Fifteen hundred years after Noah's great flood, King Solomon was receiving some advice from his father, King David, who said this, ” … for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts” 1 Chronicles 28:9. In other words, “Be aware of what's in your head, son. God sees it.”
Paul says we do: “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Do you hear some battlefield jargon in that passage —”take captive every thought,” “make it obedient to Christ”?
“Change your mind” is the central theme of Jesus' first sermon (Matt. 4:17). Jesus challenged people to change their thinking because regardless how many times you read through the Bible, if your mind doesn't change, you will simply impose your biases and labels on the words you read.
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
I Corinthians 8:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV)
And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
Proverbs 28:26 In-Context
26 If you think you know it all, you're a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others.
"The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing" This classic quote by socrates means that only person who thinks that he knows nothing will try to achieve knowledge from anyone and everyone he comes across in life then that person might be a king or a begger.
Psalm 139:1-6 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.
Basis of the book
The title is influenced by a verse in the Bible from the Book of Proverbs, chapter 23, verse 7: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he".
27 He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. 28 That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. 29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning.
God takes away old ways of thinking and desiring and gives us new ones. God puts to death the old thinking, old desires, and old will and gives us a new heart and a new spirit. He does not ask for permission to do this – it is a miraculous and supernatural intervention.
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God cares for us
“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
He also speaks to us through the glory of His creation. Additionally, He speaks to us through His Holy Spirit and through dreams, visions and our thoughts. Further, God will use events and circumstances to speak with us. More often than not, God uses the people He has placed in our lives to speak to us.
The simple answer is yes, God hears your prayers. An ever-present, all-knowing God will hear every word from your mouth, thought in your mind and whisper of your heart. But there are some things that might affect whether He answers. Now, let us get one thing straight before we go on… God loves you.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Matthew 18:15-20 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995) “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Quick Reference. Overwhelming feeling will express itself in speech; originally with biblical allusion to Matthew 12:34, 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. ' The saying is recorded from the late 14th century.
Through the scriptures, we are taught that God will always hear our prayers and will answer them if we address Him with faith and real intent. In our hearts we will feel the confirmation that He does hear us, a feeling of peace and calm.
Christ even suggests that God sees into your heart and knows your intentions. Love God and love neighbor as you love yourself. This is so simple and so incredible that if you're not careful, you'll miss it altogether.
Some people think that they know everything. However, even Socrates, one of history's greatest philosophers, doubted his omniscience and famously stated “all I know is that I know nothing”. Socrates is one of the most famous and influential philosophers in history.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” ― Socrates.
“A wise person would not answer with empty words or fill his stomach with the hot east wind.