The Mind of christ continued
Personally, I highly recommend a silent fast to all who are able. Your experience and revelation may be different than mine, and that’s good; however, it will draw attention to your thought life. For most of us, this sort of fast would be easiest on a Saturday or Sunday as talking is necessary for work or school during the week. If you choose a Sunday, you can write on a card that you are doing a silent fast so that at church we can still tell you hi during What Up Doe? and understand why your words do not follow. We will understand and encourage this venture. One final suggestion, should you take this on: Still find a way to be around people. To hermit all day in our homes likely does not challenge or provoke us as much as driving on the road, walking around a store, sitting at a park or a mall, and maybe, just maybe, sitting around your family quietly. It is choosing to be around people and not say anything (but also not in a situation where you necessarily have to talk either). If you have small children, this is likely not your season for a silent fast unless someone else takes the kids for you - they love talking. Ha! That’s okay, too.
Regardless of if each of us chooses this fast or not, may we choose to grow in our awareness of our thoughts and the intentions of our hearts. Scripture is clear on how God values, cares about, and tests our thoughts and mind.
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Below are several verses for us to reflect on and pray through as we take our thought life before the Lord.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” - Romans 12:2-3
“For 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. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. - Romans 8:5-6
“Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart…” - Deuteronomy 15:9
“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you…” - 1 Chronicles 28:9
“Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.” - Psalm 26:2
“You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar… Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” - Psalm 139:2, 23
“Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” - Proverbs 16:20
“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” - Proverbs 28:26
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” - Isaiah 26:3
“For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory…” - Isaiah 66:18
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” - Jeremiah 17:10
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” - Lamentations 3:21-22
“And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and he said to me, “Say, Thus says the Lord: So you think, O house of Israel. For I know the things that come into your mind.” - Ezekiel 11:5
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” - Matthew 22:37
“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” - 2 Corinthians 10:4-6
“...to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” - Ephesians 4:22-24
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” - Philippians 4:8
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” - Colossians 3:2
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” - 1 Peter 1:13
“‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 2:16 (Read all of chapter 2 for the full context.)