Love God with all your mind

Yesterday I wrote about loving God with all your heart. What does it mean to love God with all your mind?

Matthew 22:37-39 “Jesus replied 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all our mind . This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself'".

Love is an emotion, right?   It comes from your heart.  So how do I love with my mind?

I think it involves devoting our minds to knowing Him. It involves studying the Word. Really studying, thinking, meditating, digesting, and not just reading.

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

I think it also involves a conscious effort to think clearly about God; ensuring that you don’t entertain false ideas in your mind. 

Don’t let the world influence your view of God.  Instead let God influence your view of the world.

Start to develop a Biblical worldview. What does that mean? It means as I stand here and look at any situation, I look at it using the Bible as a lens to filter information.

Exercise your mind and learn as much as you can about the God you serve. Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have. 

“take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”   2 Corinthians 10:5 

Guard what your mind takes in. The old adage of “garbage in, garbage out” comes in to play. Our thoughts are to be constantly directed toward God.   Use care with books and media; especially with the internet and movies.

“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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me” put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

I also think this means to use the mind God gave you to glorify Him. Use your gifts, talents, abilities, and intelligence to advance the kingdom of God.   

Are you using the mind God gave you to serve Him? If not, why not?  Are you focusing your mind on things that will point you to God?  You can start today.  Set aside time to study the Scriptures, guard what you read and watch, and think about things from a Biblical perspective.