Topical Bible: Thinking

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Definition and Importance
Thinking, in the biblical context, refers to the process of reasoning, reflecting, and meditating on God's Word and His principles. It is an essential aspect of the Christian life, as it influences one's actions, decisions, and spiritual growth. The Bible emphasizes the importance of aligning one's thoughts with God's truth and wisdom.

Biblical References
The Bible provides numerous references to the concept of thinking, highlighting its significance in the life of a believer. In Proverbs 23:7, it is written, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." This verse underscores the idea that one's thoughts shape their identity and behavior.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to focus their minds on virtuous and praiseworthy things. Philippians 4:8 states, "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 encourages Christians to cultivate a mindset that reflects God's character and values.

Renewal of the Mind
The transformation of one's thinking is a central theme in the New Testament. Romans 12:2 exhorts believers, "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 achieved through the study of Scripture, prayer, and the work of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to discern God's will and live according to His purposes.

Guarding the Mind
The Bible also warns against the dangers of ungodly thinking. 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 highlights the need to guard one's mind against thoughts that contradict God's truth and to bring every thought into submission to Christ.

Wisdom and Understanding
Thinking is closely related to wisdom and understanding, which are highly valued in Scripture. Proverbs 2:6 states, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom from God, who grants insight and understanding to those who earnestly seek Him.

Meditation on God's Word
Meditation is a form of thinking that involves deep reflection on God's Word. Psalm 1:2 describes the blessed man as one whose "delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." This practice helps believers internalize Scripture, allowing it to shape their thoughts and actions.

Conclusion
The Bible presents thinking as a vital component of the Christian life, urging believers to align their thoughts with God's truth and wisdom. Through the renewal of the mind, meditation on Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Christians are equipped to live lives that honor God and reflect His character.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Think.

2. (a.) Having the faculty of thought; cogitative; capable of a regular train of ideas; as, man is a thinking being.

3. (n.) The act of thinking; mode of thinking; imagination; cogitation; judgment.

Greek

1771. ennoia -- thinking, thoughtfulness, ie moral understanding
... thinking, thoughtfulness, ie moral understanding. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: ennoia Phonetic Spelling: (en'-noy-ah) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1771.htm - 7k

1271. dianoia -- the mind, disposition, thought
... 3563 , "mind") -- properly, movement from one side (of an issue) to the other to
reach -conclusions; full-orbed reasoning (= critical thinking), ie thinking ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1271.htm - 8k

3053. logismos -- a reasoning, a thought
... a thought. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: logismos Phonetic Spelling:
(log-is-mos') Short Definition: reasoning, thinking Definition: reasoning ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3053.htm - 7k

603. apokaradokia -- strained expectancy
... 603 ("from 575 , "away from"; , "the head"; and 1380 , "thinking") -- properly,
thinking forward (literally with head ), referring to , . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/603.htm - 8k

2706. kataphroneo -- to think little of
... to," intensifying 5426 , "regulating behavior from inner mind-set") -- properly,
view , ie with a negative (hostile) outlook; to despise, thinking on (thinking ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2706.htm - 8k

2657. katanoeo -- to take note of, perceive
... along, exactly according to" and 3539 , "to think") -- properly, to think from up
to , to a ; to consider, (); to by fixing one's thinking " 'to perceive ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2657.htm - 8k

3551. nomos -- that which is assigned, hence usage, law
... 3551 () is used of: a) the Law (Scripture), with emphasis on the first five books
of Scripture; or b) any of religious thinking (theology), especially when ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3551.htm - 7k

249. alogos -- without reason
... logic.". 249 ("unreasonable") refers to behavior (thinking) from God's point
of view, ie what is completely against . 249 () means ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/249.htm - 7k

4625. skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare ...
... 4625 ("the means of stumbling") stresses the () of , ie how someone is caught
by (like their personal bias, carnal thinking). ["4625 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4625.htm - 8k

1380. dokeo -- to have an opinion, to seem
... 3), seemed best (1), seemed fitting (1), seemed good (4), seems (3), suppose (5),
supposed (2), supposes (1), supposing (4), think (18), thinking (1), thinks (6 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1380.htm - 9k

