The Torah Network

2 yrs

MIND

In the narrowest sense of the word, this means one’s thinking processes. In the broadest sense, one’s mind is one’s heart and soul; one’s entire being. In our culture, we often speak of the mind as the place where thinking takes place, as opposed to the heart, where feelings are created. The Old Testament does not take this view. In Hebrew, there was no separate word for the human mind. In fact, Hebrew writers seem to have thought of the mind and heart as the same thing -- 1 Samuel 2:35; Ezekiel 11:5; Ezekiel 20:32. A person’s mind is that person’s entire inner self, especially the will and memory -- Isaiah 46:8; Isaiah 65:17; Jeremiah 3:16. The idea of mind appears quite rarely in the Gospels and when it does, it is mostly in connection with the heart; for example, the imaginations of the heart -- Luke 1:51. The only other use of the word mind in the Gospels comes in Yeshua’ great Commandment: You shall love Adonai your YHVH with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind -- compare Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27. In saying this, Yeshua was quoting from -- Deuteronomy 6:5, but that verse does not have the phrase with all your mind. In Mark however, the questioner repeats Yeshua’ Command, but with a word for understanding in place of the word for mind -- Mark 12:33. In Paul’s writings though, the Greek idea of mind; as something different from the body, the heart and the spirit; begins to appear. Paul, like many ancient Greek philosophers, thought of the mind as something different from the spirit; it has the ability to understand and to reason, to think -- 1 Corinthians 14:14-19. It is the seat of intelligence. In other places, mind is used in a broader sense including all of a person’s mental and moral processes -- Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23.

A human’s actions come from the inclinations of his or her mind. Whether a person is good or evil depends on the state of the mind. The state of a person depends upon what or who controls the mind. Romans 8:6-7 -- speaks of a person’s mind being controlled either by the flesh or by the Spirit. The person whose mind is controlled by the flesh is evil. The mind controlled by the Spirit leads to good. Other passages describe the inclination of a person’s mind being controlled by the god of this world -- 2 Corinthians 4:4. People whose minds are controlled by the god of this world will have their minds darkened and will not be able to understand the world as it really is -- 2 Corinthians 3:14. It is like a veil over one’s understanding. But Adonai can open people’s minds. For example, Yeshua opened the minds of the disciples who walked the Emmaus Road with Him so that they could understand the Scriptures -- Luke 24:45. For Paul, conversion is considered to be a renewing of the mind -- Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23. In both cases, the process is one in which YHVH takes control of the mind of a person through Ruach HaKodesh and leads the thoughts of that person in the right direction. Thus, the renewed person is given the ability to know YHVH’s will. Such people have new minds and can make spiritual discernments -- 1 Corinthians 2:15-16.

According to the Bible, How Should we Develop Our Minds?

Our Relationship With YHVH Needs to Influence The Way we Think:

Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let YHVH transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what YHVH wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is. -- Romans 12:2. Believers are told: Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, which are usually selfish and often corrupting. Many believers wisely decide that much worldly behaviour is off limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values however, must go even deeper than the level of behaviour and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind. It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn and arrogant. Only when Ruach HaKodesh renews, re-educates and redirects our mind are we truly transformed -- see Romans 8:5.

As Believers We Should Have The Mind of Moshiach:

We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can’t understand us at all. How could they? For, ‘Who can know what Adonai is thinking? Who can give Him counsel?’ But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Moshiach. -- 1 Corinthians 2:15-16. No one can comprehend YHVH -- Romans 11:34, but through the guidance of Ruach HaKodesh, believers have insight into some of YHVH’s plans thoughts and actions; they in fact, have the mind of Christ. Through Ruach HaKodesh we can begin to know YHVH’s thoughts, talk with Him and expect His answers to our prayers. Are you spending enough time with Moshiach to have His very mind in you? An intimate relationship with Moshiach comes only from spending time consistently in His presence and in His Word.

The Believer’s Mind is Characterized by Humility:

Your attitude should be the same that Moshiach Yeshua had. -- Philippians 2:5. Yeshua Moshiach was humble, willing to give up His rights in order to obey YHVH and serve people. Like Moshiach, we should have a servant’s attitude, serving out of love for YHVH and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served or you can look for opportunities to serve others. -- See Mark 10:45 for more on Moshiach’s attitude of servant-hood.

The Believer’s Mind is Characterized by Purity and Truth:

Dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. -- Philippians 4:8. What you put into your mind determines what comes out in your words and actions. Paul tells us to program our mind with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, books, conversations, movies and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Above all, read YHVH’s Word and pray. Ask YHVH to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.

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Joe Pena