How Do I Let The Holy Spirit Control My Mind? The 68 Latest Answer

“Since then, since you were raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things on high, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:1-4

The world has a way of bringing us down. It fills us with distractions, temptations and entertainment, promising us happiness but never fully fulfilling it. Perhaps you have felt dejected looking at the state of the world – overwhelmed by the corruption and confusion that surrounds us. Even the day-to-day responsibilities we are given can feel burdensome. When we focus on these earthly things, our eyes slip away from the “things above.” We forget the blessings and promises that come from being adopted as sons and daughters of Jesus, and our contentment in Christ also dwindles. This need not be!

Colossians 3 examines what it means to focus on the things above so that we can experience the true joy that the Father desires to shower upon us. Also, we are better able to serve him when we fix our eyes upon him – and service is ultimately the duty and pleasure of every believer.

How to focus on things above

When it comes to turning our eyes back to Christ, the Bible gives us clear instructions. We must not dwell in our old habits of fear, sin, and discouragement as we did when we were unbelievers. Instead, we are called to put down those things that hold us back and step into our new Christian lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. The old man looks at the things of this world, but the new man in Christ looks up at his commandments, promises, and spiritual power.

1. Killing what is earthly

“Kill therefore the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these comes the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. When you lived among them, you also walked these paths. But now you must put aside all such things: wrath, anger, malice, slander, and dirty language from your lips.” – Colossians 3:5-8

Our desire to look to earthly things instead of to heavenly things comes from two errors of reasoning. We either look at earthly things because we believe they will serve us in some way – such as bringing us comfort, identity, pleasure, etc. – or we look at earthly things because we forget whom we serve. However, we are a new creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10). The first step to focusing on the above things is to break free from your old self and the sins and habits that came with it.

Sin hinders a growing relationship with God and keeps your eyes on lower things. Believers, throw them off. We cannot be fully God and remain part of the system of sin from which we were set free. Imagine yourself trying to climb a ladder towards freedom with heavy weights on your feet. With every step you try to take, you are pulled back down. The ways of heaven and earth are opposed to each other. You cannot attain a heavenly mindset while holding onto your earthly actions.

2. Put on the New Self

“Do not lie to one another, having shed the old self with its practices and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Maker.” – Colossians 3:11

Casting off sin is not enough if you do it on your own. If we do it on our own, we will surely fail. Instead, we are given power to reject sin and temptation through the empowering of His Spirit and the transformation of our minds through His Word (2 Peter 1:3). You have to put on the new self. As believers we are to model Christ. The new self refers to the justified, transformed being who, in sin and shame, looks more like Jesus than our old self. Yes, we are “created like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:21-24).

3. Let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts

“Let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:15

When we focus on things of this world, our peace is stolen from us. We get caught up in the things that are transitory, forgetting the eternal foundation and unchanging identity we have in Christ. The world may shake and tremble under our feet, but Christ is our mighty tower, our refuge, our peace (Psalm 91:2). Isaiah 26:3 says that if we fix our thoughts and trust in Him, the Lord will keep us in “perfect peace.” Don’t you long for that perfect peace in your hearts? Don’t you long to put your worries aside and instead focus on Christ and the things above?

When it says that we should reign the peace of Christ in our hearts, it means that that peace should reign in our spirits. Avert your eyes from worthless things and instead rest your security, your peace, in the goodness and sovereignty of Christ. The more you look to Christ—the more you get to know our almighty, omnipresent God—the more you will trust His plan for your life. He is worthy of your trust, and he is more than capable of keeping you in peace when you first seek him out.

4. Let the word of Christ dwell richly

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God with thankfulness in your hearts.”—Colossians 3:16

One of the best ways to focus on the things above is to cherish God’s Word. We cannot expect to have peace, joy, and a Christ-centered perspective just by consuming the material of this world. If someone you love sent you a letter, would you put it on the shelf and not open it? Of course not! When we love Christ, we devote ourselves to reading his words. The Bible is an essential part of spiritual growth and helps us direct our affections to higher things.

While time to study quietly is crucial, we need to share what we learn too! We are meant to preach the good news and share heavenly things with others. It only makes sense that reading and discussing Christ-centered things draws our attention from the things of this world to His truth.

5. Thank God

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17

Gratitude may not come easily in all situations. However, the believer is well aware that all good things come from God. We all deserve his anger for our rebellion against him, for breaking his laws, and deviating from what is true and right. However, through Christ’s Atonement, He made salvation possible. Giving thanks is not only a natural expression of gratitude for Christ’s great grace upon us, but it encourages us to do the work He has given us. It reminds us of who we are and shifts our focus from our concerns to God’s power to save and provide. So fix your eyes, your heart, your mind on the things above and run the race he has set out for you to be victorious.

Life can take some uncertain corners and sometimes it can be difficult to keep a positive attitude for the future. When you have doubts or concerns, whether it is because of a difficult family situation, a health problem, or some other obstacle, consider searching the Bible for verses about hope or encouraging verses about healing. It’s never easy to be completely sure about unknown outcomes in life, and everyone needs a little reassurance that things will work out in the end. While it’s easy to dwell endlessly on what-if scenarios and worst-case scenarios, the Bible can offer some helpful guidance to put your mind at ease during frightening times.

Give up. especially in American culture, is rarely seen as something positive. It is viewed as giving up or losing. But what does it mean to make a dedication to God as a Christian?

Maybe you sang the song “I Surrender All” in church. The words in the song say “I give you everything voluntarily”. It doesn’t sound like capitulation to loss or coercion. However, our best references as people of faith are not songs, but Scripture. So let’s see what the Bible has to say about surrender.

What it means to surrender to God

As you look at what it means in Scripture to surrender to God, you may be surprised at what the Bible actually says (or doesn’t say) about surrender.

Biblical definition of surrender

Surrender means accepting that the battle was not won on your terms and willingly surrendering your life to the authority of the winning side. It means taking a humble position and accepting what is over as you want it to be.

So here’s the thing about this dedication that we’re singing about, it’s not literally in the Bible. Across multiple translations, devotion is used less than 20 times and in each case refers to literal devotion. Here are some examples from the NIV.

“They said to the Ammonites: ‘Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do with us whatever you like.'” (1 Samuel 11:10).

“If someone attacks you, it’s not me; whoever attacks you will surrender to you” Isaiah 54:15.

And the only New Testament verse:

“He released the man imprisoned for sedition and murder that they had asked, and committed Jesus to their will.” Luke 23:25.

So should devotion be part of our walk of faith? Yes I think so.

devotion in the Bible

The discipline of spiritual devotion is evident and encouraged throughout Scripture.

Spiritual devotion is an act of faith that keeps hope alive by choosing defeat over death. It is the first act for those who come to salvation and an ongoing habit for those who walk with Christ. Spiritual surrender means letting go of control and trusting God.

​

Surrendering to Christ is a decisive blow to our flesh. “I was crucified with Christ, and live no longer…” (Galatians 2:20). But that is not the end of the verse.

Giving yourself to Christ brings new hope and new life: “…but Christ lives in me. This life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Yes, you must abandon or give up your old self, but when you do, sin’s power over you is broken. “Knowing that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be put away, that we might no longer fall into sin” (Romans 6:6).​

When you make a dedication to Christ, you are not giving up your God-given identity and uniqueness. You do not surrender as a defeated hero, but as a fugitive of this world, escaping a life of slavery, starvation and abuse. We don’t surrender out of fear or threat, but in the hope that whoever we surrender to has a better life for us. And this hope does not disappoint.

