Think with my heart

My friend, Crystal, said the most brilliant thing at Jen's baby shower: "Think with your HEART".... it has stayed with me all week.  Yesterday I saw the application opportunity...

I have been THINKING and trying to FIGURE OUT what is going on here... the "why am I here?" "how long will I be here?" "what is the truth?" "what is this verse saying to me now?" "is this what God means by this?"  <--- just trying to figure it out with my inept little human brain.... thinking is FUTILE.

Furthermore:
Rom 8:6 "For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

Part of me thinks I'm taking that verse out of context. The context that I saw a month or so ago was different... it was about how we think on things. So: G5426 MIND (phroneo) = to exercise the mind, that is, entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intensively to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience): - set the affection on, (be) care (-ful), (be like-, + be of one, + be of the same, + let this) mind (-ed, regard, savour, think. 

Rom 8:5 "They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."

G2596 AFTER (kata) = A primary particle; (preposition) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case [genitive, dative or accusative] with which it is joined): - about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to, touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, [charita-] bly, concerning, + covered, [dai-] ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from . . . to, godly, in (-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), . . . by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-) on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through (-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-) to (-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where (-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution or intensity.

So if I am "about" (according to - even when I am alone) the SPIRIT (which I will to be) then I should think about and set my affection on the things of the Spirit. I wonder if I am, indeed, doing that now by trying to "figure things out"? I don't know... I think so.... but I wonder if I should be thinking with my heart instead of with my mind?

What does "think with your heart" mean?? Proverbs 4:4 says "Let thine heart retain m words: keep my commandments and live." And v.23 (a classic!) says "Keep they heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

H3820 HEART (leb) = A form of H3824; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything: -  + care for, comfortably, consent, X considered, courag [-eous], friend [-ly], ([broken-], [hard-], [merry-], [stiff-], [stout-], double) heart ([-ed]), X heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind (-ed), X regard ([-ed)], X themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly, wisdom.

H5341 KEEP (na tsar) = A primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.): - besieged, hidden thing, keep (-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve (-r), subtil, watcher (-man).

H8444 THE ISSUES= (only in plural collective) exit, that is, (geographical) boundary, or (figuratively) deliverance, (actively) source: - border (-s), going (-s) forth (out), issues, outgoings.

H2416 OF LIFE = alive; hence raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively: -  + age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life (-time), live (-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.

So I'm seeing that I need to protect and guard my feelings, emotions and will... keep a good handle (and understanding and reign) on them. Keep them in check...in control.... because the boundaries of my carnal life depend on this.

I would GUESS that that means that if I keep a tight reign on them and small boundaries for the flesh, that it would make it easier to find the gate to the garden. The larger the border (I'm thinking of a fence or a hedge now), the more I need to walk to find the gate to the WAY.

I don't know.

I went off on a tangent. Regardless... I need to NOT go in circles. Satan works through my flesh and God says to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5b  - my thoughts are out of control and by living in my brain... thinking and feeling and living through my thoughts... I am allowing Satan to steer the ship. I'm in a battle. I must stand firm in TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION, the WORD OF GOD (From Eph 6:14-17).

I need to just stand. Trust God. Stand righteously, guarding my thoughts, feelings and will. HE will direct my paths.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  Proverbs 3:5-6

I would venture to say that the most important part of that passage is "In all thy ways acknowledge him"... that's the same as "love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength" (Luke 10:27a).  <-- Nope!!... but that's good too... it's not what God intended here, but I can never go wrong by thinking on another scripture which is truth... just don't mistakenly apply it in an incorrect sense...that's how false doctrine begins.

So I just broke it down and it is saying that if I have confidence in the Lord with all my thoughts, feelings and will and don't try to support myself with my own [carnal] knowledge and in all my ways seek Him, then he will make the road that I am on... the way (presumably to the garden)...straight (pleasant).

Le'Anna pointed out this word a month or so ago and I really like it. It is the word behind "acknowledge" in Proverbs 3:6 "... in all thy ways acknowledge him..." 

H3045 (yada) = A primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively instruction, designation, punishment, etc.): - acknowledge, acquaintance (-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, [un-] awares, can [-not], certainly, for a certainty, comprehend, consider, X could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be [ig-] norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to, let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have [knowledge], (be, make, make to be, make self) known, + be learned, + lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, X prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have [understanding], X will be, wist, wit, wot.


Okay... I'm leaving... chores beckon! <3