According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the
term “mind” is defined as “the human consciousness
that originates in the brain and is manifested
especially in thought, perception, emotion, will,
memory, and imagination; the faculty of thinking,
reasoning, and applying knowledge.” The human
mind is regarded as the core of all opinion or
sentiment, desire or inclination, focus of thought, and
attention. In the Bible the mind is often alluded to
with such terms as “conscience” or “heart.”
Everything we do is dictated by the mind: whether
conscious (as in a premeditated action), or
subconscious (such as scratching a mosquito bite in
your sleep). The human brain (designed by God our
creator) is so proficient that it records all the senses
of the body: hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and
feeling (touch).
Recognizing these facts, it behooves us to carefully
consider what we subject our minds (hearts) to. It is
said that one is the product of their environment, and
a tremendous factor in the corruption of a person’s
mind is exposure to evil influence (1 Cor. 15:33).
Such influence can lead to desire (providing
temptation); giving in to temptation is sin, and sin
“brings forth death” (Jas. 1:13-15). Man has the
ability to freely choose to do good or to do evil (cf.
Gen. 4:7), and both are done from the heart (Rom. 6:
17; Matt. 15:19). It is no wonder that David said,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a
steadfast spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10). Therefore,
friends, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of
it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). If you will not
apply this wisdom, what are you thinking?