A biblical example of devotion

The prodigal son returning in Luke 15:11-32 is a picture of what it means to surrender to God. The son gives up his life path and runs back to the father in hopes of becoming a servant.

His surrender is rewarded with rewards beyond his expectations. He is welcomed with open arms, lavish love, and new life as a restored son.

Jesus lived a life of constant devotion to the Father. As he said, “Certainly, I tell you, the son can do nothing of his own accord except what he sees the father doing. For whatever he does, so does the Son” (John 5:19).

And as he said to the father when the time came to lay down his life, “Not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42).

Walking with Christ means constantly surrendering, trusting that the God who created your children has a plan for them and loves them more than you. and relinquish control.

Trusting God in uncertain times

The world is a bit choppy right now and things may be feeling out of control. Maybe you don’t know who to trust or who to trust. If it feels overwhelming, please know that you are not alone and that your feelings are normal.

But as people of faith, we are blessed with some certainties.

God is in control and He cares about you.

One day Jesus will return and bring healing and righteousness.

God will never leave you or change his mind about loving you.

Devotion to God in Education

An education that honors Christ requires a great deal of dedication. For mothers, it starts with facing the discomforts and changes of pregnancy. Later, it means giving up your sleep and schedule and pushing yourself.

Surrendering also means letting go of our parental fears, which assume the worst and make us overprotective. Our anxiety stunts growth and creates fear and frustration in a child.

We are to protect our children, not to serve our own fears, but to serve a God who will hold us accountable for our care

We do not own our children, we are their stewards for God. In the parable of the talents, Jesus warns us not to let fear guide our stewardship (Matthew 25:24-27). Proper care requires taking reasonable risks. When we are overprotective, we stand in the way of our children maturing as God intended.

As a parent, do you want more encouragement? Attend the FREE Biblical Gentle Parenting Summit online on October 4th, 2021!

How to surrender to God and let go

If you feel like you are struggling for control or feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, it is a sign that you need to let go. Repent and turn away from doing things your way and lean on God.

Romans 2:4 says God’s goodness is meant to bring you to repentance. So trust that when you surrender, you will receive relief and calm. His kindness will motivate you to let go. Read and meditate on verses that remind you of these truths.

“And those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” Psalm 9:10.

“For whoever draws near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” Hebrews 11:6

“Cast all your worries on him because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7

Surrender to God’s prayer

To practice proper Christian devotion, you must devote your fears and anxieties to prayer (Philippians 4:6). You surrender to Him, so talk to Him. They come to God for healing and hope, so ask.

I recently told God that I wanted to stop “quick teasing” – being snappy with my kids.

I had been looking at the verse “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” in James 1:19 almost every day. I made this verse as a free downloadable mobile wallpaper so I would see it often. I think it helped, but I hadn’t felt any real conviction and turned to God in prayer.

And then I prayed. That’s it. I just said it. I prayed it And somehow without much effort, without a plan, without striving – I haven’t snapped since. I give God full credit.

Final thoughts on what it means to surrender to God

Sometimes, especially when it comes to fighting in the flesh, devotion is more effective than our striving. It’s ironic struggling with surrender, isn’t it? Surrender is about stopping thriving and fighting.

Will I be snappy again one day? That’s what I expect. I’m still here with my meat. But then I give up again.

Excerpts from Parenting in Christ: Training in the Disciplines of Jesus

Lesson 1 – Giving up

What would be the hardest thing for you to give up for the rest of your life? As parents, how do you need to make a greater dedication to God?

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Brandon Wenzel

fuel for the soul

For the past two weeks, Quest Church writers have been speaking on the subject of Infinitely More and how God wants to do infinitely more in your life than you can ask or imagine! This week I want to talk about two things that the Holy Spirit wants to do in you.

The first thing he wants to do is bring POWER into your life. Power to do and be more than you can imagine! Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. And you will be my witnesses and tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This power, which comes from the Holy Spirit, enables you to be strong for the things of God to admit We find in the Bible that immediately after receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter, who had denied Jesus three times two months earlier, stands before a crowd and over 3,000 people come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The second thing the Holy Spirit wants to do in us is to give us SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The gifts of the Spirit are set forth at 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 and relate to such things as miraculous healing, wisdom, prophecy, speaking in tongues, and discernment. These gifts were manifested 2,000 years ago, but they can be alive and well in our own lives today! Through personal experience and the testimonies of others, I have seen these gifts in action. Each time they have shown themselves, they have blessed the individual recipient of the gift, glorifying God in the process.

Now is the time for our culture to take a stand with the power of the Holy Spirit for the things that grieve God. We are called to be the audible voice of God to the world around us. And by doing so, we can have a voice to speak out against the injustices of this world. As things calm down with civil unrest and COVID-19, we must never hide our God who lives within us.

We are to have compassion in our lives. To have pity means to “suffer with.” That means when racism happens, we suffer with that community. When a disease breaks out, we suffer with those families. When our teachers have to rearrange their classrooms to accommodate and they are tired, lost and confused, we suffer with them. This is something we are commanded to do. Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

Can you imagine what our world would look like if all humans did this? What if we all suffered with those who suffer? Have we had patience when those who are hurt take action, or have we had humility and realized that what we know is not always true? These things are only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. So ask the Holy Spirit today to enter your life and give you that extra strength you may need to stand up in Jesus name!

You’ve probably heard people say, “I’m feeling the Spirit strongly right now.”

Maybe you feel something at this moment too. But is there something wrong with you if you don’t?

Short answer: not at all.

Because people experience the influence of the Holy Spirit differently. That’s the wonderful thing about the messages of the Holy Spirit: They are made just for you.

For some people, the Holy Ghost can cause them to feel overwhelmed with emotion and moved to tears. For others, tears rarely or never come. And that’s okay. For them, the Holy Ghost can inspire a subtle sense of gratitude, peace, awe, or love (see Galatians 5:22–23).

The scriptures also describe the Holy Ghost as a “burning” in the bosom (see Doctrine and Covenants 9:8–9). But the intensity or degree of this “burn” can be different for everyone. Sometimes it’s like a small glowing ember instead of a raging bonfire.

Or perhaps you have heard the Holy Ghost described as “a still, still voice” (see Doctrine and Covenants 85:6). And you immediately thought, “But I didn’t HEAR a voice. Is something wrong with me?”

Again not at all. This biblical description does not necessarily mean that we all hear a literal voice. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “The Spirit speaks words that we feel. These feelings are gentle, a nudge to act, to do something, to say something, to react in a certain way.”1

The point is, each of us will experience the Holy Spirit differently. And to varying degrees. What matters is that we live worthy of receiving it and knowing it when it comes. As we do so, we will begin to notice that His influence in our lives is far greater than we expected.

Remarks

1. Ronald A. Rasband, “Let the Holy Spirit Guide,” Apr. 2017 general conference.

Walk in the Spirit, Paul tells believers in Galatians 5:16. Secure. Easier said than done.

How do I know when my actions are Spirit driven and when they are not? We humans are perfectly capable of persuading ourselves that we live by the Spirit when we’re not even close to it.

