Love God with all your mind

Mark 12:33-34 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions. NASB

We’ve been looking at this concept of “loving God with all your mind”.

In Mark 12:33-34, the Greek word used for “mind” is “dianoia” (διάνοια), which can be translated as “understanding,” “thought,” or “mindset.” The man who answered Jesus intelligently was using his “dianoia” to understand and respond to Jesus’ question about the greatest commandment.

“Dianoia” is used throughout the New Testament to refer to the intellect, reasoning, and mental activity of individuals. In addition to its appearance in Mark 12:33-34, “dianoia” is used in several other verses:

1.      In a negative sense:

Luke 1:51: “He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts”.

Here, “dianoia” refers to the proud people’s reasoning and thought processes.

Ephesians 4:17 “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind”.

“Dianoia” here refers to the empty or vain thinking of the Gentiles.

Colossians 1:21 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled” .

In this verse, “dianoia” refers to the sinful thought processes of those who were enemies of God.

It is clear that our text speaks to using our mind – thought, understanding, intellect, and mindset toward being committed to God and His Word and His way of thinking and this is part of the greatest commandment.

2.      Used in a positive sense:

Luke 10:27: “So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind [dianoia], and your neighbor as yourself.’”

Here, “dianoia” is used to describe the aspect of a person’s mental capacity that is to be devoted to loving God. It is found in our text in Mark and in Matthew 22. Paul uses it:

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind [dianoia], that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” .

In this verse, “dianoia” is used to describe the aspect of the believer’s mind that is to be transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit in order to discern and fulfill God’s will.

2 Corinthians 10:5: “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”.

Here, “thought” is translated from “dianoia,” which emphasizes the importance of bringing every aspect of one’s intellectual capacity into obedience to Christ.

Overall, “dianoia” is a word that refers to the intellectual capacity of individuals and the thought processes that accompany it.

II.     A Neglected Issue

Most Christians today seldom think “loving God with their mind” as a critical part of their faith. There’s even the quip about people being 18” from salvation meaning they have the mental knowledge of Jesus but not heart belief. While this can highlight the difference between “religion” and “relationship” it is also a dangerous idea that faith is not intellectual, mental, rational, reasonable, or logical which is absolutely wrong.

Many “charismatics” and “Pentecostals” mock the theologian in the ivory tower with their intellect but no passion. But before we focus on the speck of dry sand in their eye, what about the beam of ignorance in our own. How many weird and crazy things have come out of those emotionally charged, intellectually challenged meetings?

And can someone give me some examples of Jesus’ passion and emotion as demonstrated in many modern day Pentecostal meetings?

The places of Jesus’ emotional moments can be seen in casting the money changers out of the temple [anger], the raising of Lazarus from the dead [He wept], his rebuke of Peter, and perhaps the outburst from the cross [anguish].

III.   With Understanding

Let’s look again at what Jesus is saying about loving God with heart, soul, strength, and mind using the Greek definition:

Heart: In Greek, the word for heart is “kardia”, which refers not only to the physical organ but also to the innermost part of a person, including their thoughts, feelings, and will.

To love God with all your “kardia” means to love Him with your whole being, including your innermost thoughts, desires, and volition.

Soul: In Greek, the word for soul is “psuche”, which refers to the animating principle or life force of a person.

To love God with all your “psuche” means to love Him with your whole being, including your personality, character, and identity. It involves dedicating yourself completely to God and aligning your desires and motivations with His.

Strength: In Greek, the word for strength is “ischus”, which refers to the physical or bodily aspect of a person’s abilities. To love God with all your “ischus” means to love Him with your entire body and to use your physical abilities to serve Him. It involves using your time, energy, and resources to further His purposes.

Mind: In Greek, the word for mind is “dianoia”, which refers to the faculty of the intellect or understanding. To love God with all your “dianoia” means to love Him with your intellect and to use your reasoning and understanding to know Him better. It involves studying the Scriptures and meditating on God’s character and works.

IV.  Application

Philippians 4:6-9 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.

What things?

1.       Rejoice in the Lord always (verse 4)

“But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Pt 4:13).

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Th 5:16-18).

2.      Let their gentleness be evident to all (verse 5)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ep 4:2).

3.      Not be anxious about anything, but present their requests to God (verse 6)

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1Pt 5:7).

4.      Focus their thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (verse 8)

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Col 3:2).

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Ro 8:6).

V.    Jesus taught these same four areas of practice mentioned by Paul:

1.      Rejoicing in the Lord always:

“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Mt 5:12).

“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:20).

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).

2.      Letting gentleness be evident to all:

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5).

“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Mt 11:29).

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44).

3.      Not being anxious about anything, but presenting requests to God:

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear... Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt 6:25-33).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Mt 7:7).

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear... Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Mt 6:25-27).

4.     Focusing thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6).

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Mt 5:8).

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Mt 7:1-2).

