What Does The Bible Say About The Mind (Part 2 Of 2)

In the previous blog post, we briefly discussed what science says about the mind and touched lightly on the term “neuroplasticity.”

In this blog post, let’s spend some time talking about the Bible and what the Bible says about your mind (thoughts, beliefs, mindsets, and attitudes).

Throughout the Bible, you’ll find a theme around the mind needing to be renewed. You’ll also find that “thoughts” should be taken captive and made obedient to Christ.

One of the fascinating things is that the Bible makes it so incredibly clear on what to think and what not to think and why. Whereas science can become very convoluted, making it extremely complex to fully understand and take direction. Meaning determining what the “benchmark” on healthy thoughts, healthy beliefs, and healthy mindsets is something left to the individual to figure out for themselves. Outside the Bible, you’ll hear “think positive” and many tips on how to create more positivity in order to have a positive mindset.

Understanding the fundamentals of neuroscience can be very helpful in understanding what’s going on in your mind (literally). But the blueprint of what will create a truly healthy mind may be easier to follow with what I share in this post. The Bible is specific and clear on the “positive mindset” and does not pull any punches on the results of NOT having a healthy mind.

The first instruction to make a note of is in 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV).

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

This first instruction requires us to get into the Word of God so we can even have “the knowledge of God” and know the difference in our thoughts being for or against this knowledge.

I remember when I first read this, my first feeling was panic, and my first thought was, “I have a ton of catching up to do!” I knew the Ten Commandments but not much else.

The second instruction to make a note of is two parts. Why I say two parts is that there is the instruction to renew your mind (part 1) and then how/what to renew your mind with (part 2). Take a look at Romans 12:2 (NIV).

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

This first part is about renewing your mind in order to be able to test and approve what is and is not God’s will. I found that pretty exciting to know that if we renew our minds properly, we will have the knowledge to be able to know God’s perfect will. That sounded much better than the results I was getting from my own will. How much better to strive to align with God’s will?

But how do we renew our minds to have the knowledge to align with God’s will? Let’s look at these three scriptures. These will lead you back to the answer that renewing your mind requires reading God’s Word, which you find in your Bible.

This second part of renewing your mind (the how/what part) is about the Word of God or God’s Word in the flesh (Jesus).

It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver], the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life.
-John 6:63 (AMPC)

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
– Psalm 19:7 (AMPC)

My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.
– Proverbs 4:20-22 (AMPC)

I mentioned that the Bible doesn’t pull any punches on the results of NOT having a healthy mind. Let’s look at this one last verse to get an idea of what an unhealthy mind looks like.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
– Romans 8:5-8 (NIV)

The good news is that life and peace are within all our reach …”but the mind governed by the Spirit [Holy Spirit] is life and peace.”

Check Out >>> “The Mind: What Does Science Say (Part 1 of 2)”