The life of the Spirit, in contrast to the life of the sinful nature, has these characteristics: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). Years ago I made it my goal to live by these truths because I thought that was a very good list of qualities for every individual to pursue. What I didn’t realize at the time was that each of these qualities had a deep meaning that I had yet to discover.

Two ways to know you are walking in the Spirit

I certainly haven’t figured it all out, but here are two things that I have found helpful in my desire to live the Spirit.

1. The Spirit of God will always agree with the Word of God.

Study the Word of God. It is true, immutable, its applicability is infinite, and it is fascinating. For example, the word love has taken on new meaning over the years as I have read the Bible. We speak of loving our clothes, our vacations, our families, and God. These are all different meanings of the word love, of course, but none of them competes with the love of God.

God loves us loyally, unconditionally, and perfectly, and the only way to understand the depths of his love is to read his word and discover how he loved those who came before us and how he loved us, by sending Jesus. We can rationalize much by appealing to love, but God’s love is the only true measure of love.

God’s love is gracious, merciful and very patient. There were times when I wanted to blame someone to let them know what I really think and I justified it by saying what they did just wasn’t right. The individual may have been wrong and there may have been a time for a wise confrontation, but certainly not when I was so angry. When I acted in anger, it was clearly not the Holy Spirit guiding me; it was my sinful nature all along. After a few incidents of this nature, I learned the value of Ephesians 4:26, 29: “Be angry and do not sin… Let no corrupting speech come out of your mouth.”

Reading the Bible is the best way I know to compare what I call love with the love of God. The Spirit of God will never cause you to do anything against the Word of God.

2. The Spirit of God will lead you to freedom.

Years ago I attended a retreat on the Fruit of the Spirit. We all showed ourselves alert and ready to be inspired by the Word of God. There we learned of God’s true and unconditional love, moved to joy under all circumstances, rested in peace by faith, challenged one another to show kindness, set our eyes on good, inspired one another to be faithful, and pondered how we could be gentler.

It was emotionally draining. As we looked at what each fruit of the Spirit actually meant, we felt increasingly discouraged. How could we ever live as those nine little words ask of us? An oppressive feeling came over the group.

Luckily, God used that moment to teach us to think backwards.

A friend of mine spoke about the ultimate fruit of self-control. She said that she naturally has very little self-control and likely never will have much of it. She identified several areas where she struggled to show control.

Quite simply, she reminded us that no one can show these fruits of the Spirit on their own. We may have an inclination or ability in one or two areas that can pass as real spirit-filled fruit. But if we do it ourselves, then by definition it is not a fruit of the Spirit. The more we try to be more loving, joyful, or peaceful on our own, the more we defeat the only hope we have in the spirit.

These nine qualities are fruits of the spirit, not fruits of our own determination or tenacity.

The fog of failure in the room lifted noticeably as we all recognized with renewed appreciation the freedom available to us in Jesus Christ. Freedom from trying so hard and always falling short. Freedom from the burden of wanting to be something we are not. Freedom from the judgment that comes upon us when we fail.

How our work and the work of the Spirit fit together

This raises another question: Does wanting to live by these attributes and have my thoughts upon them daily mean trying to take over the mind?

No it is not. My desire to live a Spirit-filled life is evidence that the Spirit lives within me (Romans 8:5). Every believer has the Holy Spirit of Jesus and the freedom to live according to His power and influence. The inevitable tension, however, arises from turning our thoughts to the Spirit while at the same time inhabiting a damaged nature and living in a sinful world. This is a tension we will experience until we get to heaven.

I wonder if we’re not giving enough credit to the Holy Spirit within us. We have the Holy Spirit of God, so why do we so often doubt that he is our guide? I’ve looked through all the verses in the New Testament that contain the word “spirit” and the warning that came to my mind was don’t quench the spirit, don’t ignore it. If we listen to the Spirit in freedom, tested by our knowledge of the Bible, then we should be able to trust the Spirit to guide us.

Without a doubt we will fail. Paul describes such a failure in Romans 7, and if he struggled with it, surely we will too. But Romans 7 comes right before the beautiful passage of Romans 8 that says we will not be judged and speaks of the power of the Spirit in our lives. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Jonathan Edwards put it this way about God’s active and effective grace in our lives:

[We] are not just passive, nor does God do some and we do the rest, but God does everything and we do everything. God creates everything and we do everything. For that is what He produces, our own deeds. God is the only correct originator and source; we’re just the right actors. We are totally passive and totally active in different ways. (Writings on the Trinity, Grace, and Faith, in The Works of Jonathan Edwards)

As we focus on the Spirit, knowing the Word of God, learning from our mistakes and successes, and turning to God’s grace, we come closer to walking with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

How else do you know you are walking by the Holy Ghost?

spiritual gifts

For the charisms listed in the New Testament, see Gift of the Spirit

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is an enumeration of seven spiritual gifts first found in the Book of Isaiah[1] and widely commented on by Patristic authors[2]. They are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, godliness, and fear of God.[3]

Book of Isaiah[edit]

Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Folio from Walter’s manuscript W.171 (15th century)

The seven gifts are found in the book of Isaiah[4] 11:1-2, a passage that refers to the characteristics of a messianic figure empowered by the “Spirit of the Lord.”[5]

The Greek and Hebrew versions of the Bible differ slightly in the listing of the gifts. In the Hebrew version (the Masoretic text), the “Spirit of the Lord” is described in terms of six attributes: wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, and “glory of the Lord.” The last attribute (honor of the Lord) is mentioned twice.[6] In the earliest Greek translation (the Septuagint), the first mention of godliness is translated “spirit of […] piety” (πνεῦμα […] εὐσεβείας).[7]

Verse Hebrew

Masoretic[8] English

New international version[9] Greek

Septuagint[10] Latin

Vulgate[11] 11.1 א וְיָצָא חֹטֶר, מִגֵּזַע יִשָׁי; וְנֵצֶר, מִשָּׁרָשָׁיו יִפְרֶה. ‎ A sprout will come out of the stump of Jesse;

from its roots a branch will bear fruit. και εξελευσεται ραβδος εκ της ριζης ιεσσαι

και ανθος εκ της ριζης αναβησεται et egredietur virga de radice Iesse

et flos de radice eius ascendet 11.2 ב וְנָחָה עָלָיו, רוּחַ יְהוָה–רוּחַ חָכְמָה וּבִינָה,

רוּחַ עֵצָה וּגְבוּרָה, רוּחַ דַּעַת, וְיִרְאַת יְהוָה. ‎ The Spirit of the LORD will rest upon him –

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and power,

the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord – και αναπαυσεται επ’ αυτον πνευμα του θεου

πνευμα σοφιας και συνεσεως

πνευμα βουλης και ισχυος

πνευμα γνωσεως και ευσεβειας et requiescet super eum spiritus Domini

Spiritus sapientiae and intellectus

spiritus consilii and fortitudinis

spiritus scientiae and pietatis 11.3 ‎ and he shall delight in the fear of the LORD. εμπλησει αυτον πνευμα φοβου θεου et replebit eum spiritus timoris Domini

The names of the seven gifts mentioned in the Greek translation were then translated into Latin as follows:

sapientia intellectus consilium fortitudo cognitiō (or scientia as in the scripture above) pietas timor Domini.

