Mind, the human

On account of its inner orientation the fallen human mind is in conflict with the mind of God. It is nevertheless capable of knowing God, and of being changed and renewed by him.

The human mind is the seat of reason and decision-making

Job 12:1–3 See also 1 Chronicles 17:2; 2 Chronicles 7:11; Nehemiah 5:7; Psalm 19:14, Psalm 49:3; Proverbs 15:28, Proverbs 19:21; Ecclesiastes 2:3, Ecclesiastes 8:16; Daniel 4:16, Daniel 5:12, Daniel 7:1; Romans 10:10, Romans 14:5; 1 Corinthians 14:14–15; 1 Peter 1:13; Revelation 17:9

Then Job answered: “Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die! But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

The fallen human mind

The human mind is fatally flawed by sin

Jeremiah 17:9 See also Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21; 2 Chronicles 12:14; Psalm 5:9, Psalm 64:6, Psalm 73:7; Isaiah 32:6; Jeremiah 17:1; Romans 8:5–8; Ephesians 4:17–18

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Even the fallen mind can know something of God through creation

Romans 1:19–20

For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

The fallen mind tends to confuse the Creator with his creation

Isaiah 44:16–18 See also Romans 1:21–25

He burns half of it in the fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. Indeed, he warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.” They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.

Consequences of the human mind's sinfulness

Sinful attitudes lead to sinful words and actions

Matthew 15:19 parallel Mark 7:21–22 See also Romans 1:28–32; Ephesians 4:17–19; Colossians 2:18; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 3:8

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Sinfulness leads to death

Romans 2:5 See also Romans 6:23; Colossians 1:21

But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Doubt and instability

James 1:6–8

But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

God can change the attitudes of the sinful human mind

The mind can be convicted of sin

Psalm 51:3 See also 1 Kings 2:44; John 16:8–11

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

The mind can be changed

1 Thessalonians 1:9 See also 2 Chronicles 32:26; Job 42:6; Psalm 119:36; Acts 2:37, Acts 26:17–18

For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

It is God who enlightens the mind

2 Corinthians 4:6 See also Deuteronomy 29:4 God may withhold understanding; 1 Samuel 10:9; Job 38:36; Isaiah 32:4; Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 31:33, Jeremiah 32:39; Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel 36:26–27; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 3:14

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

It is God who renews the human mind

Psalm 51:10 See also Titus 3:3–7

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

The renewed mind of the believer

Romans 12:1–2

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Renewal brings knowledge of God

Colossians 1:9–10

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Renewal brings peace

Philippians 4:7 See also Isaiah 26:3

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Renewal leads to obedience

Romans 8:5 See also Romans 7:25, Romans 12:1–2; Colossians 1:10, Colossians 3:1–2; 1 Peter 1:13; Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16; Jeremiah 31:33

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

The believer's mind needs growth and renewal

2 Corinthians 11:3 See also Romans 7:22–23; Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 1:9

I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.