christian’s purpose in life and priorities; martyrs for the Christian faith;
hell, heaven, eternity.
Right (Gk. “dikaios”) means “that which is in conformity to God’s standards” (J. Walvoord & R. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, NT, p. 664). It means “just, fair, that which is in harmony with God’s will and law”(NT – Philippians, p. 198).
Examples: Situations or circumstances where people either said or did
the right thing even though under pressure or tempted to say/do the wrong
thing; accomplishing goals or objectives in a legitimate way; solving a problem
or counseling a person the way God would want; having the proper
attitude/motives for something you will be doing or saying; the Bible;
performing some action/decision in a fair or proper way.
Pure (Gk. “hagna”) means “wholesome, not mixed with moral impurity” (Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 664). It means “not defiled or contaminated, free from fault/sin/evil” (An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, pp. 903, 175).
Examples:
How you can help someone in need because you love them Christianly; edifying
conversations, hymns, or spiritual songs; biblical sermons/speeches; God’s
creation or nature scenes; the Bible; cassette tapes on Christian growth;
people as God’s wonderful creations; living a holy/obedient life for God; how
to act biblically/correctly in different kinds of situations.
Lovely (Gk. “prosphile”) means “what promotes peace rather than conflict” (Bible Knowledge Commentary, NT, p. 664). It means “that which inspires love” (Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 1330). It means “pleasing” (An Expos. Dict. of Biblical Words, p. 695).
Examples:
God’s creation or nature; how to increase group morale and/or unity; what you
could say to compliment/encourage someone; what someone said/did to comfort or
encourage you; saying or doing something nice for someone who dislikes you;
how you can reconcile a broken relationship; doing a special act of kindness
for a needy person or to someone who’s in full-time Christian work; the Bible;
how you can please your spiritual leader or others.
Good repute (Gk. “euphema”) means “what is positive and constructive, admirable”(Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 664). It means “uttering words of good report or fair-sounding or good reputation” (An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, p. 953).
Examples:
Good things said about another person; a biblical sermon/talk/seminar;
someone’s biblical advice to you or correction of you; the Bible itself;
someone’s wise instruction; helpful lessons learned in life shared; Christian
biographies or testimonies; witnessing experiences; tips on money management
to be a good steward for God; someone’s complimentation of another person.
Excellence (Gk. “arete”) means “virtue; good in it” (Jamieson, Fausset, & Brown, Commentary on the Whole Bible, p. 1312). It means “moral/spiritual excellence; virtue” (NT Commentary – Philippians, p. 199)
Examples:
People’s plans to serve God or to obey the Bible; a right decision made; a good
deed performed by someone; a speech said that was biblical (i.e., true, loving,
etc.); character changes in the lives of Christians; Christ-like traits
displayed.
Are these the kind of things that you are having your mind to dwell upon?
Col. 2:18 What kind of mind is inflated (puffed up) without cause because this person has supposedly seen some unusual things (i.e., visions)?
Do you know of anyone who because of a fleshly (carnal, unspiritual) mind has claimed to have seen God, Jesus, Mary, etc.?
[Don’t let these kinds of people
sidetrack you from getting your prize in heaven, by leading you astray into
mystical, religious experiences. Stick with the clear and correct teachings of
God’s Word, the Bible.].
Col. 3:2 What are and what aren’t we to set (fix, concentrate) our minds (affections, concerns) on?
Are you
fixing/concentrating your mind/concern on eternal, spiritual values, such as
those qualities listed in verses 10-12; and Rom. 14:17; or on fleshly lusts,
such as those listed in verse five?
How can you train yourself to focus your mind/affections on heavenly, spiritual values?
Will you? When?
Titus
Looking back,
can you see how your mind/thinking and conscience/ moral awareness was corrupted
before you became a Christian?
How has your conversion affected your mind/thinking?
Lk. 24:33, 44, 45 What did Jesus do to the minds of the 11 apostles and some other disciples who were with them?
What does this show about the importance of the mind (perception faculty) and its relationship to understanding the Scriptures?
Has your mind (spiritual capacity and perception faculty)
been opened (illuminated) to be able
to understand the real meaning of the Bible?
When (1 Cor.
If you’re a spiritual/Spirit-filled Christian who responds in faith and action to what you hear from the Bible, you’ll be given more truth with understanding (L. Morris, Tyndale NT Commentaries – Luke, p. 168; N. Geldenhuys, The New International Commentary on the NT – Luke, p. 248).
2 Cor. 3:12-16 What does it say about the minds of both the ancient Israelites as well as present day Jews of Paul’s day?
How could this situation be remedied by either a Jew or anyone today (vs. 16)?
How can a person turn to the Lord
so as to have the veil of unbelief taken away (see Eph. 2:8, 9; Jn.
When did you turn to Christ in faith because God the Father was drawing you to Him?
2 Cor. 4:3, 4 What has Satan (the god of this world) done to the minds of the unbelieving?
Have you ever clearly presented the gospel to some non-Christian, only to
have them not grasp what you’ve simply explained?
2 Cor. 11:3, 4 What was Paul afraid might happen to these Christians?
How can you
prevent your mind from being deceived and led astray into false teachings (see Acts
Are you taking these precautionary measures? If so, how often?
1
Pet.
Is your mind
prepared for action to do spiritual battle against the ungodly world system,
the devil, and your own sin nature with its evil lusts?
Are you putting out of your mind all that would impede the progress of your Christian growth, things such as: worry, fear, jealousy, hate, impurity, unforgiveness, greed, and disobedience to the commands of God for Christians in general?