In Christianity[edit]

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are one of several lists of virtues, vices, and blessings in Christian devotional literature that follow a scheme of seven.[12] Others are the seven deadly sins, the seven virtues, the seven last words of the cross, the seven petitions of the Lord’s Prayer and the Beatitudes.[13]

The seven gifts were often represented as doves in medieval texts and are particularly prominent in depictions of the Tree of Jesse, which depicts Jesus’ genealogy. For St. Thomas Aquinas, the dove, by its qualities, signifies every gift of the Holy Spirit.[14]

Catholicism[ edit ]

Although the New Testament does not refer to Isaiah 11:1-2 regarding these gifts,[15][16] according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “these gifts complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them.”[17 ] initiates receive at Baptism and are strengthened at Confirmation so that the truths of faith may be proclaimed. “Receiving the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the fulfillment of the grace of baptism” because “through the sacrament of Confirmation [the baptized] are bound more completely to the Church and enriched with a special power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, as true witnesses of Christ, they have a greater obligation to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”[18]

Anglican Communion[ edit ]

Catholic teaching is echoed by the Anglican Church, which teaches that “the transmission of the gifts of the Spirit is conjoined with baptism, and with confirmation and ordination.”[3] Confirmation completes baptism since it occurs through the laying on of hands by the bishop that the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are bestowed.[19]

The seven gifts[ edit ]

wisdom [edit]

Wisdom is considered the first and greatest of gifts. It acts on both the intellect and the will.[20] According to St. Bernard, it illuminates the mind and instills an attraction to the divine. Adolphe Tanquerey OP explained the difference between the gift of wisdom and that of understanding: “The latter is a view of the mind, the former an experience of the heart; one is light, the other love, and so they unite and complete each other.”[21] A wise and loving heart is the culmination of the theological virtue of charity.

understand [edit]

Understanding helps one relate all truths to one’s supernatural purpose; it further enlightens the understanding of Scripture; and it helps us to understand the meaning of religious rituals. This gift strengthens discernment through prayer, scripture, and the sacraments. All of this gives a person a deep appreciation of God’s providence.[22]

advice [edit]

Advice acts as a kind of supernatural intuition to enable a person to make quick and correct judgments, especially in difficult situations. It perfects the cardinal virtue of prudence. While prudence works in harmony with reason enlightened by faith, the gift of counsel works under the direction of the Holy Spirit to enlighten the will of God.[23]

steadfastness[ edit ]

Bravery is often identified with courage, but Aquinas also includes perseverance. Joseph J. Rickaby describes it as a willingness to stand up for what is right in the eyes of God, even if it means accepting rejection, abuse, or physical harm. The gift of fortitude gives people the spiritual strength needed to do good and endure evil.[24] It is the fulfillment of the cardinal virtue of the same name.

knowledge [edit]

The gift of knowledge, as far as humanly possible, allows one to see things from God’s perspective. It “allows us to perceive the greatness of God and his love for his creatures” through creation.[25]

piety[ edit ]

Piety aligns with reverence. A reverent person acknowledges their total trust in God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. Thomas Aquinas says that piety perfects the virtue of religion, which is an aspect of the virtue of justice, by attributing to God what is due to God.[26] In a series of lectures on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis said piety is a recognition of “our belonging to God, our deep communion with him, a relationship that gives meaning to our whole lives and keeps us committed in communion with him, ourselves in the most difficult and troubled moments.” Francis continues: “Piety is not just external religiosity; It is this genuine religious spirit that leads us to turn to the Father as His children and to grow in our love for others, seeing them as our brothers and sisters.”[27]

fear of god [edit]

Fear of God is related to wonder (or awe). With the gift of godliness one becomes aware of the glory and majesty of God. During a general audience in June 2014, Pope Francis said it was “not submissive fear, but a joyful awareness of the greatness of God and a grateful knowledge that only in him can our hearts find true peace”.[28] A man of wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all his desires. Aquinas describes this gift as fear of separation from God. He describes the gift as “childlike fear,” like a child’s fear of offending his father, rather than “submissive fear,” that is, fear of punishment. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. It is the fulfillment of the theological virtue of hope.

Thomas Aquinas: Relation to the virtues

In Summa Theologiae I.II, q. 68, a1, Saint Thomas Aquinas says that four of these gifts (wisdom, understanding, knowledge and counsel) direct the intellect, while the other three gifts (valor, piety and fear of God) direct the will to God.[ 29]

In some respects the gifts are similar to the virtues, but an essential difference is that the virtues work under the impulse of human reason (impelled by grace), while the gifts work under the impulse of the Holy Spirit; The former can be used if desired, but the latter, according to Aquinas, only works if the Holy Spirit desires it. In the case of bravery, the gift has the same name in Latin and English as the virtue to which it is related, but from which it must be distinguished.

In Summa Theologiae II.II Thomas Aquinas asserts the following correspondences between the seven heavenly virtues and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:[30]

The gift of wisdom corresponds to the virtue of charity.

The gifts of insight and knowledge correspond to the virtue of faith.

The gift of advice (right judgment) corresponds to the virtue of prudence.

The gift of fortitude corresponds to the virtue of courage.

The gift of fear of God corresponds to the virtue of hope.

The gift of reverence corresponds to the virtue of justice.

No gift is directly attributed to the virtue of temperance; but the gift of fear can be taken as such, since fear drives one to limit oneself from forbidden pleasures.

Rev. Brian Shanley contrasts the gifts with the virtues thus: “What the gifts do beyond the theological virtues (which they presuppose) is to make the agent sensitive to the special promptings of the Holy Spirit by actively practicing the life of the virtues ; the gifts are necessary for the perfect working of the virtues, especially in the face of our human frailty and in difficult situations.”[31]

Augustine: Relation to the Beatitudes[ edit ]

Saint Augustine made a connection between the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12).

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, reflecting the fear of the Lord, as the “poor in spirit” are the humble and godly.

, reflects the fear of the Lord, since the “poor in spirit” are the humble and godly. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted, equals the gift of knowledge, for Augustine’s knowledge of God brings both a heightened awareness of personal sin and, to some degree, sadness at the abandonment of practices and activities that divide one From God.

, corresponds to the gift of knowledge, since for Augustine knowledge of God brings with it both a heightened awareness of personal sin and, to some degree, sadness at abandoning practices and activities that separate one from God. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the land, refers to piety.

, refers to piety. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied, referring to bravery.

, refers to bravery. Blessed are the merciful, for they are shown mercy demonstrating the gift of counsel.

demonstrates the gift of advice. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God, the gift of understanding.

, the gift of understanding. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God, wisdom.

, wisdom. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.[32]

See also[edit]

Rev. Tim McConnell

reverent

How often have you been faced with a difficult decision, a multitude of choices, or several different paths to take? Have you felt overwhelmed, confused, and really wished you had guidance from someone or more than just one person? At times like these, we can find some reassurance in counselors, trusted friends, family friends, and maybe even our pastor.

But the fact is that we are all faced with decisions every day. Some of our decisions are small: what we wear or eat, when we make the phone call, what show we watch on TV, or when we go to bed. And yet we find that big decisions are coming our way that sometimes need to be resolved one way or another. Business decisions, relationships that require attention, wise decisions regarding marriage and career—all of these require a great deal of thought and judgment. We rely on our own experience, the wisdom of others, and our logical skills to make these decisions.