Strong's Hebrew

559. amar -- to utter, say
... specifically say (1), specified (1), spoke (77), spoken (15), still say (1), suppose
(1), tell (23), telling (2), tells (1), think (1), thinking (2), thought ...
/hebrew/559.htm - 7k

6250. eshtonah -- thought
... Word Origin from ashath Definition thought NASB Word Usage thoughts (1). thought.
From ashath; thinking -- thought. see HEBREW ashath. 6249, 6250. ...
/hebrew/6250.htm - 6k

Library

Sober Thinking
... ROMANS SOBER THINKING. 'For I say, through the grace that is given unto
me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/sober thinking.htm

And when He was Thinking of Rising up and Hiding Himself...
... Chapter 11. And when he was thinking of rising up and hiding himself?
And when he was thinking of rising up and hiding himself ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 11 and when he.htm

Now, to Prevent any one from Thinking that we have Devised what is ...
... Book V. 29 Now, to prevent any one from thinking that we have devised
what is so impious? Now, to prevent any one from thinking ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/29 now to prevent any.htm

Of Thinking Humbly of Oneself
... THE FIRST BOOK. ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER II
Of thinking humbly of oneself. There is naturally in every ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ii of thinking humbly.htm

While Vergilius, Going Slowly, was Thinking of These Things...
... CHAPTER 7 While Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things? While
Vergilius, going slowly, was thinking of these things ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 7 while vergilius going.htm

Danger of Thinking Vaguely. January 13.
... Danger of Thinking vaguely. January 13. Watch against any fallacies in
your ideas which may arise, not from disingenuousness, but ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /danger of thinking vaguely january.htm

But Perhaps Some one is Thinking that I have Selected the Apostle ...
... Book 4 Chapter 15. But perhaps some one is thinking that I have selected
the Apostle Paul because? 15. But perhaps some one is ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 15 but perhaps some.htm

Of Three Means in the which a Contemplative Prentice Should be ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND THIRTIETH CHAPTER Of three means in the which a
contemplative Prentice should be occupied, in reading, thinking, and praying. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the five and 2.htm

How a Kind of Trinity Exists in the Mind Thinking of Itself. What ...
... Book XIV. Chapter 6."How a Kind of Trinity Exists in the Mind Thinking
of Itself. What is the Part of Thought in This Trinity. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 how a kind of.htm

Seated Where There is Nothing of God, Will one be Thinking of his ...
... Chapter XXV. Seated where there is nothing of God, will one be thinking of his Maker? ...
Seated where there is nothing of God, will one be thinking of his Maker? ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xxv seated where there.htm

Thesaurus

Thinking (58 Occurrences)
... n.) of Think. 2. (a.) Having the faculty of thought; cogitative; capable of a regular
train of ideas; as, man is a thinking being. ...Thinking (58 Occurrences). ...
/t/thinking.htm - 23k

Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... of, as for some, a state of happiness-the clog of the body being shaken off-this
yields the idea, which has passed into so much of our modern thinking, of an ...
/i/immortal.htm - 33k

Immortality (6 Occurrences)
... of, as for some, a state of happiness-the clog of the body being shaken off-this
yields the idea, which has passed into so much of our modern thinking, of an ...
/i/immortality.htm - 35k

Anthropomorphism
... Anthropomorphisms 3. In What Senses an Anthropomorphic Element Is Necessary 4.
Anthropomorphism and the Exigencies of Human Thinking 5. Anthropomorphism and ...
/a/anthropomorphism.htm - 20k

Cogitation
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of thinking; thought; meditation;
contemplation. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. COGITATION. ...
/c/cogitation.htm - 6k

Redeemer (42 Occurrences)
... This general idea, of course, persists throughout the revelation and enters largely
into our thinking of today, but the growing moral discernment of the ...
/r/redeemer.htm - 45k

Redemption (46 Occurrences)
... This general idea, of course, persists throughout the revelation and enters largely
into our thinking of today, but the growing moral discernment of the ...
/r/redemption.htm - 48k

Preacher (27 Occurrences)
... day and night, the wind, the streams, are alike the repetition of an unending round
(1:4-7). The same holds in regard to all human study and thinking (1:8-11). ...
/p/preacher.htm - 48k

