Bible Verses About Thinking – Christianity FAQ

Philippians 4:8

ESV	Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
KJV	Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
NASB	Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
NIV	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.
NLT	And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Romans 12:2

ESV	Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
KJV	And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
NASB	And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
NIV	Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
NLT	Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Colossians 3:2

ESV	Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
KJV	Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
NASB	Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
NIV	Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
NLT	Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

“The Bible indicates that our thought lives ultimately determine our character. Solomon said, ‘For as he thinks within himself, so he is’ (Pro. 23:7).” ~ Jerry Bridges

2 Corinthians 10:5

ESV	We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
KJV	Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
NASB	We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
NIV	We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
NLT	We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

“Most human beings evidently do not like to think. At the very least, most seem quite satisfied never to think in a concerted, critical, and careful way. [They] never think strategically, consistently, or critically. They go from thought to thought without reflection, analysis, or questioning their own decisions. They operate at the basic level of thinking, and they think about the things that interest them, but they are not seriously interested in the process and quality of thought.” ~ Albert Mohler

1 Corinthians 3:18

ESV	Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
KJV	Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
NASB	Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
NIV	Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.
NLT	Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.

Proverbs 4:23

ESV	Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
KJV	Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
NASB	Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
NIV	Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
NLT	Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

2 Timothy 2:7

ESV	Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
KJV	Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
NASB	Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
NIV	Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
NLT	Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

Proverbs 15:28

ESV	The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
KJV	The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
NASB	The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
NIV	The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
NLT	The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.

Jeremiah 29:11

ESV	For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
KJV	For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
NASB	‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
NIV	For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
NLT	For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Philippians 4:6

ESV	Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
KJV	Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
NASB	Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
NIV	Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
NLT	Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Proverbs 17:22

ESV	A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
KJV	A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
NASB	A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
NIV	A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
NLT	A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.