Bind the Word of God to our Minds

An Orthodox Jewish man will wear a black leather box strapped to his forehead during morning prayers.  This box, called a Tefillin or phylacteries, contains scrolls of parchment with the word of God written on them.  This is their way of applying God's command in their lives to 'Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.' Deuteronomy 6:8

They do this as an outward sign, but there is also an inward, spiritual significance to this as well.  This binding is important in changing your life and your mind.  In fact, what it signifies is essential in every Christian's life.

What goes on inside your head is hidden.  No one (but God) knows what your mind is thinking.  Our thoughts are where sin begins.  We think about something we know is forbidden and, instead of switching off those thoughts and dwelling on something wholesome and pure, we dwell on that dark thought.  We cradle that sinful thought in our minds until it takes root and we act upon it.  We always seem to think of sex as the evil thoughts we always have in these type of situations, and while they are part of this, they are not the only evil that is found in our hearts and minds.

We envy the car someone has and think about how great it would be to have that car.  We enjoy the gossip we have heard and can't wait to tell others.  We feel angry at someone for what they did to us and we plot our revenge.  We plan how to get out of being caught for something we did by lies and deceit.

How can we change this pattern of thinking?  This little leather box is telling us that things do not have to be this way.  When God speaks of binding the word to your head, he is revealing that your thoughts can be holy and pure.  The secret to a life of holiness is to bind the Word of God to your mind, your thoughts, your thinking.  Your will can only change when the Word of God is bound to your life.

The word bind in Hebrew is 'kashar'.  Kashar means to knit together.  When we bind God's word to our thoughts, we do not just strap them to our heads, but we knit them together.  Our minds should be intertwined with scripture.  The scriptures are to be so united to our thoughts that it is impossible to separate the two.  When our minds are working, the scriptures are filtering out what is good and what is bad.

If your thoughts are following the words of God, your life will follow as well.  If you allow God to change your way of thinking, your life will change.  You will find joy, peace, patience and a life empty of guilt and shame.

Take your Bible, read it, study it and meditate on it. Let your mind soak up the words and heart of God.

Photo Credit: Meditacion en el Muro de los Lamentos, Jerusalen, Israel by Edgardo W. Olivera