Those of us who call ourselves disciples of Jesus have resources available through prayer, scripture, and the counsel of more mature Christians who may have walked the same path. As a church minister, I have spent time with many people who are trying to make the right decisions in their lives. They want to live their lives according to God’s will and be able to discern the difference between His will and their own desires. It is important to them to make wise decisions that reflect the heart of God. You don’t want to make wrong decisions.

As Trevor Hudson explains in his book, Holy Spirit Here and Now, our responses to these critical times of choice shape our lives and who we are. He writes: “We become who we are through the choices we make. So we ask questions like these: How do we find God’s way for our lives? How do we make decisions that are in harmony with God’s purposes? How can we know when God is speaking to us? How do we help each other with these questions?”

I believe that one purpose, perhaps the most important purpose of Jesus sending his Spirit, was to help us in our decision making. From the initial decision to become a believer, to the desire to live a holy life, to the big and small decisions of everyday life, I believe we can depend on the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions.

Indeed, in both testaments there are numerous examples of the Holy Spirit as a guide; from leading the people of Israel through prophets, signs, visions to Jesus and Paul and certainly in the formation of the early church. “Biblical references like this encourage us to believe that the Spirit’s guidance covers all kinds of decisions,” writes Hudson. “Indeed, in the face of such strong biblical support for God’s guidance, we can boldly affirm this good news: the Holy Spirit desires to guide us in our decision-making.”

God gives us free choice and free will to live our lives the way we choose. This gift of freedom is the greatest gift he can give. God wants us to choose because we want to love and obey him, to make our choices within the overall plan of his will. It is the Holy Spirit who can guide our decisions, even when we are free to make them.

We can allow the Holy Spirit to help us exercise our agency through applying the spiritual practices of scripture study, personal prayer, and meditation, to the counsel of our family of faith, past and present, and to our own thinking skills and experiences Listen . But ultimately, each of us must make every decision, big or small, for ourselves.

When it comes to important decisions that will forever change our mortal life, perhaps the words of Joshua are relevant to you and me: “Now, then, honor the Lord. Serve him honestly and faithfully. Put away the gods your ancestors served across the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if you think serving the Lord seems wrong, choose today who you will serve. Choose the gods your ancestors served across the Euphrates or the Amorite gods in whose land you live. But my family and I will serve the Lord” (24:14,15 CEB).

The Holy Spirit of God and Jesus has a place in our decision making. He is our guide, our source of light and the revealer of the path of truth. Let us entrust him with our decisions, big or small!

Such is the opinion of Rev. Tim McConnell, associate pastor of Long’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Lake Junaluska. Contact him at 828-456-3993 or pastortimc.blogspot.com.

How does your stream of consciousness sound?

Words keep running through my head; some are good and useful, others are not. My mental monologue generally contains too much self-centered and self-defeating babble.

“What stupidity to say that!” (Imaginary palm to forehead.) “Did she just ignore me?” (Anger followed by an anxious feeling that I’ll be easily forgotten.) “That’s a good idea for a blog post…or maybe it’s just plain stupid.” ‘ (Internal debate.) ‘I’d like to ________, but I don’t know if I can do it.’ (Who do I think I am?)

It goes on and on. It is exhausting.

My mind needs a refresher. Maybe you too can benefit from these steps.

Step 1: Ask the Lord to protect and direct your spirit.

My mind is the place of my intellect, my reasoning and my intentions; my behavior begins in my mind, and my mind is where spiritual transformation takes place (Romans 12:2). The object of my regular thinking will determine how my days, years and ultimately my life unfold. Everything starts in the mind.

Too often I just don’t bother asking the Lord for protection, guidance, and oversight of my thoughts. From now on, I will do my best to start my day with a simple prayer: Jesus, through your Holy Spirit, fix my thoughts on where you want them to be today.

Step 2: Recognize the source of self-centered and self-destructive thoughts.

Given that my behavior begins in my mind and my mind is where spiritual transformation takes place, is it any surprise that the adversary wants to mess with my thinking? It has to be his favorite first attempt to distract and disarm Christians, and it usually works.

I have experienced periods of mental suppression that seem almost physical. A feeling of heaviness accompanies my self-destructive thoughts. Most of the time I realize that I’m engaged in some spiritual struggle, but I can’t get rid of it right away. I pray. I admit. I read God’s word. I pray some more. (It should be noted that my case is not clinical depression and if it was, I would seek medical attention.)

Eventually my mind is free, but it’s not because I thought positively enough or talked myself out of it. This may work temporarily, but it won’t fix the problem. I know who the enemy is, and I also know the only one who can defeat him.

Recognize the enemy and fight them with God’s power and biblical truth.

Step 3: Replace self-centered thinking with God-centered thinking.

After praying for the Lord to protect my spirit and realizing the enemy, I have a choice. Will I train my brain to focus on the things of God, or will I let the things of this world consume it?

Focusing my thoughts on God takes some work. When I’m not taking purposeful action to keep my mind on Jesus Christ, I’m allowing my mind to go where it wants to go. I know where it’s going and it’s nowhere well.

I know myself. So even when I’m fully convinced of God’s love and care, I still have to decide what to think about and what not to think about.

The following verses help me to focus my thoughts on things on high and not on things on earth:

So if you’re risen with Christ, then look for the things that are above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Focus your thoughts on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. (Colossians 3:1-2) For those who live according to the flesh fix their thoughts on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit fix their thoughts on the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is righteous, whatever is pure, whatever is beautiful, whatever is praiseworthy, whether there is any excellence, if there is anything praiseworthy, ponder these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Step 4: Rest in the truth that you are accepted in Jesus Christ.

I will pray that the Lord will protect my spirit, help me recognize my enemy, and work to keep my spirit focused on God. Sometimes I will be successful and sometimes not. Increasingly, over time, it will be the former.

There are days when I can only rest in the truth that I am at peace with God, that I am free from accusation and that I am God’s child.

By believing in Jesus Christ we have peace with God. “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

In Christ we are free from accusation. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

In Christ we are children of God and heirs together with Jesus. “The Spirit himself testifies to our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ…” (Romans 8:16-17).

My identity in Jesus Christ is the central fact that affects my present circumstances and determines my eternal future, and it is available by faith alone. Do not doubt; do not be surprised; don’t question it.

Accept God’s gracious gift and rest in it.

Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 daily.

By using these five techniques, I hope that the next time I feel stupid, ignored, or question my abilities, I’ll learn to test my thinking. God doesn’t judge me, so I know thoughts of self-judgment aren’t coming from Him. There is no fear in God’s love, so I can safely ignore these thoughts when I’m feeling anxious or down.

Ultimately, God wants me to be changed to be like his son Jesus. Jesus did not engage in the kind of mental machinations I have described – He was totally focused on the Father’s will. Because that was true of him, it will increasingly be true of me… and one day that work will be completed within me.

How do you keep your mind from entertaining unhealthy, untrue, or distracting thoughts?

—————

Watch as Pastor Colin Smith explains why the Bible is more than information.

Sign up for the free Watch Your Life course for free hands-on ministry training that develops the heart of a minister of Christ. Learn more about Open the Bible for Leaders.

