Why is your mind important to God

Scriptural principals for renewing your mind

Is the renewing of your mind important to know Gods will for your life?

How the N.T describes the ‘mind’

In the NT, the word “mind” is used to translate the Greek words dianoia (Mark 12:30) and psychē (Phil. 1:27), which are more often rendered “understanding” and “soul.” Still, the most prominent Greek words translated “mind” in the NT (and in the LXX) are terms related to nous (Rom. 1:28; 1 Cor. 2:16) and phronēma (Rom. 8:6–7, 27), both of which carry connotations of understanding (e.g., the capacity for mental perception) as well as the sense of attitude, outlook, or perception. In this sense, “mind” may describe one’s characteristic point of view or the standards by which one evaluates life and renders judgments. Paul, in particular, is concerned that Christians’ minds be transformed by a renewed dedication to the will of God (Rom. 12:2). In fact, Paul speaks of believers having the “mind of Christ,” by which he seems to mean that their outlook on all things has been transformed by Christ, so that it is now congruent with Christ’s perspective

Principles in scripture

Ro 12.2 “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.”

1 Co 2.16 “For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

Ro 8.5-7 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”

col 1.21 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled”

Col 3.2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Eph 4.22-23 “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,”

1 CH 28.9 ““As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.”

Promise:

Heb 8.10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

Warning:

Rv 2.23 “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He(Jesus) who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.”

Broaden your Understanding:

The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Volumes 1–5 (2. Ethical Sense)

The word ‘mind’ frequently occurs in an ethical sense—sometimes in connection with (sinful) flesh as in Col 2:18, “puffed up by his fleshly mind,” sometimes in direct contrast to it, as in Rom 7:25, ‘with my mind I serve the law of God; with the flesh the law of sin.’ In Tit 1:15 it is brought into parallelism with conscience (“Their mind and their conscience are defiled”). Phrases like “a reprobate mind,” “corrupted in mind” occur elsewhere (Rom 1:28; 1 Tim 6:5). From this state of “reprobation” and “corruption” man must be saved. Hence the necessity of complete transformation and renewal of the inner man (Rom 12:2), “transformed by the renewing of your mind [nous].

Prayer & Meditation:

Ps 26.2 “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.”

Ps 19.14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Famous Quotes

The whole trouble with humanity is that is has lost its true mind, it has become insane. It needs to get back the mind it once had. The mind needs to be restored to a condition which has been lost.

Christian Conduct, 106

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones