Webster defines the word mind as that which thinks, perceives, feels, wills, etc. The mind directs all of life's affairs. "Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life." (Proverbs 4:23) The Bible refers to a great number of different kinds of people who had a great number of different kinds of minds. Some were good and others were bad. Once, after Jesus cast a demon out of a man, he (the man) was said to be "in his right mind." (Mark 5:15) All of this makes for some interesting consideration. Let us contemplate some of the various minds possessed by people in the Scriptures.

Closed minds. Not open to hearing anything other than what they already believe.

• "They stopped their ears and ran upon him (Stephen) with one accord." (Acts 7:57)
  
  
• "Their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed." (Matthew 13:15)
  
  

Broad minds. Accepting of anything that comes along, regardless how foolish it is.

• "The Athenians spent their time either to tell, or to hear some new thing." (Acts 17:21)
  
  
• "... Be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." (Ephesians 4:14)
  
  

Double minds. No real conviction regarding truth; ... hypocrites.

• "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8)
  
  
• "Purify your hearts, ye double-minded." (James 4:8)
  
  

High minds. Proud and haughty. Those who look down on others.

• "Charge the rich not to be high-minded." (1 Timothy 6:17)
  
  
• "Traitors, heady, high-minded." (2 Timothy 3:4)
  
  
• "Be not high-minded, but fear." (Romans 11:20)
  
  

Carnal minds. Directed by fleshly desires.

• "To be carnally minded is death." (Romans 8:6)
  
  
• "The carnal mind is enmity against God..." (Romans 8:7)
  
  

Reprobate minds. Totally uncontrolled by God.

• "They refuse to retain God in their knowledge." (Romans 1:28)
  
  

Open minds. (ASV).

• "Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth." (1 Samuel 3:9-10)
  
  
• "They gladly received the word." (Acts 2:41)
  
  
• "Those in Berea... searched the Scriptures daily..." (Acts 17:11)
  
  

Sober minds. Serious about all things, especially the spiritual.

• "The young men exhort to be sober-minded." (Titus 2:6)
  
  
• "... gird up the loins of your mind, be sober..." (1 Peter 1:13)
  
  

Fair minds. Not partial. Willing to accept the truth.

• "Some said '... we will hear thee again of this matter.'" (Acts 17:32) Gamaliel warned the Jews to refrain from condemning the apostles for their teaching, lest they be found to be fighting against God (Acts 5:34-39).
  
  

Sound minds. Healthy, not affected by man-made philosophy.

• "God has given us... the spirit of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
  
  

Mind of Christ. The most important of all.

• "We have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)
  
  
• "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:5)
  
  

Does your mind dwell on "things above" (Colossians 3:2)? Do you need to have your mind examined? Paul advised the Corinthians, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves... how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates." (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Get your mind right with God!