Have you ever wondered what the Bible had to say on a subject, but had no idea where to start looking? Maybe there is something God has put on your heart to work on and you want to know everything the Word says about it. Well, a concordance can be a great tool to use when trying to find what the Bible says on a specific subject; but, often times, our Bibles don't include this very important section at the front or back of our texts and finding the information on our own can become time consuming and frustrating. For this reason, I decided to take four subjects and present a short series that gives comprehensive lists of verses relating to the subjects chosen. Today we will begin this series with looking into what the Bible says about the mind and our thoughts.
The mind is one of the most important topics to understand in regard to how it relates to our faith and walk with God. The mind is truly a battlefield where Heaven and Hell both collide and fight for dominance. If we can understand what our mind and our thoughts mean to our relationship with God, we will be able to create a targeted approach to what we think and, as such, how we feel; ultimately striving to become more in tune with God and His thoughts and more capable of fighting off the attacks of the enemy. Here are some Bible verses that tell us about our mind and our thoughts:
"What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?" – James 4:1 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." – Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
"For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness." – Mark 7:21-22 (ESV)
"Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes."– Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." – Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2 (NIV)
"How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!" – Psalm 139:17 (NLT)
"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." – Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." – Psalm 19:14 (ESV)
"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law." – Galatians 5:1 (NLT)
"But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." – Matthew 5:28 (NLT)
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." – Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
"Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware..." – Luke 21:34 (NLT)
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." – Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength." – Proverbs 17:22 (NLT)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." – Proverbs 3:5 (NLT)
"It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.” – Matthew 15:11 (NLT)
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus..." – Philippians 2:5 (ESV)
"But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me." – Romans 7:23 (NLT)
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]." – 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)
"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" – Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." – Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