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Share on Pinterest Mihajlo Ckovric/Offset Images So you want to control your mind. You may want to stop thinking about a recent breakup or feel discouraged from a year of physical distancing and embrace a more hopeful perspective. Unwanted thoughts can cause a lot of frustration and stress. They’re not the only ones who want them gone. It’s normal to have trouble convincing yourself to look up when you’re feeling down in the face of stress and other challenges. While actual mind control belongs in the realm of science fiction, you can work on changing the way you think. It may take some effort to learn the trick to regaining control, but the following 10 strategies can help.

Identify the thoughts you want to change. It goes without saying that you need to find out what’s going on inside your head before you can start controlling it. Almost everyone experiences discouraging thoughts or emotional setbacks from time to time. If you are currently experiencing some life challenges, you may find it even harder to stay in control of spiraling thoughts or your general way of thinking. Occasional intrusive thoughts are also fairly normal. They can be excruciating, but they often pass as quickly as they entered, especially if you don’t engage with them. Other troubling thought patterns could include: rumination or repetitive thoughts

negative self-talk

cognitive biases or thinking errors that may affect your decisions or interactions

A Firm Pessimistic Attitude Identifying specific thoughts and patterns can help you get the most out of the other tips below.

Accept Unwanted Thoughts It’s human nature to shy away from pain, so naturally you’d rather avoid thoughts that cause stress. However, suppressing unwanted thoughts is not the way to gain control. This usually just makes them more intense. Instead, try the opposite: accept those thoughts and let them in. Suppose you’re feeling a little down because, despite all your hard work, nothing in your life seems to be going the way you planned. Accepting might involve telling yourself, “Nothing seems to be going right, and that’s discouraging. There’s only so much you can do to make a change yourself, but giving up isn’t the answer.” Acceptance can even provide clues as to why certain thoughts keep popping up. Maybe you keep thinking about an affair that ghosted you. Accepting these persistent thoughts leads you to realize that you really wanted your connection to last. Her disappearance left you with unresolved questions and an overwhelming sense of unworthiness. You worry about dating failure and afraid to try again. If you acknowledge these fears, you can confront them and remind yourself that you are not responsible for their bad manners. Keeping an eye on the situation can help you manage your worries about it happening again, rather than letting fear hold you back from finding someone new.

Try meditation. A great way to get used to accepting unwanted thoughts? Meditation. It may not seem like meditation actually helps you control your mind, especially when you start out. You sit, you relax, but no matter how you try to clear your head, random thoughts keep popping up to distract you from the calm you’re trying to achieve. Here’s what you should know about meditation: It can really help transform your brain, but you have to stick with it. The trick is learning to sit with the thoughts you don’t want. You notice her, but then you let her go, which helps loosen her hold on you.

And you’ve regained some control. The more you meditate, the easier it will be to let unwanted thoughts pass you by. Mindfulness meditation, in particular, can help you focus better on things as they happen. As you become more mindful, you will find that you no longer have to constantly withdraw your awareness from troubling or distracting thoughts. In addition to improving control of your consciousness, meditation offers other benefits: It can also reduce the intensity of negative emotions and stress, increase resilience and compassion, and even help slow age-related cognitive decline.

Change Your Perspective Talking to yourself can help you change the way you think, but how you talk to yourself is crucial. If speaking in the first person doesn’t seem to have much of an effect, try switching to the third person perspective. For example: Instead of: “I’m miserable, but I’ve been through worse, so I can deal with that.”

“I’m miserable, but I’ve been through worse, so I can handle that too.” Try, “I know you’re feeling miserable right now, but you’ve worked hard to cope with other challenges. I know you have the strength to face this new problem as well.” It may feel a little awkward, but this cognitive reappraisal strategy offers a few important benefits. First, it helps to reposition yourself as an outside observer to make room for intense thoughts and emotions. You step away from a mindset that only fuels stress. When looking at a situation from this newly distanced perspective, it’s often easier to see the big picture, not just the most immediate implications. Second, consciously choosing to look at situations from the third-person perspective helps you interrupt circling thoughts and productively explore your feelings. As you refocus on the specific experience affecting you, substitute questions like, “Why do I feel this way?” and “Why did that affect me so deeply?” with third-person questions: “Why does [your name] feel like this?” or “What about this situation triggered these feelings?” Changing your perspective helps get your mind to see yourself as a different person, giving you detachment from your own troubles. This also has advantages when it comes to self-motivation, as people tend to accept outside support rather than inside encouragement.

Focus on Positive Positive reframing is another re-evaluation strategy that can help you take back control of your mindset. Positive thinking doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine, ignoring problems, or not considering helpful solutions.

Rather, it’s about giving your negative thoughts a more positive turn—looking to the bright side and finding a silver lining in the storm clouds overhead. Reframing will not change the actual outcome of a situation, but it can change the way you think about your circumstances. Suppose you slipped in wet leaves and fell off your bike while training for a race. You did not sustain life-threatening injuries, but you broke your ankle. This puts you out of commission for several weeks, leaving you disappointed and irritated with yourself for carelessly driving. Blaming yourself will likely only make you feel worse. However, self-compassion can help you calmly accept disappointment and focus your attention on your next opportunity. Maybe you’re praising yourself for always making sure you wear your helmet, telling yourself you’ll be better prepared for racing next year, or thankful you didn’t break anything else.

Try guided imagery Guided imagery is a meditation technique that uses you to visualize positive, peaceful scenarios to promote a calmer state of mind. According to a small 2014 study, guided imagery appears to promote a more positive mood and may help reduce stress and anxiety. Once you feel calmer, you may find it easier to maintain a relaxed state and regain control of your thoughts and your general way of thinking. Start with this simple exercise: get comfortable—sitting works best—and close your eyes. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Just keep breathing like this as you create your visual scene. Create a relaxing scene in your mind with lots of sensory detail. Try to think of something that brings you peace, whether it’s the lakefront at your childhood home, the beaten path at your favorite park, or a green, crisp fall day. Fully develop the scene by including the sounds, smells and the feel of the air on your skin. Imagine yourself wandering through the scene you’ve created, perceiving your surroundings and taking in every detail. Continue to breathe slowly, absorbing the peace of the scene and relaxing. Spend 10 to 15 minutes enjoying your picture. End the exercise with a few deep breaths and open your eyes.

Write it down Putting your thoughts in writing may not change it immediately, but it can help you gain more control over unwanted feelings. Simply writing down a thought is often enough to lessen its intensity. It may be scary to challenge and accept stress directly, but putting those feelings on paper can help you acknowledge them somewhat indirectly. If you want to further distance yourself from disturbing thoughts, you can even try writing them down in narrative form, as if you were telling a story. Writing can help you become more comfortable expressing difficult feelings. Ultimately, these unwanted thoughts may trigger fewer fear responses, and you may not feel the same distress when they arise. Try ending a meditation or imagination session with a 15-minute journal. You can write about any positive or negative thoughts that come to your mind. Journaling also helps you find patterns of unhelpful thoughts or behaviors. You may regularly take the blame after a fight with your partner. This causes you to feel bad and doubt your relationship skills. Observing this pattern will help you see that you both have a role to play in the conflict. You decide to take healthier responsibility for your own part while working towards a more productive solution in the future.