 

Lead Me, O Lord

Ten Prayers for Christians in General

but Especially for those aspiring for Leadership

Lead describes not an exalted status or unquestionable spiritual authority or superior value within a flock, but a sober calling to follow His Shepherd in such a way that others can “consider the outcome of [his] way of life, and imitate [his] faith,” [Jn 13:15; Eph 4:20; Phil 2:5; 1Pet 2:21; 1Jn 2:6] to speak to them “the word of God,” and to keep watch over their souls, as one “who will have to give an account” (Heb 13:7, 17).

And to know when to leave it in God’s hands [Lk 19:41-44; Acts 13:44-52].

I.        Call to Prayerful Dependence

Every believer [and especially those aspiring to leadership] are called to prayerful dependence each praying for one another. For who is adequate knowing that each of us is accountable to Jesus for how he models what it means to be a Christian; for how rightly he handles the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15), and for how the souls he’s influencing spiritually fare? Every sheep needs to pray for those God has placed over him [1Tim 2:1-8; Heb 13:17]. It has been said that “how well a pastor leads hangs on how well he follows the Great Shepherd’s lead,” but it is equally true that as the Jews demonstrated, some will never follow even the greatest leader – Jesus.

The following suggested areas of prayer are offered to help those interested in developing a prayer life.

1.                    Following: Lead me as my shepherd.

Ps 23:1–3 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Lord Jesus, I am a sheep of your pasture and one with influence by your appointment [Acts 20:28], therefore, I am all the more dependent on you to shepherd me, since apart from you I can do nothing (Jn 15:5). Help me keep looking to you for everything I need (Phil 4:19) and seeking to serve in the strength you supply (1 Pt 4:11). Lead me in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. Thank you for restoring my soul in right attitude and humility.

2.                   Wisdom: Lead me in your understanding.

Ps 119:34–35 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. [Pr 3:5-7]

Lord Jesus, The “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” and “those who practice it have a good understanding” (Ps 111:10). Therefore, I delight in your word: it is the source of understanding for how I may “walk in a manner . . . fully pleasing to” you (Col 1:10). Because I love you, grant me the understanding to wisely observe your commandments with my whole heart, (Jn 14:15). I meditate your words and keep them in my mouth that I might see how to keep them and make my way prosperous and with good success. [Joshua 1:8]

3.                   Teaching: Lead me by your Spirit.

Ps 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Lord Jesus, as a believer you’ve called me to teach others to observe all you’ve commanded (1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9, Mt 28:19-20). I have nothing to teach that I have not received from you through others by your Spirit (1 Cor 4:7). Help me remember that I teach not just through my words, but through my attitude and actions as a doer of the Word and not a hearer only. (Jas 1:22). So lead me by your good Spirit and teach me to do your will. Direct my steps in ways that demonstrate your righteousness and compassion. Let me walk in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control [Gal 5:22-23].

4.                  Purity: Lead me in your righteousness.

Ps 139:23–24 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting! … Ps 5:8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness.

“Lord Jesus, lead me in your righteousness — don’t let me try to lead with mine.”

Lord Jesus, apart from your sovereign keeping, I am vulnerable to temptation and prone to wander so I ask you to lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one [Mt 6:13]. I stand on your promise to move me keep your decrees and precepts by Your Spirit [Eze 36:27]. You know the state of my heart and my inmost thoughts [Ps 19:12-14]. Do whatever you must to reveal any grievous way in me so that fellow believers “who hope in you” never have cause to “be put to shame through me” (Ps 69:6). Help me be an example being a 1^st responder to confess, repent, receive grace, and pursue holiness. Lead me in your righteousness — not mine.

5.                   Guidance: Lead me in your truth.

Ps 25:4–5 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.

Lord Jesus, all your paths “are steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ps 25:10). But I often do not know the right path to take. I am utterly dependent upon you to lead me. Make me humble enough to remember that “in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Pro 11:14), patient enough not to move until you grant sufficient clarity, and bold enough to follow you when your guidance becomes sufficiently clear. Lead me in your truth to teach me.

6.                  Courage: Lead me because of my enemies.

Ps 27:11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

Lord Jesus, you showed wisdom, grace, and courage before your spiritual and human adversaries. Train me to show such courage. Teach me to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (Jas 1:19), to seek Your glory as He who sent me, and not my own (Jn 7:18). Teach me to truly love my enemies and seek their good (Lk 6:27) but remaining courageous enough to speak the truth in love even if it is unpopular and despised (Eph 4:15). Lead me on a level path because of my enemies.

7.                   Discouragement: Lead me with your light.

Ps 43:3 Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me.

Lord Jesus, when I am assaulted with discouragement because of opposition from adversaries; criticized by fellow believers, sorrow from tragedies within my church, difficulties within my family, my besetting weaknesses, or fatigue from long, strenuous labors, have mercy on me. Send out your light and your truth and let them lead me to once again “take courage” (Ps 27:14). Remind me you are working all things out [Rom 8:28].

8.                  Protection: Lead me to your refuge.

Ps 31:3 You are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.

Lord Jesus, you laid down your life for us to deliver us from your Father’s wrath (Jn 10:11; Ro 5:8–9). You warned that we would experience tribulation in the world, but not to fear because you have overcome the world (Jn 16:33). And you promise to “rescue [us] from every evil deed and bring [us] safely into [your] heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim 4:18). Protect me from being faithless. Protect me from discouraging others through my fear of what man can do to me more than I fear the destruction of shrinking back (Heb 10:39; Mt 10:28). You are my rock and fortress; when I am afraid, lead me to seek my only safe refuge in you.

