Scriptures On the Mind

Living a life dedicated to the teachings of God involves more than a physical commitment. The Bible talks about the mind as a powerful tool through which to combat the enemy with internal strength and power. Indeed, even the most faithful have times of trouble, where the spirit is challenged with every thought. 

Here are 14 verses about the Christian mind that will give you the peace of God. The scripture here will prepare your mind for God and his teachings while also giving you mental and spiritual strength.

 

1. 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." Romans 12:2 KJB

 

2. “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 ESV

When your mind is occupied with the trials, tribulations, and fashions of everyday life, more often than not, there is a risk that your thoughts are not your own.

God implores the faithful not to be distracted or tempted to live life according to the rules or way of the earthly world. There is always a higher-order towards which to aspire and model one’s life upon. To do this requires a particular mind - one which is given to the Word and Spirit of the Lord. It is only with this mind that we will be able to understand God’s will. 

Similarly, in Colossians, we are implored to set our minds to a higher standard than the one set here on earth. 

 

3. “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 NIV

This bible verse says alot. When having the same mindset as Jesus Christ, I believe it really changes how you think, act and do. Like those really popular WWJD (What Would Jesus Do ) bracelets. Having an reminder or mindset as Jesus will lead us in the right direction and actions for ourselves and towards others as well.

The Mind of the Lord, and the Mind of His Follower

A Christian who is sound of mind follows the law of God but also tries to emulate the nature of Jesus Christ our Lord. In this sense, the verse implores us to be Christ-like in our regard for each other. We are asked to love as He loved, to do as He did. 

 

4. “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 ESV 

In preparing our minds for receiving the grace of God, this verse asks us to be sober and level-headed, not excited or unjustifiably passionate. Hope is foremost in the thoughts of the Christian - hope of the coming glory. 

Life - which is a gift from God - is therefore expressed with appropriate sobriety and grace.

 

5. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV 

It’s notable that this comes at the end of a longer passage. It feels like a summary of a larger endorsement. But it is no less pertinent, as it addresses the mindset of the Christian directly. 

We should mentally engage ourselves with what is truthful and noble, in order to inform our actions accordingly. After all, truth and virtue are found through Christ. So it would seem logical to connect all things that are righteous and pure as being of Christ. We would do well to fill our minds with such things.  

 

6. “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

We may live in a world full of evil and conflict, but our true battle isn’t waged in the world itself. Through study and clear-mindedness, we are able to sharpen our abilities to combat worldly challenges. 

Taken another way, the body itself is weak - perhaps too weak to withstand the rigors of the world by itself. So a sound mind is required to counter the actions of those against God. The context of the letter from Paul suggests imagery of war and physical conflict. 

Today we can see this as a call to the mind as a weapon to receive God’s strength. And with that strength, we are able to combat evil in the world, and in our own minds. 

 

7. “Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” Proverbs 23:6-7 KJB

Offered as advice or perhaps a caution, the verse warns us of the true mind of selfish men. Regardless of the degree of temptation, it would be improper for us to indulge in these gifts, knowing that they are offered grudgingly. 

Turned upon ourselves, though we may feign generosity, giving with a begrudging heart and mind, we are not able to disguise our true selves from God. With pure heart and mind, we are able to give without reserve. 

The world’s ways often seem to counter true generosity and giving. If we make ourselves aware of this, we are able to intellectually understand these ways, and counter them accordingly. 

 

Mental and Spiritual Strength Through Christ Jesus 

We may ask ourselves: How do we prepare our minds in Jesus Christ  - or more accurately - what can we do for the mind? Is there a way to discipline our minds as a tool that we can use to assist us in our pursuit of godly living? 

As always, we must look to scripture for wisdom, and we do so in the knowledge that preparing or reclaiming your mind is a process. Most important in this process is the commitment to not succumb to dark thoughts and broken spirits.

 

 

 

8. “For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”- Romans 7:23 ESV

While it is noble to pursue a clear and present mindset in relation to God, it is also important to be aware of and acknowledge the realities of one’s own weakness, especially during life’s trials and tribulations. The speaker here laments the presence of his earthly desires insomuch as it seems to oppose his inner desire to follow God’s Law. 

This is why we understand the pursuit of a godly, Christian mind to be a process and a lifelong journey. It is in essence the pursuit of truth and discipline within a world that often openly opposes such traits. 

 

9. A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”- Proverbs 17:22 NIV

The well-being of our emotional and mental states lies at the center of much of our happiness. Though we may carry within ourselves a heart that seeks and finds perfect peace and joy in the things around us, a broken spirit will lead to sorrow and heartbreak. 

It may also lead us down a path of darkness. 

With this in mind, here and elsewhere, God encourages us to be joyful, to seek happiness and contentment in the Lord, so that we can remain strong in our spirit and faith while experiencing the peace of God.

 

10. "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.” Luke 21:34 NIV

Luke relates the warning of Christ. As Christ tells his followers to constantly be in expectation of His return, He reminds us that it will be easy to lapse into worldly lives and distractions. 

It is a reminder to us that our pursuit of a life in Christ is a constant vigil, ever-aware of our intention and our purpose. 

11. “Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'” - Matthew 22:37 NIV 

Of these faculties, the mind directly seems to reference the intellectual aspect of our understanding. We could take this to mean that the engagement of God's law is in fact as much intellectual as it is spiritual. 

12. “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” Romans 12:16 NIV

Part of good Christian values is modesty in all things. That includes attitude towards those that the arrogant would see as “below” them. We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. Setting one’s mind to the truth of this is an important foundation from which to build in the world. 

13. “What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.”1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV 

This bible verse relates directly to the act of worship and prayer. While we are inclined to pray and worship with physical action like singing, we might also try to move the act of worship within the intellectual realm. 

What better way to fully appreciate the words of song and prayer and the act of contrition than to mentally engage with these concepts while being renewed in the spirit.

The acts of praise and worship extend to the state of mindfulness itself. To understand the act of worship (singing, praying, etc.) is to give it even more power within ourselves. 

14. “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.” Romans 8:7 NIV 

Allowing our earthly bodies to control our minds puts our actions in opposition to God’s Word. That is to say, placing our minds at the mercy of our earthly desires, carnal or otherwise, directly counters godliness. 

In fact, the Christian scholar Charles Ellicott gave us an even harsher view, saying: “The carnal mind is death--because it implies enmity with God, and enmity with God is death.”

It’s a fairly clear condemnation of giving over to one’s fleshly desires. But it also makes a case for disciplining the mind for a greater purpose, all of which serves God in action.  

Return to the Lord Through Bible Verses About the Mind

Hopefully, these 14 verses offer just the beginning of a framework for approaching your faith beyond the spiritual. Through them, we see that a sound mind is the only way to start understanding the mind of Christ. 

Indeed, a sound mind, bible study, and adherence to truth in faith are valuable tools to receiving the Holy Spirit and walking in the footsteps of the Lord.

With these and other scriptures on the mind, we begin to understand the value of preparing the mind as well as the spirit and the body for the Grace of God. The mind is a tool not of fear but of power, and having good control over it can only add to our lives.