Try focused distractions. You won’t want to distract yourself in every situation; It’s probably unwise to resolve wandering thoughts during a colleague’s presentation by launching a game on your phone. However, in some circumstances, targeted distractions can help redirect thoughts and improve your mental state. Certain types of distractions can even increase motivation and productivity. Let’s say you’re feeling down and uncomfortable because a week of inclement weather delayed your hike. You’re unhappy because you can’t do what you planned, so you turn your attention to things you wanted to achieve. When you finish a library book, tidy your room, and sort through old clothes to donate, you’ll feel like you’ve made the most of your time. This inspires you to get even more done before you head out. Other positive distractions could include spending time with loved ones

listening to calming or uplifting music

go for a walk Just make sure you use distractions as temporary pauses, not outright denial or avoidance.

Work on Managing Stress When circumstances beyond your control bring stress into your life, it often becomes more difficult to regulate your state of mind. Stress and anxiety can fuel unwanted thoughts. This can create more worry and create a cycle that can quickly become overwhelming. Start taking back control by exploring the top sources of stress in your life and finding ways to eliminate or reduce those triggers. Most people cannot completely eliminate stress triggers. Stress often comes from outside. You can’t always control what’s happening around you. This is where self-care comes in. Taking the time to take care of your mind and body can benefit your overall well-being. It also makes it easier to bounce back from life’s difficulties with a more hopeful attitude. Self-care can include: getting good sleep

eat nutritious food

social connection

ask for help if needed

Take time to relax Learn how to create a personalized self-care plan.

Talk to a Therapist Learning to control your mind is sometimes easier said than done. The above tips may not make much of a difference with ongoing mental illness and symptoms including: Depression

fear

obsessions and compulsions

intrusive thoughts that keep returning or getting more intense

overly suspicious or negative thoughts about others

Persistent grief or sadness It pays to seek professional support for any mindset that’s affecting your relationships and overall well-being. A therapist can help you identify the underlying issues and possible solutions. Therapy also provides space to work on self-compassion and practice positive self-talk, two helpful strategies for taking back control of your mindset. Look for a therapist who offers: cognitive behavioral therapy

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

Acceptance and attachment therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy These approaches are specifically designed to help people better accept, challenge, and reformulate unhelpful thoughts.

Keeping our thoughts with God is incredibly important to our daily walk with the Lord. In fact, we are called upon to do so in several places in Scripture, and it is one of the best ways to renew our minds.

“So if you are risen with Christ, seek that which is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your thoughts on things on high, not on things on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

But how do we focus our thoughts on the things above? In this article, we’ll cover 10 ways to do just that. Let’s start.

#1: Avoid consuming the things of this world

This may seem obvious, but it is often forgotten. We need to be aware that whatever we feed on throughout the day is ultimately thought through. the bible says

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for from it spring the questions of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

We have to watch and guard what we are digesting all day long. If we want to focus on the Lord, we don’t have time to sit in front of the TV, play some video games, or read books that have nothing to do with the Lord. We must be diligent in avoiding anything contrary to the truth.

Have you ever wondered why your mind wanders during prayer? Or why can’t you focus on God all day? The main reason is that there are times when we fail to consume only the things of God and not the things of the world.

#2: Read the Bible consistently

The Word of God is an essential tool for focusing on God. In the last section I talked about avoiding the things of the world, this section is about consuming the things of God. The Bible is God’s literal word, and if we learn to bend our ear to it, it will be easier to hear.

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and your mind wandered from the conversation? Do you know why this happened? It’s because you didn’t pay attention to her words! You took care of other things while they talked.

Well, a good way to focus on God is to keep reading His Word. When we do this, it is almost impossible for our minds to wander because His Word is always before us. (Related article: How to Start Reading the Bible).

So we must make it a habit to read the Bible constantly. Maybe instead of picking up your phone to scroll through Facebook, you’re picking up your phone to peruse the Bible App. Little things like this can make a big difference in our walk with God.

#3: Spend time with God in the secret place

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have closed your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6)

Spend time alone with God in secret prayer. This is where intimacy comes from. When you spend time with the Lord, when no one is looking and it’s just you and Him. Here his heart becomes your heart and his mind becomes your mind. It is where we come to know Him, and the result is becoming more like Him.

The father wants you for himself. Therefore we are saved. The apostle Paul said the gospel is the message of atonement (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Christ died on the cross to restore a relationship. Well, obviously he died because we sinned against a holy God, but that wasn’t why Jesus came to save us. Christ had to die because we sinned, but God’s purpose in Christ’s death was to restore us to what we were originally created to do. (Related article: What is the Gospel?).

God has invited us into a relationship with Him, and if we accept the invitation, we will fulfill why we were originally created. As you and I learn to spend time with God in secret prayer, we will become more like Him and the Spirit of God will give us the Spirit of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10-16).

#4: Keep praying in the spirit

The Bible tells us to pray in the Spirit at all times.

“Pray always in the spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Be on the watch, therefore, with all perseverance, and supplicate all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

To pray in the Spirit is to speak in tongues.

“Therefore let him that speaks in tongues pray that he may interpret. For when I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but my mind is barren. Then what is the conclusion? I will pray with the spirit and I will also pray with the mind. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the mind.” (1 Corinthians 14:13-15)

So we must constantly pray in tongues. Well, if you know your Bible, you know that it says that the mind is sterile when we speak in tongues. (1 Corinthians 14:14)

Which is absolutely correct. So how will this help us keep our thoughts with God? Easy. If I pray constantly in the Spirit, I will be constantly aware of the Spirit. I may not understand what I am saying to God (1 Corinthians 14:2), but I will understand that I and the Holy Spirit are working together in prayer.

Keep praying in tongues so you can edify yourself and be aware of God’s presence. (1 Corinthians 14:4)

#5: Thank God for everything

“And do not get drunk on wine in which there is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, giving thanks always to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-20 )

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

As you can see from these verses, we are always to give thanks for everything.

Constantly thanking God will make us appreciate everything He has done for us and will keep our hearts focused on who He is and that He is faithful.

The most common reason people complain is that they don’t have their thoughts on God, but more specifically, they are not in a position of gratitude.

Thanksgiving is the best way to end the whining in our lives and it’s a great way to keep our thoughts on God.

Just think of all the things he has done for us. He has forgiven us all our sins, He has given us eternal life, He has filled us with His Spirit, He has given us His Word, He has given us a new family. The list can be continued at will.

He’s done so much for us, so thanking him constantly should be an easy task. As we do this, not only will our minds be on the Lord, but we will become more positive and hopeful.

#6: Sing praise often

This ties in with the tip above, but is still helpful to mention.

The apostle Paul’s prayer life consisted of much singing. There are many verses that mention this.

“And do not get drunk on wine in which there is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19)

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

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the captives were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)

There are more verses but I think you get the point. Singing is a form of worship and thanksgiving. And as Ephesians 5 says, it’s a way of staying filled with the Spirit of God.

Singing to the Lord is a great way to maintain an attitude of worship throughout the day.

#7: Pray for people as often as you can

Another option is to stand up for people whenever you think of them.

“I thank my God in every memory of you, always in my every prayer as I ask with joy for you all.” (Philippians 1:3-4)

This would be a good habit to cultivate in our lives. Whenever you meet someone, pray for them. As you drive to work, start praying for the people in front of you and behind you. Pray for believers in the body of Christ whenever you think of them. Ask Father to help them grow in a relationship with Him and to open their eyes to the urgency of the gospel.

people need prayer. There is a world that dies and goes to hell. There are believers who do not live their lives following Jesus. We must make it a habit to pray for people whenever we think of them.

