Introduction
   Did you know we desire with our heart, but we reason with our mind? And with our mind, we exercise strength. I realized this some time ago when I was using a hacksaw to cut a pole to size for a closet. It was a chrome pole and it was hollow, but still took my brain (my mind) to think about and exercise the strength in my body to cut through it. Thankfully, I had the heart to see it through. It had not been as easy as I initially thought.
   Scripture points out that in humans, there is a difference between the heart and the mind though both can be directed toward and in tune with Yahweh’s Spirit. Being directed by Yahweh’s Spirit, by the way, is being directed by His mind. And we know that for our benefit it was His Spirit and mind that inspired His written Word.
   With the above image, we get a sense of the Levitical High Priest’s dedication of heart and mind toward Yahweh. In this devotion, he is keeping Yahweh’s commandment: You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might, Deuteronomy 6:5 New American Standard Bible used throughout, unless otherwise noted.
   Does Yahweh want us to keep this commandment, as well? There’s no question about it. Loving Yahweh with all of your heart, soul, might (KJV “strength”) moves and directs your strength. For example, Samson received strength by the Spirit but he still had to decide how he would use that strength.
   In loving someone, you set your heart and soul toward that person. Your mind thinks about, and decides how to benefit the other through the proper use of your strength. Apply this devotion to obeying Yahweh’s commandments and you fulfill His law of love, toward Him and toward your fellow man.

Superficial Worshippers
   Superficial worshipers of the Creator use proof texts which focus on mind and heart, and love and faith, in an attempt to prove that we do not have to obey all the commandments, just those which are convenient. For example, most are OK with not murdering and not stealing. But use the Father’s actual Name or keep the 7th Day holy? Oh, no. “The 3rd and 4th Commandments were only for ancient Israel,” they’ll say! “So, we’ll keep eight of the Commandments, or maybe six, if it’s convenient.” This pick and choose apostasy is the way of the world.
   Among King David’s last instructions to his son, Solomon, he said, As for you, my son Solomon, know the Elohim of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever, 1 Chronicles 28:9.
   “A whole heart and a willing mind?” Yes, if toward loving and serving Yahweh there be first a willing mind and a readiness to will, then there should follow a performance of what is determined (2 Cor. 8:11–12). Yahweh expects us to turn to Him in obedience, with both our heart and mind.

Let Us Reason Together
   “Come now, and let us reason together,” says Yahweh, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land,” Isaiah 1:18.
   Throughout all of Scripture, obedience is a requirement – of Israel, both of the native-born and the stranger that dwells among them (Exod. 12:49). The Apostle Paul consented to the Law, that It was good (Rom. 7:16) and the Apostle John further affirmed that His Commandments are neither grievous nor burdensome (1 John 5:3)
   Moreover, And we are witnesses of these things; and [so is] the Holy Spirit, whom Yahweh has given to those who obey Him, Acts 5:32.
   So, with the mind we serve the law of Yahweh (Rom. 7:25) and from the heart, we obey that form of teaching delivered us (Rom. 6:17).

Yahweh’s Will: A Renewed Mind
   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 Yahweh is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect, Romans 12:2.
   In the context of its usage in Romans 12:2, the renewing or awakening of our mind positions us with Yahweh in focus. The word “renewing” (G.342, anakainoo, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance) means to renovate or to renew.
   The renewing of the mind reflects Yahweh’s very Word, His Son Whom we receive through the Spirit of Yahweh Which, by the way, won’t be out of line with His written Word since His Word is inspired by both His Spirit and His mind.
   The Psalmist wrote, “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day …For Your testimonies are my meditation” (Psa. 119:97, 99b). A renewed mind will think upon whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue and of praise (Phil. 4:8). This describes what a blessed man, what an obedient man will mediate and think upon.
   Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober [in spirit], fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Yahshua Messiah. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts [which were yours] in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all [your] behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY,” 1 Peter 1:13–16.
   Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth, Colossians 3:2.

Foundational Commandments
   The 10 Commandments fundamentally represent the Law of Yahweh.
   The first five can be thought commanding service to Yahweh – the fifth, an allusion to Yahweh as Father and heavenly Jerusalem our Mother – and the last five ordering our conduct toward our fellow man.
   Yahshua briefly encapsulated these Command-ments, when asked the question, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” with His reply, “YOU SHALL LOVE YAHWEH YOUR ELOHIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” On these two commandments depend [hang, KJV, like the hinges on a door attached to the house] the whole Law and the Prophets, Matthew 22:37–40.
   Yahshua in this passage is citing Deuteronomy 6:5. In the Evangel parallel narratives, these words (Heart, Soul, Might) of the text of the Torah are rendered in Matthew 22:37 (Heart, Soul, Mind); in Mark 12:30 (Heart, Soul, Mind, Strength); and in Luke 10:27 (Heart, Soul, Strength, Mind).
   Note well, verse 40: On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets. This is to say, there are other aspects of the Law (e.g., the Food Laws, or the Law establishing the seven annual Sabbaths as a perpetual ordinance), while not specifically addressed by the Ten Commandments are no less valid than They.
   Noteworthy also is James 2:10, which says, For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one [point] he has become guilty of all.
   The mind leads the heart. The writer of Hebrews 8:10, citing the Prophet Jeremiah, says, “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS,” SAYS YAHWEH: “I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM UPON THEIR HEARTS.”
   Therefore, if one’s mind is singularly-focused, the heart can follow after. That’s the message to the people of the world today: Repent of the things that distract, and draw away, and turn to obedience. Obedience to the Commandments of Yahweh. In doing so, He will establish, strengthen, and settle them in Present Truth (2 Pet. 1:12).