9.                  Overwhelmed: Lead me when my heart is faint.

Ps 61:1–2 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Lord Jesus, I take comfort that I am surrounded by a great cloud of faith-filled, strong, courageous witnesses [Heb 12:1] like David who also felt overwhelmed by his circumstances and became faint of heart. I take comfort that you know my frame and remember that I am dust (Ps 103:14). At such times, “lift me high upon a rock” (Ps 27:5), above the fray, where I can rest and regain perspective. I take refuge in your word to “not let my heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” [Jn 14:1, 27] What you command to do we are equipped to do. I cast out all fear with its torment and remember your perfect love [1Jn 4:18]. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

10.                Spiritual Desertion: Lead me through my darkness.

Ps139:7–12 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there!  If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning. and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.

Lord Jesus, when darkness has covered me, and I have lost sight of you; when I can’t discern your presence, and your voice seems like a distant echo; when a spiritual storm overtakes me, and I become disoriented and confused, remind me that saints through the ages have also endured such experiences. Remind me that even my darkness is not dark to you. And reveal yourself — not only to me, but also to my brothers and sisters — as the Shepherd who never loses a sheep (Lk 15:4), even in the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4). Even there, let your hand lead me until the storm passes and “light dawns in the darkness” (Ps 112:4). Help me grow strong in the faith as Abraham [Rom 4:20], remind me that I follow “the light of the world” and as I follow Jesus I won’t “walk in darkness but have the light of Life [Jn 8:12].

 

All Of Jesus

In our study on the thinking of Jesus we soon realize that He KNEW His Father the way WE can know Jesus – as LORD, healer, savior, deliverer, encourager … Jesus told Philip in Jn 14:7-8 that he who knows Jesus knows the Father and John tells us that this is the true God and eternal life [1Jn 5:20]. But this knowledge requires a supernatural encounter and change through the Spirit of God.

Eph 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that (1) He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, (2) to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that (3) Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able (4) to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that (5) you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

To quote an anonymous saint: “Our problem is that we have all of Jesus we want. Not all of Jesus we need, but all of Jesus we want.” He was speaking for more people than his immediate congregation.

“We have all of Jesus we want”

Billy Graham knew how much he needed Jesus. He told a 1993 crusade in Portland, Oregon, “I can’t live the Christian life alone. I’m a failure. Billy Graham cannot live the Christian life. I’ve tried. I can’t do it. But with the help of the word of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, I can live the Christian life. But he lives it through me.”

Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Rev. Graham knew that we need Jesus as much as he did. In 1955, he said on “The Hour of Decision,” “The regeneration of the individual is much more needed than the revolution of society.” He stated that same year, “If I didn’t believe that the Bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ held the answer to this world’s baffling problems, I would go back to the farm and the rural life that I love and spend my days in peaceful solitude.”

He declared, “When our minds are on Christ, Satan has little room to maneuver.” And he knew that when we are changed by Jesus, everything about us is changed: “The transformed man loves when others hate. He is just when others are prejudiced. He is understanding when others misunderstand, and he is poised when others are frantic.”

I.        How does this happen?

Gal 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

1.                    Desire

Psa 63:1-5 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. 4 So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

Dr. Graham was convinced: “If Christianity is important at all, it is all important. If it is anything at all, it is everything. It is either the most vital thing in your life, or it isn’t worth bothering with.”

Paul writing to the Philippians lays out his pedigree and then discounts it entirely:

Phil 3:7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

Paul’s ultimate purpose and passion were clear: “That I may know him” (v. 10).

2.                   Pursue

We often seek after God the way a thief seeks after a policeman.

Phil 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 29:13 ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Knowing Christ is the purpose of the Christian life. Everything else about our faith is secondary and derivative. We were created for an intimate, daily, personal relationship with our living Savior.

So, let me ask you: How well do you know Jesus today?

The answer is simple: You know Him as well as you want to know Him. And knowing Him is by His Word and faith, not our opinions and ideas. Hear Paul on this:

Ro 10:2-8 For I testify about them [his own countrymen] that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it [the word of righteousness] say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” — that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

You can know him just as you can know any other living person, but with greater connection because He promised His Spirit would live in those chosen to be His sons and daughters.

1 Cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

2 Cor 6:17-18 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.

3.                   Practice

James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

You get to know Jesus just like you get to know anyone else: by spending time with him.

Read his word to hear His voice. Listen for His Spirit as He speaks to your spirit. See His hand in His creation (Col 1:16) and be thankful. Speak to Him through the day. Practice His presence by seeing yourself in His presence, and it will be so. Guard your heart against the assaults and lies of the enemy – Let His Word dictate your thinking.

Too many want a relationship with God AND a relationship with the world. This is impossible.

2 Cor 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

Ro 8:34 “Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Jesus is as close as your next prayer.

A final quote from Billy Graham: “My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ.”

Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”