Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "thinks" in the Bible is closely related to the mind, thoughts, and the inner reflections of the heart. The Bible places significant emphasis on the nature and quality of one's thoughts, as they are seen as a reflection of one's spiritual state and relationship with God.
Biblical Understanding of ThoughtsIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "thoughts" is "machashabah," which can refer to plans, intentions, or purposes. In the New Testament, the Greek word "logismos" is used, which can mean reasoning or imagination. The Bible consistently teaches that God is concerned with the thoughts of individuals, as they reveal the true nature of a person.
God's Knowledge of ThoughtsScripture affirms that God is omniscient and fully aware of human thoughts.
Psalm 139:2 states, "You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar." This verse highlights God's intimate knowledge of our inner life. Similarly, in
Jeremiah 17:10, God declares, "I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve."
The Importance of Righteous ThinkingThe Bible encourages believers to cultivate righteous and pure thoughts. In
Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul exhorts, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." This passage underscores the importance of focusing one's mind on virtuous and godly matters.
The Battle for the MindThe New Testament often describes the Christian life as a spiritual battle, with the mind being a primary battleground. In
2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul writes, "We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." This verse emphasizes the need for believers to actively control their thoughts and align them with the teachings of Christ.
Transformation Through Renewed ThinkingThe transformation of the believer's life is closely linked to the renewal of the mind.
Romans 12:2 instructs, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This renewal is a work of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to discern and follow God's will.
The Heart and ThoughtsIn biblical anthropology, the heart is often seen as the seat of thoughts and intentions.
Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." This verse highlights the importance of protecting one's inner life, as it influences outward behavior and spiritual health.
Evil Thoughts and SinThe Bible also warns against evil thoughts, which can lead to sinful actions. Jesus taught in
Mark 7:21-23, "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man." This passage illustrates the connection between internal thoughts and external sins.
ConclusionThe Bible's teachings on thoughts emphasize the importance of aligning one's mind with God's truth and righteousness. Believers are called to cultivate a thought life that reflects their faith and commitment to Christ, recognizing that their thoughts are known by God and have a profound impact on their spiritual journey.
Greek
1380. dokeo -- to have an opinion, to seem... best (1), seemed fitting (1), seemed good (4), seems (3), suppose (5), supposed
(2), supposes (1), supposing (4), think (18), thinking (1),
thinks (6), thought
...3049. logizomai -- to reckon, to consider
... 1), dwell (1), maintain (1), numbered (2), propose (1), reason (1), reckoned (2),
regard (4), regarded (3), suppose (1), take into account (3),thinks (1)....
3543. nomizo -- to practice, consider
... Word Origin from nomos Definition to practice, consider NASB Word Usage suppose
(1), supposed (4), supposing (3), think (4),thinks (1), thought (2). suppose....
Strong's Hebrew
8176. shaar -- to calculate, reckon... 8175c, 8176. shaar. 8177 . to calculate, reckon. Transliteration: shaar Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-ar') Short Definition:
thinks. Word Origin a prim.
...Library
Which Thing WhosoThinks Cannot have Been done by the Apostles...
... Section 6. Which thing whosothinks cannot have been done by the Apostles?
6. Which thing whosothinks cannot have been done by...
Moreover, itThinks it Has Attained Something Very Great if it is...
... BOOK I. Chapter 23. Moreover, itthinks it has attained something very
great if it is able to? 23. Moreover, itthinks it has...
He VainlyThinks that the Doubt About the Energies is to be Solved...
... Book I. Section 29. He vainlythinks that the doubt about the energies is to be
solved by the beings, and reversely. Now let us see what comes next....
If any one PerchanceThinks that we are Speaking Wicked Calumnies....
... Book V. 26 If any one perchancethinks that we are speaking wicked calumnies?
If any one perchancethinks that we are speaking...
Whoever, Then,Thinks that He Understands the Holy Scriptures...
... BOOK I. Chapter 40. Whoever, then,thinks that he understands the Holy
Scriptures? 40. Whoever, then,thinks that he understands...
If, However, any oneThinks to Refute Our Argument on this Ground....
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter XXX. If, however, any onethinks to refute
our argument on this ground? If, however, any onethinks...
HeThinks, Besides, that those who Support the Cause of Christ by...
... Chapter XII. Hethinks, besides, that those who support the cause of
Christ by a reference to? Hethinks, besides, that those...
What PelagiusThinks is Needful for Ease of Performance is Really...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 30 [XXIX.]"What
PelagiusThinks is Needful for Ease of Performance is Really Necessary for...
Celsus, Moreover,Thinks that we have Invented this "Tree of Life"...
... Chapter XXXVII. Celsus, moreover,thinks that we have invented this "tree
of life" to give an allegorical? Celsus, moreover,thinks...
After These Matters, Then, HeThinks that He Can Make us...
... Chapter LXII. After these matters, then, hethinks that he can make us
acquainted in a few? After these matters, then, hethinks...
Thesaurus
Thinks (20 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Thinks (20 Occurrences).
... If anyone
thinks that he is wise
among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
...Lydia (5 Occurrences)
... This name was a popular one for women (compare Horace Odes i0.8; iii0.9; vi.20),
but Ramsaythinks she "was familiarly known in the town by the ethnic that...
Deceives (14 Occurrences)
... (DBY NIV). Galatians 6:3 For if a manthinks himself to be something when
he is nothing, he deceives himself. (WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV)....
Deceive (48 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyonethinks that he is wise
among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise....
Bilhan (3 Occurrences)
... of as authorized by the steward as amounting in money value to only about 5 British
pounds and 25 British pounds respectively, andthinks they represented not...
Bethbasi
... The name means "marsh," which Dr. Smiththinks impossible, and really "an echo of
an ancient name." Jonathan and Simon repaired the ruins of the fortified...
Canneh (1 Occurrence)
... in Ezekiel 27:23. Cornillthinks Canneh is the Calneh of Amos 6:2, but
Cheynethinks the name is really non-existent. He says the...
Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... Driver (Authority and Archaeology, 143-50),thinks "testimony of archaeology sometimes
determines the question decisively," but is "often strangely...
Archaeology
... Driver (Authority and Archaeology, 143-50),thinks "testimony of archaeology sometimes
determines the question decisively," but is "often strangely...
Tabor (12 Occurrences)
... Ewaldthinks that "Tabor" is a different pronunciation for "Deborah," and connects
with Genesis 35:8; but this is not likely. See OAK, 3. TABOR....
Resources
What does it mean that “as a man thinks, so is he” in Proverbs 23:7? | GotQuestions.orgIs God a megalomaniac? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Passion Translation of the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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