The Meditation of our Heart

( A Bible study by brother Tarran Dookie)

THE CARNAL MIND

Gen.6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Jer.17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Rom.8:5-7 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Eph.2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

See also Ps.10:4; Ps.94:11; Mk.7:21-23; Rom.1:28; 1Cor.3:20.

Prior to the flood God saw that man’s thoughts were bent on evil continually. Long after the flood Jeremiah declared that the heart is deceitful above all things. The carnal mind is at enmity with God. This is true not only of unbelievers but also of believers who are not spiritually minded. The thought life of many a Christian is in need of deliverance. Their minds are not focused on the things of the Spirit but rather on things of the flesh and of the world.

A RENEWED MIND

Ps.139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Rom.12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2Cor.10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Eph.4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

1Pet.1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

See also Ps.4:3-4; Ps.119:59; Ps.139:1-2; Ps.139:23-24; Pr.16:3; Is.55:7-9; Ezek.36:26; 2Tim.1:7.

We must allow God to search our heart and know our thoughts. In His light we shall see light. The unrighteous must forsake his thoughts. A renewed mind shall lead to a transformed life. We have to gird up the loins of our minds and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Our thought life will dictate our walk. If we think right, we shall live right . Let us ask God to give us a new heart and a new spirit, even a renewed mind.

MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF GOD

Josh.1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Ps.1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Ps.119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Ps.119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Lk.2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Heb.4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2Pet.3:1-2 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.

See also Ps.37:30-31; Ps.119:15,148; 1Chr.16:15; Heb.8:10.

Let us meditate on God’s word day and night. Let the word of God shape our thoughts and thence shape our lives. Allow the sharp two-edged sword to discern the thoughts and intents of your heart. Do you ponder His word in your heart or do you forget about it after reading or hearing it? Let the word of Christ dwell richly in us.

SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE

Mat.6:21,27,34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also… Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Rom.12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

2Cor.11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Col.3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.