Drawing Near to Yahweh
   “They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know Yahweh’, for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares Yahweh, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more,” Jeremiah 31:34.
   Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances, Ezekiel 36:26–27.
   From the beginning, Yahweh has wanted a people who would obey from the heart. And while these prophecies are not yet completely fulfilled, since the coming of the Spirit (Acts 2:1–4), men have taken hold of the Eliyah message of repentance. These things were introduced by the prophets; amplified by John the Immerser, saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, Matthew 3:2; spoken by the Messiah Himself and then by His disciples whom He commissioned with the message. Read our mini-study called, This is The EliYah Message.
   But today, many being double-minded do not want to hear the message to cleanse their hands, purify their hearts, draw near to Yahweh that He would draw near to them (James 4:8). If only they had the heart of ancient Israel, and would come before Him as they, with fear and trembling, saying,
   “Go near and hear all that Yahweh our Elohim says; then speak to us all that Yahweh our Elohim speaks to you, and we will hear and do [it].” Yahweh heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and Yahweh said to me, “I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!” Deuteronomy 5:27–29.

Don’t Continue in Sin!
   You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him, 1 John 3:5-6.
   What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:1–2.
   Sin is deadly. Willful, defiant sin is breaking covenant and relationship with the Father and the Son.
   This day Yahweh your Elohim commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul, Deuteronomy 26:16. “Soul” is rendered “being” in other places, and its importance underscores the need to bring into captivity every thought, and every word of tongue and deed of body into obedience to the commandment of the Messiah (2 Cor. 10:4). For Yahweh expects His people to be a morally good and obedient people. And today, because a Pledge of the Spirit is given to His people (Eph. 1:14) we are given help to succeed where most of ancient Israel failed. Remember why the Spirit is given in the first place (Jer. 31:31; Ezek. 36:26-27).

Be Blessed
   How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of Yahweh, and in His law he meditates day and night, Psalm 1:1–2.
   It’s a great way to wash and renew our minds.
   Some thoughts on what we’ve seen so far:
      1. The mind reasons with thoughts and ideas.
      2. The heart can move us and is a motivator within, but our mind makes conscious decisions to act and do Yahweh’s will with strength.
      3. Yahweh gives us His Spirit which works in combination with His heart and mind.
      4. Today we are given an opportunity to succeed where Israel had failed.
   Yes, we are to live by the Spirit in heart and mind. And, yes, we are to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh (Deut. 8:3), spoken again by Yahshua to the adversary who sought to tempt Him upon ending His 40-day fast in the wildnerness.
   Let’s not disappoint Yahweh nor quench His Spirit by being disobedient to Him. Let us focus our hearts and minds (and our whole being) in serving Him and others the way He desires with strength, fear and trembling, according to His law(s). In doing so we will be blessed.
   For to us Elohim revealed [them] through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of Elohim. For who among men knows the [thoughts] of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the [thoughts] of Elohim no one knows except the Spirit of Elohim. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from Elohim, so that we may know the things freely given to us by Elohim, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual [thoughts] with spiritual [words], 1 Cor. 2:10–13.

The Law Written on our Hearts
   What does the law, written on the heart, look like? It will show as strength and the resolve of an individual accomplishing Yahweh’s instructions.
   Yet, Yahweh knows man’s heart. For the heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? “I, Yahweh, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds,” Jeremiah 17:9–10.
   The deeds are outcome of the heart’s action following the mind’s resolve. But what happens when one has the Spirit of Yahweh? Doesn’t the heart’s action and the mind’s resolve change?
   Yes, but a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of Elohim, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF YAHWEH, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Messiah, 1 Cor. 2:14–16.
   So, we needn’t wonder why many people don’t understand us when we explain Spiritual Truth, or why they will reason away the law of Yahweh, often using Paul’s writings to do so, which the untaught and unstable do to their own destruction (2 Pet. 2:16–17).

Correct Spirit and Attitude
   The word spirit, in Scripture, can also be likened to one’s attitude. What attitude do we have toward Yahweh and His Word? We trust it is good, renewed to know and accept His good, acceptable and perfect will (Rom. 12:1–2).
   Known unto Elohim are all His works from the beginning of the world, Acts 15:18. We are given the written Word as well as the Spirit to equip us for good works in which Yahweh has before ordained that we should walk (Eph. 2:10). Therefore, the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. [We are] destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of Elohim, and [we are] taking every thought captive to the obedience of Messiah, 2 Corinthians 10:4–5.

Conclusion
   Messiah, as we know, didn’t do His own will, but only the will of Yahweh (John 6:38) and spoke and taught His Word (John 15:10). We, through permitting the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) its expression (fruit) from working with our mind and heart, accomplishes the will of Yahweh. And we are confident His good work in us, He will perform until the appearing of Messiah Yahshua (Phil. 1:6).
   We are admonished in His Word, My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep My commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of Elohim and man. Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and turn away from evil. Pro. 3:1–7.
   In doing so, we will truly live. Yahweh is our strength, and as we draw close to Him, through Yahshua, we will become one with both the Father and the Son. This, even as Yahshua in Gethsemane on the eve of His passion, prayed, saying,
   That they may all be one; even as You, Father, [are] in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me, John 17:21–23.
   May Yahweh be magnified through the hearts, minds, strength and deeds of His people in Messiah Yahshua. HalleluYah!