Set Your Mind, Set your Course

Last night we started a new season of Titus Two Fellowships at our church. Women meet at a number of homes throughout the greater LA area. I have been blessed as I have studied for this, and hope to encourage others through what I have learned.

In our culture we use the word mind in many ways. It may refer to intellect—She has a really sharp mind. It may refer to determination—If you set your mind to it, you can do anything. It may refer to an issue of the will, or a decision—will you make up your mind?

In the language of our day, we definitely draw a distinction between mind and heart. We think with our minds, and feel with our hearts. In the Bible, however, these words are often used almost synonymously. In fact there are several words in the Hebrew and the Greek that are sometimes translated as mind, and sometimes as heart. The Biblical mind encompasses not just our thinking, but also our will, our affections, our choices, our desires.

One thing that stood out from my study is the POWER of the mind. What we think about has a more powerful influence on us than we might realize.

Even the secular world understands this. Mahatma Gandhi said, "A man is but the product of his thoughts." Ralph Waldo Emerson warned, "Beware of what you set your mind on, for that you will surely become."

While these men might recognize the POWER of the mind, it is from God’s Word that we want to gain understanding. The Bible has much to say on this topic. There are over 1000 biblical references to mind, thought, or heart.

Proverbs 23:7a--For as he thinks in himself, so is he. My thinking determines the kind of woman I am.

Proverbs 4:23--Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.
Here I am warned to diligently watch over my heart and mind, for my entire life flows from it. I need to be careful about what I watch, what I read, what I listen to.

Luke 6:45--The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. What is filling my mind and heart will come out in my words.

Matthew 15:19--For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. What is filling my mind and heart will come out in my actions.

So Set your Mind, Set your Course is more than just a clever title for a Titus Two. It is a reality. Whatever predominantly occupies my mind will determine the person I am and the course I take, whether I want it to or not.

We have seen the POWER of the mind. What are we to do with all this power? What are we to think about? We'll talk about that next time!