Love God with all your mind

Mark 12:33-34 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions. NASB

We’ve been looking at this concept of “loving God with all your mind”.

In Mark 12:33-34, the Greek word used for “mind” is “dianoia” (διάνοια), which can be translated as “understanding,” “thought,” or “mindset.” The man who answered Jesus intelligently was using his “dianoia” to understand and respond to Jesus’ question about the greatest commandment.

“Dianoia” is used throughout the New Testament to refer to the intellect, reasoning, and mental activity of individuals. In addition to its appearance in Mark 12:33-34, “dianoia” is used in several other verses:

1.      In a negative sense:

Luke 1:51: “He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts”.

Here, “dianoia” refers to the proud people’s reasoning and thought processes.

Ephesians 4:17 “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind”.

“Dianoia” here refers to the empty or vain thinking of the Gentiles.

Colossians 1:21 “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled” .

In this verse, “dianoia” refers to the sinful thought processes of those who were enemies of God.

It is clear that our text speaks to using our mind – thought, understanding, intellect, and mindset toward being committed to God and His Word and His way of thinking and this is part of the greatest commandment.

2.      Used in a positive sense:

Luke 10:27: “So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind [dianoia], and your neighbor as yourself.’”

Here, “dianoia” is used to describe the aspect of a person’s mental capacity that is to be devoted to loving God. It is found in our text in Mark and in Matthew 22. Paul uses it:

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind [dianoia], that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” .

In this verse, “dianoia” is used to describe the aspect of the believer’s mind that is to be transformed and renewed by the Holy Spirit in order to discern and fulfill God’s will.

2 Corinthians 10:5: “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”.

Here, “thought” is translated from “dianoia,” which emphasizes the importance of bringing every aspect of one’s intellectual capacity into obedience to Christ.

Overall, “dianoia” is a word that refers to the intellectual capacity of individuals and the thought processes that accompany it.

II.     A Neglected Issue

Most Christians today seldom think “loving God with their mind” as a critical part of their faith. There’s even the quip about people being 18” from salvation meaning they have the mental knowledge of Jesus but not heart belief. While this can highlight the difference between “religion” and “relationship” it is also a dangerous idea that faith is not intellectual, mental, rational, reasonable, or logical which is absolutely wrong.

Many “charismatics” and “Pentecostals” mock the theologian in the ivory tower with their intellect but no passion. But before we focus on the speck of dry sand in their eye, what about the beam of ignorance in our own. How many weird and crazy things have come out of those emotionally charged, intellectually challenged meetings?

And can someone give me some examples of Jesus’ passion and emotion as demonstrated in many modern day Pentecostal meetings?

The places of Jesus’ emotional moments can be seen in casting the money changers out of the temple [anger], the raising of Lazarus from the dead [He wept], his rebuke of Peter, and perhaps the outburst from the cross [anguish].

III.   With Understanding

Let’s look again at what Jesus is saying about loving God with heart, soul, strength, and mind using the Greek definition:

Heart: In Greek, the word for heart is “kardia”, which refers not only to the physical organ but also to the innermost part of a person, including their thoughts, feelings, and will.

To love God with all your “kardia” means to love Him with your whole being, including your innermost thoughts, desires, and volition.

Soul: In Greek, the word for soul is “psuche”, which refers to the animating principle or life force of a person.

To love God with all your “psuche” means to love Him with your whole being, including your personality, character, and identity. It involves dedicating yourself completely to God and aligning your desires and motivations with His.

Strength: In Greek, the word for strength is “ischus”, which refers to the physical or bodily aspect of a person’s abilities. To love God with all your “ischus” means to love Him with your entire body and to use your physical abilities to serve Him. It involves using your time, energy, and resources to further His purposes.

Mind: In Greek, the word for mind is “dianoia”, which refers to the faculty of the intellect or understanding. To love God with all your “dianoia” means to love Him with your intellect and to use your reasoning and understanding to know Him better. It involves studying the Scriptures and meditating on God’s character and works.

IV.  Application

Philippians 4:6-9 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you.

What things?

1.       Rejoice in the Lord always (verse 4)

“But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Pt 4:13).

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Th 5:16-18).

2.      Let their gentleness be evident to all (verse 5)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ep 4:2).

3.      Not be anxious about anything, but present their requests to God (verse 6)

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1Pt 5:7).

4.      Focus their thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (verse 8)

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Col 3:2).

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Ro 8:6).

V.    Jesus taught these same four areas of practice mentioned by Paul:

1.      Rejoicing in the Lord always:

“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Mt 5:12).

“Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Lk 10:20).

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33).

2.      Letting gentleness be evident to all:

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Mt 5:5).

“Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Mt 11:29).

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44).

3.      Not being anxious about anything, but presenting requests to God:

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear... Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt 6:25-33).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Mt 7:7).

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear... Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Mt 6:25-27).

4.     Focusing thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6).

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Mt 5:8).

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Mt 7:1-2).