What the Bible says about Heart, Mind, and Soul
(From Forerunner Commentary)
The problem of sin is in man's thinking, which is why God says the problem is in the heart—in the mind. Humans are limited to thinking what is in their minds. If we have God's Word in our minds—along with the Holy Spirit—then there is a good chance that our minds will begin to change, to become circumcised, as it were—to be purified, to become holy as God is holy. God says, "My thoughts are higher than yours, better than yours—greater than the east is from the west." Yet, we have to take steps in that direction to begin thinking as He does.
A person who is not holy will not see God because they will not think as He does. Along the same lines, He will not recognize Himself in any of them! So, until the heart is changed, nothing will change. The change begins by taking in the Word of God on a daily basis and applying it in our lives.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eight)Related Topics: Circumcised in the Mind | Circumcision | Circumcision of the Heart | Circumcision, Spiritual | Heart | Heart, Change of | Heart, Corruption of | Heart, Mind, and Soul | Sin | Sin Begins as a Thought | Sin Begins in the Heart | Sin Begins in the Mind | Sin is Spiritual | Spiritual Circumcision
This verse does not define man as a trinity. It is a Hebraism, a common saying among the people, which simply means "the whole" or "every part." A.T. Robertson, in his authoritative Word Pictures in the New Testament, defines it as "every part of each of you." It corresponds to loving God "with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind," but it is somewhat paraphrased and placed in a specific context.
John W. Ritenbaugh
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