Bible Verses About Our Mind And Thoughts

 

How much do you think about your mind and thoughts and how important they are to God? The Bible is filled with verses that speak of the importance of our mind and thoughts. We see that God tests our minds in Psalm 26:2; Jeremiah 11:20; 17:10; 20:12.

 

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.

Psalm 26:2

 

O LORD of hosts, You who judge righteously, testing the mind and the heart.

Jeremiahs 11:20

 

I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind.

Jeremiah 17:10

 

O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous and see the mind and heart.

Jeremiah 20:12

 

For God to test our mind and thoughts reveals their importance to Him. We aren’t tested on unimportant things. We are tested on the things that matter most and hold the highest level of importance. Our mind and thoughts matter to God because what is in our mind has a radical effect in our lives.

 

I have to tell you that tests stress me out. They always did at every point of my education level. Timed tests were the worst. Too much pressure! When I was in Seminary, I always wanted to do my best and my grade mattered to me. However, one of my friend’s motto was, “D is for diploma.” Needless to say, my friend never stressed about a test. The reason I felt so much stress before a test was that I was unsure about what would be on the exam.

 

The good news about God testing our minds is that He gives us clear direction in His word about what He is looking for regarding our minds.

 

Two Mindset Options: A Carnal Mindset Or A Spirit Mindset

 

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. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:5-8

 

The carnal mind is governed by mere human nature and the Spirit mind means to be governed by the power of the eternal nature of the one true, triune God. The outcome of the two mindsets equates to equally radical extremes. The carnal mind equates to death and enmity against God and the Spirit mind equals life and peace. Scripture also shows us that we choose which of these two options we will have.

 

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2

 

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:5

 

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

Ephesians 4:23

 

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

 

Obviously, these Bible verses sound good especially since we choose Jesus which means we have chosen life and perfect peace. Yet other Bible verses such as Galatians 5:17 present a problem, telling us that the Spirit and our flesh are at war against one another within us. Just as God’s word shows us our issues and obstacles, His word also gives us bible verses to discover the answers and solutions to those same problems.

 

Spiritual Weapons Vs. Mental Strongholds

 

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

 

Strongholds and arguments are in the mind. Every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ is in the mind. Second Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us we have powerful weapons that bring thoughts opposed to Christ captive to the obedience of Christ. Bringing those thoughts captive to Christ point to who He is, Jesus’ character and nature that we see in John 1:1; 1:14; 14:6; and 17:17.

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1

 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,

the glory of the only begotten of the Father FULL of grace and TRUTH.

John 1:14

 

Jesus said to him,"I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14:6

 

Sanctify them by Your TRUTH. Your word is TRUTH. John 17:17

 

Let’s sum up the truth of those verses. Jesus is God. He was the Word of God made flesh full of grace and truth. He, the Word of God is the truth. As we bring this together with 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, let’s also see thatEphesians 6:17 says, the word of God is the Holy Spirit’s sword. Ultimately, we conclude that the truth of God’s word is one of our “mighty in God” spiritual weapons. Now, let’s talk through a few common mental strongholds.

 

A Stronghold of Fear and Anxiety

 

Fear left unchecked fills our mind with worst case scenarios, minimal possibilities, and lies that lead to anxiety. Anxiety and anxiousness have invaded our world like an unwelcomed guest who won’t leave. A mental stronghold of fear is a driver of anxiety.

 

Bible Verses You Can Use as Spiritual Weapons Against Fear And Anxiety:

  

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

 

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

 

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

Proverbs 29:25

 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

 

Strongholds in our minds and thoughts consume too much of our energy and have a negative, damaging effect on our personal, physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, even relational health and well-being.  Strongholds left unchecked lead to worse strongholds that eventually escape the mind and damage ourselves and others. Which reminds us of what Jesus said in John 10:10, the thief does not come except to steal, to kill, and to destroy. One primary way he does that is through strongholds.

 

But we have mighty in God weapons to combat these spiritual attacks and bring them captive to the obedience of Christ who is the Word of God and the Truth.   

 

 Prayer: 

Precious Heavenly Daddy,

Your word tells us that having a carnal mindset is the equivalent of setting our mind on death, but to have a spiritual mindset equates to life and peace. Lord, help us set our mind on things above, not on things on earth and be renewed in the spirit of our mind that the words of our mouth and meditations of our heart please You, in Jesus’ name. Amen! 

Much Love and Blessings,

Pat Domangue