How can you prepare yourself for tough-minded holiness in the spiritual battle?
Prov. 23:7 How does what a person thinks affect him?
Since what a person thinks is what they are, what should we do so that we
become the way God wants us to be, Josh. 1:8; Psa. 119:11, 15, 23, 48, 97, 99,
148?
Are you meditating on God’s Word, the Bible? If so, how often?
How often do you think would be good – Psa. 1:2? Why?
Matt.
How could wrong thinking in this area have affected Jesus’ disciples?
If you thought
that Jesus came to bring peace on the earth and then you, as a Christian,
experienced conflict with others (
So do you see that how you think vitally affects you as a person?
Matt. 17:24-27 Does Jesus try to get His disciple Peter to think, and why?
Is it important
for Christians to think through issues and situations so that they will act or
respond properly (in a godly, Christ-like
way) and not offend people unnecessarily? Why
(1 Cor.
Do you have an inflated view of yourself?
[Because each member of the
Christian body (church) functions to serve the Christian body (fellow
Christians) and each has a differing function, therefore, we all (Christians)
need each other to grow and minister to others most effectively. Therefore,
it’s important to think soundly about oneself and to evaluate properly
God’s gifts and their uses – 12:3-8. (The measure of faith given by God
corresponds to the task given each believer.)].
Do you think that you are a self-sufficient Christian and either don’t need anybody else or can teach, train, and evangelize the world by yourself? Why?
Rom.
14:2, 3, 14 To the Christian who thinks that some kinds
of food (i.e., meat, etc.) are
unclean (see Acts
Can you see how important your thinking is to living the Christian life?
[Even some things that are not wrong to do according to the Bible,
God’s Word, can become wrong to the person who thinks that they are wrong –
Rom. 14:23.].
1 Cor.
[Childish thinking is self-centered, short-sighted, and seeks immediate
gratification.].
Is your thinking childish or mature? How do you
know?
How can a Christian develop mature thinking (Psa. 119:99)?
Are you continually meditating upon and studying
God’s Word, the Bible, so as to properly understand, interpret, and apply it?
1 Cor. 10:6, 11, 12 What
should a Christian who thinks that he’s above (safe from) committing a particular sin do?
Do you think that you are so strong of a Christian
that you’d never give in to a particular sin, and why?
Gal. 6:3 When does a person
deceive himself?
Have you ever been deceived into thinking that you’re above failure, error, or sin?
Or, have you ever thought
that you’re a really good Christian because in comparison to the people around
you, you stand out as being more knowledgeable about the Bible or more
disciplined in not committing the external, observable sins that they do?
How
should you think about yourself (vs. 4;
Rom. 12:3)?
Jas.
Do
you consider yourself religious/spiritual?
If
so, do you ever engage in gossip, slander, swearing, dirty jokes, belittling
other people, etc.?
Do
you still think that you are a religious/spiritual person? Why?
Acts
Have you ever had wrong thoughts about the
Christian life, the ministry, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
For example, have you ever wanted to speak in tongues; get a revelation directly from God; heal someone by laying your hands on that person and declaring them healed; prophesy; or perform a miracle – even though all of these spiritual gifts no longer exist in this period of history (since they ended by AD 100 or earlier)?
How can you have right
thinking rather than wrong thoughts about these or any other biblical issues (see Acts
Lk.
What do both sets of passages tell you about the
importance of thinking, analyzing, and reasoning?
2 Cor. 10:3-5 The
weapons (God’s Word and prayer – Eph.
[Paul is destroying/demolishing speculations (erroneous human opinions; arguments) and every lofty thing (pretension; Judaic self-righteousness & humanistic philosophic opinions) raised (that sets itself) up against the knowledge (truth) of God, (the truth of the gospel).].
How or for what purpose does Paul say that he takes every thought captive?
Are you renouncing dependence on your own understanding (Prov. 3:4, 5; 1 Cor. 1:18-25) and submitting instead to the teachings of Christ (i.e., Jn. 3:3, 7, 14, 15; 6:47; 11:25, 26; 14:6) for your salvation?
Are you taking all of your thoughts about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, man, etc. captive to the obedience of Christ (obeying His teachings)? Why?
Psa. 119:9 How
can a young person keep his life/way pure?
And how are we to keep our lives pure according to God’s word (vs. 11)?
Are you treasuring/hiding
God’s word in your heart/mind so that you don’t sin against God? How?
Do you have a Scripture
memory program, whereby you are systematically memorizing key verses out of the
Bible?
If so, what is it?
Or, are you reading
through the whole Bible again and again in order to constantly review and
refresh your memory of God’s truths?
If so,
how often?
By now, it should be
obvious that our minds/thoughts are an important part of our being in order to
live the Christian life properly (biblically,
godly, spiritually). And that God’s
Word, the Bible, plays a major role in renewing/programming our minds/thoughts
to be where God wants them to be, so that we can live and worship right.
What do you plan to do
now that you know what God thinks about your mind/thoughts?
Will you spend a lot
more time reading, studying, meditating upon, and memorizing God’s Word on a
daily basis?
If so, when will you
start?
In the
following passages, what shows that God wants us to use our minds (be logical,
reasoning, thinking, explanatory, analytical)?
Matt.
22:37
Isa.
1:18
Acts
17:1-4; 18:4
Acts
Acts
19:8-10
Acts
11:2-4
Luke
1:1-4
Luke
24:27, 32; Mk. 4:34