Love the Lord Your God with All Your Mind

Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

So far we have learned that loving God with all our heart has to do with the hidden part of us that is not seen by others. Loving God with all our soul involves having the same will and purpose that God has for us. Now we come to loving God with all our mind.

Vine's Expository Dictionary says this refers to knowing, understanding, or moral reflection. We are to renew our minds with the Word of God.

Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Loving God with all our mind is tied very closely with our heart. What we think about becomes ingrained in our heart.

How can we have our minds renewed? The following verses tell us how.

Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

We are to seek those things that are above, setting our affection them. If there is any thing of virtue or praise-worthy we are to think on those things. If we use our minds to meditate on God's word it will get into our hearts, and it will be there when we are tempted to sin, pricking our conscience to help keep us from sinning.

What do you spend your free time thinking about? Is it praise-worthy? Are you living life with a view to eternity? Are you using your mind to meditate on God's Word so it will get into your heart?

Dear Father, Many things occupy our minds. Help us to focus on the things You would want us to focus on as we go through our days. In Jesus' Name, Amen.