Skip to main content

The Heart and the Mind - Renewing the Mind



Facts:
  • The Hebrew word "lebab" has been interchangeably translated as both "mind" and "heart"; but, chiefly as "heart" [heart 508 times, mind 12, midst 11, understanding 10]

  • The Hebrew word "ruah" has been interchangeably translated as both spirit and mind; but, chiefly as "spirit". [Spirit or spirit 232, wind 92, breath 27, side 6, mind 5, blast 4]

  • The Hebrew word "nephesh" has been interchangeably translated as soul, life, mind, heart, and body; but, chiefly as "soul". [soul 475, life 117, person 29, mind 15, heart 15, creature 9, body 8]

  • The Hebrew word "kilyah" (meaning "kidneys") has also been translated as mind in NKJ; but, chiefly as kidneys and reins [ kidneys 18, reins 13; 31]

  • The chief Greek word for heart is "kardia"

  • The chief Greek words for mind are "nous" and "dianoia"

Further:
  • The first and the last time "heart" is mentioned in the Bible, it has a negative connotation: Gen. 6:5 says that the imagination of the thoughts of man's heart were evil continually and Rev.18:7 talks about Babylon who speaks presumptuously in her heart.

  • The mind is never spoken of as believing or having faith; faith is a response of the heart. (Mark 11:23; Romans 10:9)

  • God is never talked of as indwelling the mind; He indwells the heart. (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 3:17; Romans 5:5 )

  • But, we are asked to love the Lord with both our heart and mind. (Matthew 22:37)

  • Ephesians 4:23 talks about being renewed in the spirit of our mind. Romans 12:2 talks about renewing the mind.

  • A new heart is given by God; but renewing the mind is our obligation (Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 12:2)

Heart (the place of intentions, imaginations, intuition, conscience, spirit, and feelings)
  • The human heart is called "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." (Jeremiah 17:9)

  • The imaginations of the thoughts of the human heart are evil from the youth and evil continually, unceasingly (Genesis 6:5)

  • The human heart is said to be the place from where are the issues (outgoings) of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

  • Jesus said that out of the heart proceeds all evil (Mark 7:19)

  • He said that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart (Matthew 12:34)

  • He also said that the good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, but an evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasures of his heart (Matthew 12:35). It's a treasure box or treasure chest of human actions.

  • The heart is the seat of conscience; it can condemn us (Romans 2:15; 1John 3:20)

  • The heart may be hardened (Hebrews 3:8,15)

  • The heart must be purified and sanctified, consecrated to God (James 4:8)

  • The heart is purified by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:22; 9:14)

  • It is with the heart that one believes (Romans 10:9)

  • God indwells our heart (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 3:17; Romans 5:5 )

Mind (the place of memory, intellect, reasoning, and will)
  • Before regeneration, the human mind is in enmity with God (Colossians 1:21)

  • The carnal mind is in enmity with God (Romans 8:7)

  • The mind has desires that are against God (Ephesians 2:3)

  • The mind must be renewed (Romans 12:2)

  • God wants us to love Him with our mind (Matthew 22;37)

  • Our minds must be set on things above (Colossians 3:2)

  • The loins of our mind must be girded and we must be sober (1Peter 1:13)

To renew means to think afresh, to make new.
  • Lusts rot the mind (2Peter 2:1), Rebellion debases the mind (Romans 1:28), the Devil blinds the mind (2Corinthians 4:4). All this hinders the power of mind to think soundly.

  • But, God has given us a spirit of love, power, and sound mind (2Timothy 1:7). We need to walk by the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Romans 8; Galatians 5:16)

  • Renewing mind helps us to think clearly and know what is God's will, what is the good and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2)

  • The mind is renewed by meditating, fixing our minds on, acknowledging, and willing to obey God's word(James 1:25; Colossians 3:2; Philippians 4:8)

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rocketing Prices Make Vegetables and Fruits a Luxury in India

Prices of agro-products soar higher in India, making fruits and vegetables almost a luxury. The Times of India reports: "The price of almost every vegetables except onion and potato has gone up to 25 to 30 per cent in the wholesale market and retail price staggering up to 45 to 50 per cent. A random market survey revealed an increase in the price of spinach to Rs 40-45 from Rs 10-15 kg a few days back. "The price of tomato has gone up to Rs 55-60 from Rs 40 a kg and capsicum to Rs 60-80 from Rs 40 per kg at the start of this month. The price of onion has gone up to Rs 20 from Rs 15-18 per kg but still remained steady in the market. "Variation between the wholesale prices and retail prices is staggering between 25%-30%." (Lucknow: July 17, 2009). Lauki (bottle gourd) went from being Rs. 7-10 per kg to Rs. 40 per kg. The price of lentils has shot up to Rs. 85 per kg from Rs. 40-45 per kg. The saying "dal bhat ab ameeron ka khana hei" (lentils and rice are n...
1 comment
Read more

Poll Results: Are all Mission Fields Harvest Fields?

On Monday, April 30, I started a poll on the following question: Jesus said: "The fields are ripe for harvest... I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." (Jn 4:35,38) DOES IT APPLY 2 NON-JUDEO LANDS AS WELL? They don't need preparation and sowing? Rather, they are as equally ripe for harvest as Judea-Samaria was because of previous labor by somebody (local indigenous religions and prophets!)? A total of 18 votes were cast with the following main results: YES = 9 I believe it wherever the gospel is preached and people respond. = 5 NO = 1 I'M NOT SURE = 0 One Scholar responded saying: "I think God's Spirit is at work with all people all the time through various way, and sundry ways as Hebrews says. hence they are ready for harvest... but the church is too slow to go." A Pastor responded saying: "I do believe that even in the remotest areas, the fields are alread...
1 comment
Read more

Omniscience

Omniscience is an article of faith among people across various faiths that hold faith in the Supreme God. Omniscience baffles reason. How can God know all things beyond time: things that were, things that are, and things that will be? I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and [I know] the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but [are] a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw [some] of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:9-10) The biggest challenge comes in the form of the objection: 1. Knowledge is cognizance of something that exists. 2. The future doesn’t exist yet. 3. Therefore, one cannot know the future. There have been various reactions to this and attempts to try to explain omniscience of future events. Some subscribing to the eternalist theory...
Post a Comment
Read more