In our faith and practice, should we emphasize heart or mind? There’s an ongoing tug-of-war between believers who are more intellectual and those who are more emotional. Today’s reading (Psalms 86-89) shows that both the mind and the heart are important. The psalmist (Psalm 86:11) didn’t prioritize heart over mind or intellect over emotions. Both are part of our human nature and both are to be submitted to the worship of God.
When a scribe asked Him to identify the most important commandment of all, “Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31 English Standard Version).
Don’t be distracted by the false dichotomy of mind and emotions. Let truth impact your thinking and love guide your actions as you walk in God’s ways.
[For more reflections on this passage see the corresponding reading in my book Cover to Cover: Through the Bible in 365 days].
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