“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30 NKJV

We’ve talked about loving God with all of our heart and with all of our soul, which leads us to the third component in this command — loving God with all of our mind.

God is not after your undivided affection for His sake. Can I let you in on a little secret? He is in it for your sake. Though our motive in loving God with every facet of our being must purely be about Him, the realty is, we reap undeniable benefits from giving Him our undivided affection.

In the original language, according to Strong’s, the word for “mind” is in reference to the exercise of the mind. It’s not just where your mind wonders aimlessly. The command here is to consciously choose to love Jesus with every faculty of the mind.

God’s ultimate goal in you loving Him with all of your mind is, as we said last week, all about habitation. He wants to take residence within you. He doesn’t believe in renting. You’re either wholly His or you’re not His at all.

IT’S ALL ABOUT HABITATION

Look at that word again — HABITation. The key to your mind becoming a habitation for God boils down to your habits. We must create conscious habits that point us toward the Lord.

Here are three keys to developing habits of the mind that lead to loving God entirely, and creating a habitation for His presence:

1. Fellowship with God’s word.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 NKJV

The secret to prosperity and success in Joshua’s life was his fellowship with God’s word. By fellowshipping with God through His word each day, you are developing a habit which enables your mind to love Him freely.

2. Fellowship with God’s people.

“Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.” Proverbs 22:24-25 NKJV

Your mind is molded by those you fellowship with. Don’t expect a healthy thought life if you’re closest friends are those who are corrupted, with a mind that has not been renewed. This is why church should be at the very top of your list of priories. You need to fellowship with people who point you in the right direction.

3. Fellowship with His presence.

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NKJV

By practicing steps one and two, you inevitability will find yourself in the presence of God. However, it is important to take time privately, away from everything else, and intentionally spend time with the Lord alone. As you behold Him, you become like Him. Consequently your love for Him will grow in purity and perfection.

TIME TO EVALUATE

Your life reflects your thoughts. Take a mental evaluation of your life and you can trace it back to where your thoughts are. If you want your mind to be a habitation for God, you must develop the right habits. Apply these three keys to prepare your mind for undivided affection.

 

AN EVENT FOR LEADERS