In order to take your thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), you must first recognize or be mindful that you are experiencing thoughts that are counter to what Christ says of you. 

The ability to recognize what you are thinking requires mindfulness. 

Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines mindfulness as “bearing in mind: aware.” 

In the field of Psychology mindfulness is the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of awareness of one’s thoughts, emotions, or experiences. 

Neither of these definitions fully embrace the Biblical meaning of the Hebrew or Greek word for mindful. 

Psalm 8:4 says, 

What is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

Here the Hebrew meaning of the word mindful means “to mark as to be recognized, ie. To remember. 

When this verse is quoted in Hebrew 2:6, the Greek word used means “to remind, to recall to mind, to be mindful, remember.” 

For our purposes I offer the Deborah Gall definition of mindfulness, 

Mindfulness is the act of recognizing and shaping thoughts, words, and actions in order to live purposefully as who God created you to be. 

It is more than remembering’

It is more than recognizing.

It is more than being “present.”

It is all of those things with the intentionality of moving beyond the present to further your God-given identity and purpose 

In context of this week’s discussion about thoughts, practicing mindfulness— the act of recognizing your thoughts and words—is the first and critical step you need to take in order to then practice aligning your thoughts with who God says you are. 

Tomorrow I will share eight daily practices you can implement to strengthen your mindfulness muscle. Until then, I pray that the Lord open your eyes to see and your ears to hear as you ask Him to show you where you are one the scale of awareness of your thoughts, words, and actions. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you.