Introduction

It’s useful to remember that although the word ‘mind’ isn’t used in the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, it is implied in the word, ‘heart’. It’s not until we get to the New Testament that we get a deeper meaning toof the word ‘mind’.

As we know in today’s society there is an even greater understanding of the mind. Hence why mental health issues have risen over the years and there’s a big focus on mental wellbeing.

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your MIND.’ Luke 10:27

1. The state of our mind.

The human mind is one of the most incredible aspects of creation. It’s more powerful than the largest supercomputer, the human mind can solve great problems and make great discoveries.

However, if a person begins their thinking by refusing to acknowledge what they know to be true, that is, if they refuse to acknowledge there is a God, then the further away from God their reasoning will lead them.

When God created Adam and Eve, He created them with a mind to be able to choose wisely. However, as soon as Satan entered the scene, he corrupted their minds by placing doubts in their minds concerning God’s will for them, Genesis 3:1-5.

And mankind has struggled in their minds ever since concerning God’s will. In the New Testament, we find various words, which describe the state of our minds.

Because of sin, people’s minds have become futile, Romans 1:21, depraved, Romans 1:28, deluded, Colossians 2:4, and darkened, Ephesians 4:18.

Paul tells us that the effects of sin in our mind have had devastating consequences on how people view God and the world around them, Romans 8:5-7.

2. The cure for our mind.

If people’s minds have become futile, depraved, deluded and darkened, there’s only one option and that’s to renew our minds, Romans 12:2.

Paul uses the word ‘transformed’ which is, ‘metamorphoo’ and it simply means to change, to morph. And if we want to renew our minds we must fill our minds with the things of God.

If we want to renew our minds we must set our hearts and mind on things above, Colossians 3:1-2. Remember that Christians are in the middle of spiritual warfare and the Christian’s spiritual battle, the key element that is being fought over is the mind, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

Just as Satan appealed to Eve’s mind to get her to disobey God, he wants to deceive the Christian’s mind, 2 Corinthians 11:3. And so, our minds need to be renewed daily by God’s Word so that we aren’t conformed to the world and don’t adopt the world’s thinking patterns.

3. To have the mind of Christ.

Paul told the Corinthian church, which loved the wisdom of the world, that Christians are to ‘have the mind of Christ’, 1 Corinthians 2:16.

Although it may be a very easy thing to say, we must admit that it’s a real challenge for us to have the mind of Christ in our lives, all day, every day.

However, loving God with all of our mind means focusing our thoughts on Him. We think about His holiness, His goodness, His awesome works and creation.

Whatever is going on in your heart and mind will be reflected in your life, Proverbs 23:7. We are to love God with our thinking and reasoning, not just our emotions.

4. Train your mind.

Paul says we need to think about good things, not evil things, Romans 8:6. We’re to focus our entire mind on the things that please God.

To love God with our minds is to hold Him in high esteem, to think about Him with reverence and with adoration. The more we love God with our minds, the more we’ll love Him, and the more our desire will be to serve Him and obey Him as He desires.

In the Book of Philippians, there are 16 references to a person’s mind or thoughts. I believe that most Christians are much too indiscriminate about what they allow in their minds.

Paul implies that what we think about is our choice and we need to choose wisely on what we’re going to focus on, Philippians 4:8. The Bible says if you reap negative thoughts and gossip and criticism if that’s what you sow in your mind, you’re going to reap a negative and bitter spirit, Proverbs 4:23.

If we’re going to love God with all of our mind, then we need to think about those things which are good and fine about other people and think about all you can praise God for and be glad about it, Philippians 4:8. Don’t let your mind be a vacuum, don’t let Satan decide what you’re going to think about.

Remember that worldly thinking is something you used to do before you became a Christian, Ephesians 4:22-24. Start your day in the Word and put the Scripture in your heart, Psalm 143:5. Start your day praying to God asking for His Spirit to control your thoughts, Isaiah 26:3 / Colossians 4:2.

And when you find yourself tempted and listening to some gossip or to think something ugly about somebody, say a prayer for that person at that specific moment and God will start to work on your heart too.

‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your strength.’ Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Our love towards God is to be completely directed to God alone and is further indicated by the repetition of the word ‘all’ along with the terms ‘heart,’ ‘soul,’ and ‘strength’ in the same verse.

Sadly, when Israel forgot the Lord, things went from bad to worse, Jeremiah 2:32 / Jeremiah 23:27.

God wants us to love Him completely and if we claim to love Him completely, then we must obey Him completely, Jeremiah 17:10. We must love Him with everything we’ve got.

‘Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.’ 2 Kings 23:25

King Josiah gave it his all, He loved God with everything he had in accordance with God’s law, let me encourage you to do the same.