When asked what is the greatest of all commandments, Jesus responded, Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 NIV
Heart” represents the control center of human personality, “soul” the self-conscious thought life, “mind” the thought
capacity, and “strength” all of one’s bodily powers. These are to be the sources out of which love for God should flow.
We should love God with all our will (decisions), emotions (desires), minds (thoughts), and bodies (actions). Dr.
Thomas Constable, Constable’s Notes.
Jesus then is saying to “love God” is to “think about God.” And not just casual thought because “all” implies that our
entire thought process should be used as a source to show our love for God. A good question to ask now is, how can
we make this happen? The Apostle Paul wrote:
Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and
approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect. Rom 12:2 Net Bible
“The Christian should be continually renewing his or her mind by returning mentally to the decision to dedicate self to
God and by reaffirming that decision. This continual rededication to God will result in the transformation of the Christian
into Christ’s image (Mark 9:2-3). A daily rededication is none too often. This re-programming of the mind does not take
place overnight but is a lifelong process by which our way of thinking is to resemble more and more the way God wants
us to think.” Dr. Thomas Constable, Constable’s Notes.
How often do you think about what you are thinking about? My favorite philosopher has always been Socrates. I
remember reading that if there was a problem or other matter he was trying to figure out, he would stand or sit in one
place and think about it until he resolved it in his mind. I’m not suggesting that we go to that length to analyze our
thoughts, but it is a good idea to be mindful of what’s bouncing around in our head.
Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” When Paul penned this verse in his own
language, he chose an interesting word for “mind.” The word mind here means “attitude” or “thinking.” Therefore, the
word implies that the Mind of Christ is not a mere creed, theory, or formula—it is an attitude! The Book of Philippians,
Word Search Bible.
Paul later expanded this guidance into what should become a standard practice for Christians:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. Phil
4:8 Net Bible.
In 1972, the United Negro College Fund began using the slogan, A Mind is a Terrible thing to Waste.
If we choose to fill our mind with something other than the Word of God, we are choosing to waste a gift that He has
given to none of His other creations.
What’s on your mind?