What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts? If you’ve ever wondered what the Bible says about thoughts, you are at the right place. There is much that the Bible says about dealing with our thoughts in a way that pleases God. The truth is that we do not dwell in a neutral world. That is, our minds are held captive by something or someone. Note that our minds are held captive by something or someone we may not even believe in. Luckily enough, the Bible tells us who it is behind our thought life. Remember what Jesus Christ said when He was speaking about adultery, He pointed to the fact that it is not only the physical act that is sinful, but in our minds we can also sin. That is, our thoughts can be sinful as well.

Jesus said “that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Hence, we can say without doubt that sin begins in the mind before it is ever manifested in the flesh. The Bible tells us that the human heart naturally produces evil, and as a result, whatever starts in the mind is likely to end up in “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Galatians 5:19-21a). Also note that “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21b). The fruit reveals the root, and until we’ve received the Holy Spirit, it is not possible for us to bear fruits like “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

What does the Scriptures say about dealing with our thoughts?

Note that sin is anything that we think, say, or act that is against the commands of God. That is, apart from evil words and actions, we also sin by thinking or pondering on evil thoughts. We all start by thinking about it, pondering it, and finally acting it. Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” With this in mind, one might ask what it takes to overcome our thoughts and remain faithful to God’s ways. It is important to understand that without God’s Spirit, we have no hope of reforming our own thoughts.

2 Corinthians 4:4 says “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Until we are set free from the clutch of Satan and his agents, we remain blind, even-though we fool ourselves by thinking that we can see. It is only by trusting in Christ that we are able to fully resist Satan. It is by the indwelling of God’s Spirit and the victory of Christ that we are delivered from evil thoughts send to us by Satan. King David had a way of resisting evil thoughts. He wrote in Psalm 119:11 saying, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” It is only through the Holy Spirit and God’s Word that we can avoid evil thoughts.

Living as a transformed being in Jesus Christ

One of the best ways to eliminate something is to replace it with something. And in the case of our thoughts, we can replace them with something much better. According to Philippians 4:8, we can dwell on “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,” instead of sinning by dwelling on and manifesting evil lustful thoughts. Romans 12:2 tells us that by allowing the Spirit of God Almighty to renew our minds, we will “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.”

Through the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we can completely become new beings in Christ. Always remember that the Word of God has the power to renew our minds. This is because the “word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Jeremiah 23:29 says, “My message is like a fire, and like a hammer that breaks rocks in pieces.” Behold, God’s message has the ability to renew our minds. It can even soften the hardest of hearts and submit it to God’s will. God’s message is what shows us the path to follow. Thanks to it, we are able to walk the right path that leads to His Kingdom. Just Believe, Sincerely Repent, and start obeying the Key Teachings of Jesus Christ. By so doing, you’ll be saved from the Fire of Hell and given Eternal Life.

Maintaining our thoughts sanctified

It is important for us to understand here that our minds will remain captive until we sincerely repent from our sins and put our trust in Jesus Christ for righteousness and salvation. This is the only way through which we can obtain God’s Supernatural Power; the Power of the Holy Spirit. This power strengthens us to overcome evil ways. That is, the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to change or renew the hearts of those following Jesus Christ. It does this so that we can become more like Jesus Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions. In Christ, we should do our best to stay away from sin. We should pray at all times asking God to help us in pleasing Him. If we fail, we should quickly repent and go for what is right before Him.

What The Bible Says About Thoughts

Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Mark 7:20-23 – He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

1 Corinthians 1:10 – “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

Isaiah 55:8 – ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Group 1 – What The Bible Says About Thoughts

1 Corinthians 3:18 – “Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.”

Proverbs 4:26 – “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.”

Matthew 6:7 – “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”

Proverbs 21:2 – “A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

Psalm 139:1-2 – “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;you perceive my thoughts from afar.”

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Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way that appears to be right,but in the end it leads to death.”

Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”

1 Corinthians 2:11 – “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

Job 31:1 – “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”

Group 2 – What The Bible Says About Thoughts

Isaiah 55:7 – “Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

Luke 12:22b-23 – “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.”

Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

1 Peter 1:13 – “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”

Philippians 4:8 – “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.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”

Romans 8:5-6 – “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.”

Group 3 – What The Bible Says About Thoughts

Romans 12:1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.”

Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Romans 12:2 – “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.”

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Matthew 5:28 – “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Psalm 139:17 – “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!”

Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Group 4 – What The Bible Says About Thoughts

Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Isaiah 55:8 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 – “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.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.“

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 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,”

Philippians 4:8-9 – “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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Isaiah 55:7 – “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

Group 5 – What The Bible Says About Thoughts

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Psalm 94:11 – “The Lord—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.”

James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …”

Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Matthew 21:22 – “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Mark 7:20-23 – And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

1 John 4:4 – “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

1 Peter 1:13 – “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.”

Job 31:1 – “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”

Matthew 15:11 – “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”

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Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Romans 13:14 – “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

Matthew 22:37 – 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.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 – “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Romans 8:6 – “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Luke 6:45 – “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

1 Corinthians 6:18 – “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”

Romans 7:25 – “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Proverbs 15:28 – “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”

Proverbs 12:5 – “The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.”

Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

Psalm 139:17-18 – “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.”

Psalm 27:13 – “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!“

Proverbs 23:7 – “For he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.”

John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Romans 1:28 – “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”

Jeremiah 17:10 – “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.”

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

Philippians 2:5 – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,”

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Philippians 4:4-9 – “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. …”

Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Psalm 19:7-14 – “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. …“

Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

Colossians 3:1-2 – “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

James 1:8 – “He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Hebrews 3:1 – “Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,”

1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

1 John 4:20 – “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

1 John 1:8 – “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

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Colossians 3:2-5 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 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.“

Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

Romans 12:1 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

1 Corinthians 2:11 – “For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Proverbs 4:20 – “My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.”

Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 7:23 – “But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”

Isaiah 53:4 – “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.”

Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

James 1:14-15 – “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Psalm 94:19 – “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”

Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Matthew 6:25 – “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?“

Psalm 37:1 – “Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!”

Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Psalm 37:1-40 – “Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. …”

Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:12 – “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,“

Hebrews 12:15 – “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;“

Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Revelation 1:1 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”

Ephesians 4:22-32 – “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. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, …”

Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Thoughts?

John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Acts 17:11 – “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

1 Corinthians 1:10 – “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

Romans 12:3 – “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.”