Ascension (1 Occurrence)
... Jesus as the Divine Man in heaven (2:9), though the meaning of the phrase, "crowned
with glory and honor" is variously interpreted, some thinking that it ...
/a/ascension.htm - 34k

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)
... day and night, the wind, the streams, are alike the repetition of an unending round
(1:4-7). The same holds in regard to all human study and thinking (1:8-11). ...
/e/ecclesiastes.htm - 27k

Resources

What is intellectualism? | GotQuestions.org

What is post-modern Christianity? | GotQuestions.org

Medical marijuana - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org

Thinking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Thinking (58 Occurrences)

Matthew 1:20
And on his thinking of these things, lo, a messenger of the Lord in a dream appeared to him, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, thou mayest not fear to receive Mary thy wife, for that which in her was begotten 'is' of the Holy Spirit,
(YLT)

Matthew 9:4
And Jesus, having known their thoughts, said, 'Why think ye evil in your hearts?
(See NAS)

Mark 2:6
But there were some of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
(See NIV)

Mark 2:8
And immediately Jesus, having known in his spirit that they thus reason in themselves, said to them, 'Why these things reason ye in your hearts?
(See NIV)

Mark 6:49
They saw Him walking on the water, and thinking that it was a spirit they cried out;
(WEY)

Luke 5:21
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, 'Who is this that doth speak evil words? who is able to forgive sins, except God only?'
(See NIV)

Luke 5:22
But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, "Why are you reasoning so in your hearts?
(See NIV)

Luke 6:8
But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, "Rise up, and stand in the middle." He arose and stood.
(See NAS NIV)

Luke 9:47
Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side,
(See NAS)

Luke 19:11
And while they are hearing these things, having added he spake a simile, because of his being nigh to Jerusalem, and of their thinking that the reign of God is about presently to be made manifest.
(YLT)

Luke 24:37
and being amazed, and becoming affrighted, they were thinking themselves to see a spirit.
(YLT NIV)

John 13:29
for certain were thinking, since Judas had the bag, that Jesus saith to him, 'Buy what we have need of for the feast;' or that he may give something to the poor;
(YLT)

John 20:15
Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?" She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."
(See NIV)

Acts 10:19
And Peter was still earnestly thinking over the vision, when the Spirit said to him, "Three men are now inquiring for you.
(WEY YLT NIV)

Acts 12:9
and having gone forth, he was following him, and he knew not that it is true that which is done through the messenger, and was thinking he saw a vision,
(YLT)

Acts 12:12
Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
(WEB WEY)

Acts 14:19
And there came thither, from Antioch and Iconium, Jews, and they having persuaded the multitudes, and having stoned Paul, drew him outside of the city, having supposed him to be dead;
(See NIV)

Acts 15:38
and Paul was not thinking it good to take him with them who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work;
(YLT)

Acts 16:27
And the jailor being awakened out of his sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison opened, having drawn a sword was going to kill himself, thinking the prisoners had fled.
(DBY)

Acts 25:18
concerning whom the accusers, having stood up, were bringing against 'him' no accusation of the things I was thinking of,
(YLT)

Romans 1:21
Because, having the knowledge of God, they did not give glory to God as God, and did not give praise, but their minds were full of foolish things, and their hearts, being without sense, were made dark.
(See RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:12
so that he who is thinking to stand -- let him observe, lest he fall.
(YLT)

1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a babe, as a babe I was speaking, as a babe I was thinking, as a babe I was reasoning, and when I have become a man, I have made useless the things of the babe;
(YLT)

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, don't be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:19
Again, think ye that to you we are making defence? before God in Christ do we speak; and the all things, beloved, 'are' for your up-building,
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 4:17
This, then, I say, and I testify in the Lord; ye are no more to walk, as also the other nations walk, in the vanity of their mind,
(See NIV)

Philippians 1:16
The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;
(WEB)

Philippians 2:2
fulfil my joy, that ye may think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking one thing;
(DBY)

Philippians 4:10
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now however at length ye have revived your thinking of me, though surely ye did also think of me, but lacked opportunity.
(DBY)

Hebrews 11:15
If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

2 Peter 3:1
This, now, beloved, a second letter to you I write, in both which I stir up your pure mind in reminding 'you',
(See NIV)

Genesis 20:10
And Abimelech said unto Abraham: 'What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?'
(See RSV)

