renew your mind
Posted by Emily Diehl on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Under: Mark 12:30
"...with all of your mind...."
How can I love with my mind? Love is almost always associated with hearts, and yet God asks that we love Him with our minds.
I used to pass over this part of the verse, but when I began to think of it, it made perfect sense. Not that I love with my mind more than my heart, but that the two go hand in hand.
Think ill of someone and eventually you will hate him with your heart and vise versa. Think well of someone and
eventually you will love them with your heart.
To be honest, my thoughts are not always good. My mind thinks evil things that my heart knows are wrong. Likewise,
my heart feels things that my mind knows are wrong. Either can be led astray without the other. Thanks be to God! My heart and mind are His dwelling place! I'm not alone!
"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 (Romans 12:2)."
The more I learn about God and get to know know Him and focus on Him throughout my day, the more I love Him.
I believe to love Him with my mind is to clear my thoughts of evil, selfishness, pride, ignorance, etc, and to fill it with
thoughts of Him. It is to study His Word and set my mind on acting on it no matter how I feel.
"...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 (Philipians 4:8)."
I believe God wants us to be watchful and wise, constantly re-reading His Word, keeping it in our minds, and seeking wisdom.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Mt. 10:16)."
Don't be fooled. Don't be ignorant. Follow God in wisdom and truth. Do not seek false knowlege. Pray for wisdom from the Source. The more you know Him and set your mind on Him, the more you will love Him without effort. It is an act of love that can be done at any time, at any place. Simply look to the skies and say, "I'm thinking of You."
And it's the thought that counts.
How can I love with my mind? Love is almost always associated with hearts, and yet God asks that we love Him with our minds.
I used to pass over this part of the verse, but when I began to think of it, it made perfect sense. Not that I love with my mind more than my heart, but that the two go hand in hand.
Think ill of someone and eventually you will hate him with your heart and vise versa. Think well of someone and
eventually you will love them with your heart.
To be honest, my thoughts are not always good. My mind thinks evil things that my heart knows are wrong. Likewise,
my heart feels things that my mind knows are wrong. Either can be led astray without the other. Thanks be to God! My heart and mind are His dwelling place! I'm not alone!
"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 (Romans 12:2)."
The more I learn about God and get to know know Him and focus on Him throughout my day, the more I love Him.
I believe to love Him with my mind is to clear my thoughts of evil, selfishness, pride, ignorance, etc, and to fill it with
thoughts of Him. It is to study His Word and set my mind on acting on it no matter how I feel.
"...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 (Philipians 4:8)."
I believe God wants us to be watchful and wise, constantly re-reading His Word, keeping it in our minds, and seeking wisdom.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Mt. 10:16)."
Don't be fooled. Don't be ignorant. Follow God in wisdom and truth. Do not seek false knowlege. Pray for wisdom from the Source. The more you know Him and set your mind on Him, the more you will love Him without effort. It is an act of love that can be done at any time, at any place. Simply look to the skies and say, "I'm thinking of You."
And it's the thought that counts.
In : Mark 12:30