#8: Spend time with born again

The Bible says that “bad company spoils good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Who we spend time with is extremely important. Spend time with people who encourage and challenge you to follow God. Develop conversations with these people that are useful and centered around the Lord.

The more we spend time with people who love and long for the Lord, the more like them we become.

If you spend a lot of time with people who do not know God and have no desire to know God, their bad company will corrupt your good character.

Now it is important to note that I am not saying that you should never spend time with non-believers. That would be ridiculous. Rather, I am saying that the people who are close to you and with whom you spend most of your time should be believers who follow Jesus.

#9: Take short breaks to focus on God

I once heard a pastor say that he likes to take short 5 minute breaks just to become aware of God. I like it. I believe sometimes we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, that sometimes we forget God.

But when we learn to do what this pastor did and stop for a few moments, it becomes a lot easier to remember the Lord.

“But the tidings of Him (Jesus) went about all the more; and great crowds came together to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities by him. So he often withdrew himself into the desert and prayed. (Luke 5:15-16)

We see Jesus doing the same thing in this passage. He had great crowds that came to be healed by him, but he often withdrew to pray. Jesus protected his relationship with the Father from busyness, and so should we.

Number 10: Do everything to the Lord

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks to God the Father through him… And whatever you do, do it from the heart, as for the Lord and not for people” (Colossians 3:17 & 23).

The Apostle Paul tells us to do everything for the Lord and not for men. We can take this commandment and apply it to our lives in a way that brings us to an awareness of God.

For example, let’s say you’re washing dishes. Instead of just doing the mundane chores of washing dishes, begin the task by asking Father to help you do it for Him. Then, as you cleanse, talk to Him and worship Him. After you finish washing dishes, thank him for the help and for being with you.

I got this tip from a man named Brother Lawrence. He was a cook in the 17th century. He wrote a series of letters to believers to help them stay in constant fellowship with God. These letters were collected and placed in a book entitled Practicing the Presence of God.

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Do you want to start a real relationship with God? Would you like to follow him and live your life in his glory?

It is not easy to be an authentic follower of God. It is not enough to go to church every Sunday or to say a prayer before dinner or bedtime. Being a true Christian means showing Christlikeness in your daily life. It means obeying God in every area of ​​your life.

Living for God, however, is the most fulfilling commitment of all. It may not be easy as you can expect the world to throw more problems at you, but it’s worth it. However, life on earth is temporary and your real life begins when you enter eternal life where you can be with God forever.

So if you’re serious about building a relationship with God, here are some ways that can help you open your heart to Him.

1. Ask God to help you draw closer to Him.

It is not easy to build a relationship with God. Sinful human nature would pull you away from Him again and again. Therefore, you had better humble yourself before the Lord and ask Him to bring you closer to Him.

John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on Judgment Day.”

2. Consider why you couldn’t give God time in the past.

You should also take the time to evaluate yourself. Find out the reasons why you didn’t seek God before. Was it because of the busyness? peer pressure? Other priorities? Or did you just not think you needed Him? You must decide that you will no longer let that keep you from seeking the Lord.

3. Decide to repent and turn from sin.

Sin is the main reason people are separated from God. Choosing to live in sin means consciously disobeying and rebelling against God’s commandments. Because of this, you must choose to leave behind your habitual sins of fornication, lies, and dishonoring your parents. Yes, that’s easier said than done, but with God’s help it’s possible. You just have to start with determination.

4. Confess your sins to the Lord and ask Him to help you change.

Aside from deciding to turn away from your sins, it is also important to confess your sins and ask the Lord for forgiveness. He promised to forgive anyone who confesses and repents of their sins.

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

5. Decide to let go of all unforgiveness.

Knowing that God has forgiven your sins and is treating you with grace, choose to treat others the same way. Choose to forgive those who have offended you. Don’t let anger and resentment keep your heart impure. It will keep you from God.

6. Think about God’s grace and goodness.

Realizing how good and merciful God is to you will bring you closer to Him. No matter how many times you have failed, He still gives you chances to get back up and mend your life. That should be motivation enough to trust and love him.

7. Take time to admire his creations.

Another way to open your heart to God is to appreciate His creations. Just look around and marvel at the beauty of nature created by God. View the sky at dawn, the calm blue sea and even the flock of birds at dusk. Take time to sit in the shade of the tree, smell the fragrant flowers and cuddle an adorable puppy.

8. Hear testimonies from people who have experienced God’s miracles.

If you want to convince yourself that God is really alive and good, listen to the testimonies of people who have witnessed His miracles. True stories of the Lord’s faithfulness can be found on the Internet. Some Christian organizations publish articles or videos of interviews with believers who have been transformed by God, healed from illness, or have experienced divine intervention in their situation.

9. Ask a Christian friend to help you.

You can also ask a spiritually mature friend to pray for you and help you begin your walk with God. Then you can go with that person to their church service or small group meeting. Or you can arrange a regular Bible study together.

10. Visit a local Bible-believing church.

Attending a church will also help you be open to God. As you fellowship with other believers, their passion for following Christ can inspire you. You can also be encouraged as you hear their stories of how faithful God is in their lives and as you learn more about God through their activities.

11. Join a life group or Bible study group.

They must not content themselves with attending church services. Ask the local church if they have regular small group meetings that you can attend. Some churches call it a Bible study group while others call it a life group or some other name.

12. Start studying the Bible.

If you want your heart to be open to God, you need to know who He really is. That’s the only way you can fully trust him. Nothing can help you better understand God’s character, will, and promises than the Bible. Therefore, start reading and meditating on it.

13. Use a devotional book.

There are many good devotional books to read alongside the Bible. It can inspire you more to read God’s word and you can also learn many things from it. There are different types of devotional books to suit different users. Some are exclusive to dads, moms, teens, singles and married couples.

14. Start a regular prayer time.

Along with studying the Bible, it is also important to cultivate your prayer life. Prayer allows you to confess your sins, thank God for the blessings, articulate your requests and needs, and ask the Lord for guidance.

15. Pour yourself out on him like a friend.

When you pray, do it as if God is just sitting next to or in front of you. Avoid treating prayer as a ritual or spell. Instead, speak to God from the bottom of your heart and express your innermost feelings to Him. Talk to him the same way you would talk to your best friend.

16. Sing and listen to worship songs.

You can also sing songs of praise and worship to the Lord. Then, as you spend time with the Lord, sing to Him with sincerity. And instead of listening to sad songs that can leave you feeling melancholic afterwards, you can fill your playlist with Christian songs. As you listen, you will be inspired to keep trusting in God.

17. Listen to online sermons.

If Sunday sermons aren’t enough for you, you can also look for sermon videos on YouTube, social media, and other online platforms. Just be careful about which preachers you choose to listen to. Make sure their sermons are biblically accurate.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns us, “For the time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine. Instead, to accommodate their own desires, they will gather a large body of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myth.”

Believe in Christ as your Lord and Savior

You can walk all of the above paths, but still end up far from God. So make sure you have already put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior before you do any of this. You can only be saved through Him, and your salvation is a guarantee that you will be part of God’s family.

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