Genesis 26:7
The men of the place asked him about his wife. He said, "She is my sister," for he was afraid to say, "My wife," lest, he thought, "the men of the place might kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to look at."
(See NAS RSV)

Genesis 32:8
and he said, "If Esau comes to the one company, and strikes it, then the company which is left will escape."
(See RSV)

Exodus 2:14
And he said: 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? thinkest thou to kill me, as thou didst kill the Egyptian?' And Moses feared, and said: 'Surely the thing is known.'
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 1:41
Then ye answered and said unto me: 'We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us.' And ye girded on every man his weapons of war, and deemed it a light thing to go up into the hill-country.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 9:5
When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, lest my father stop caring about the donkeys, and be anxious for us."
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 10:2
When you have departed from me today, then you shall find two men by Rachel's tomb, in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will tell you,'The donkeys which you went to seek have been found; and behold, your father has stopped caring about the donkeys, and is anxious for you, saying, "What shall I do for my son?"'
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 15:32
Then said Samuel, "Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites!" Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is past."
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 27:11
David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring them to Gath, saying, "Lest they should tell of us, saying,'So did David, and so has been his manner all the while he has lived in the country of the Philistines.'"
(See RSV)

1 Samuel 27:12
Achish believed David, saying, "He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him. Therefore he shall be my servant forever."
(See RSV)

2 Samuel 4:10
when someone told me,'Behold, Saul is dead,' thinking to have brought good news, I took hold of him, and killed him in Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

2 Samuel 5:6
The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, "Unless you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here;" thinking, "David can't come in here."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV)

2 Kings 7:12
Then the king got up in the night and said to his servants, This is my idea of what the Aramaeans have done to us. They have knowledge that we are without food; and so they have gone out of their tents, and are waiting secretly in the open country, saying, When they come out of the town, we will take them living and get into the town.
(See RSV NIV)

2 Kings 9:15
but king Joram was returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) Jehu said, "If this is your thinking, then let no one escape and go out of the city, to go to tell it in Jezreel."
(WEB)

2 Chronicles 32:1
After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to make a breach therein for himself.
(See RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 6:2
that Sanballat sendeth, also Geshem, unto me, saying, 'Come and we meet together in the villages, in the valley of Ono;' and they are thinking to do to me evil.
(YLT)

Nehemiah 6:6
it is written in it, 'Among the nations it hath been heard, and Gashmu is saying: Thou and the Jews are thinking to rebel, therefore thou art building the wall, and thou hast been to them for a king -- according to these words!
(YLT)

Nehemiah 6:9
For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it not be done. But now, God, strengthen my hands.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Job 1:5
And at the end of their days of feasting, Job sent and made them clean, getting up early in the morning and offering burned offerings for them all. For, Job said, It may be that my sons have done wrong and said evil of God in their hearts. And Job did this whenever the feasts came round.
(See NIV)

Job 21:27
"Behold, I know your thoughts, the devices with which you would wrong me.
(See NIV)

Psalms 64:5
They strengthen for themselves an evil thing, They recount of the hiding of snares, They have said, 'Who doth look at it?'
(See RSV)

Proverbs 23:7
For as one that hath reckoned within himself, so is he: 'Eat and drink', saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 26:3
If so be they hearken, and turn back each from his evil way, then I have repented concerning the evil that I am thinking of doing to them, because of the evil of their doings.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 29:11
For I have known the thoughts that I am thinking towards you -- an affirmation of Jehovah; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give to you posterity and hope.
(YLT)

Jeremiah 36:3
if so be the house of Israel do hear all the evil that I am thinking of doing to them, so that they turn back each from is evil way, and I have been propitious to their iniquity, and to their sin.'
(YLT)

Jeremiah 37:9
Thus says Yahweh, Don't deceive yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us; for they shall not depart.
(See NIV)

Malachi 1:7
You offer polluted bread on my altar. You say,'How have we polluted you?' In that you say,'Yahweh's table contemptible.'
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Positive Thinking

Thinking

Related Terms

Lydia (5 Occurrences)

Deceives (14 Occurrences)

Deceive (48 Occurrences)

Bilhan (3 Occurrences)

Bethbasi

Canneh (1 Occurrence)