None of us are born knowing how to be men and women of character. We don't intrinsically know how to stand for truth or to have courage in the face of difficulties. These things are learned. They are formed through trials, through mentorship, and through time spent getting to know the heart of God. That is why it’s so important to take time to form multi-generational relationships with those around us. As young people, we need older and wiser believers to speak into our lives. As we age, we need to invest in the younger generations within our circles of influence.  

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We see David doing this in the verses above as he speaks over his son, Solomon, reminding him to follow God, have courage, and be a man. This isn’t a one-time thing, though. Earlier on, when Solomon first became king, David instructed him with these words: “Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him” (1 Chron. 28:9).  

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This verse touches on two key areas by which a person is formed – the heart and the mind. It should come as no surprise, then, that these two things are often distorted by worldly voices.  

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The world advises us to “follow the heart” as though it’s a valuable source of truth. That advice is a lie that distracts from real Truth. The world says, “Let your heart be your guide.” The Bible says, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,” and encourages believers to “guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Jer. 17:9, Prov. 4:23). To worship and serve God with our whole heart, we must actively guard it.  

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The second thing David mentions is the mind. According to Mental Health America, 1 in 4 US adults have reported mental health issues at some point in their lives. As a man who had faced mental battles himself, just as we all do, David knew it was important to teach Solomon to worship and serve God with a willing mind – a mind ready and eager to respond.  

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There are more than 60 verses in the Bible that talk about the mind. This tells me God cares about our mental health. In recent years, the field of neuroplasticity has done extensive research involving the brain’s capacity to form new neural pathways, proving its ability to rewire itself. This supports the Biblical mandate to renew our minds (Rom. 12:2). The mind is a battlefield that requires us to wage war and “take every thought captive,” purposefully fixing our thoughts on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable (2 Cor. 10:5, Phil. 4:8).  

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When I was working through my own mental health, the most valuable source of wisdom I received came in the form of applying those two verses. The world told me to persist in an endless cycle of circular reasoning, giving credence to every thought and feeling in me. The Bible taught me to put on the full armor of God and choose to be a warrior, purposely battling lies and planting Truth in their wake (Eph. 6:10-18).  

Taking your thoughts captive and guarding your heart are counter-cultural directives requiring action over passivity. We must own the choice to do the hard work in these areas. We must also recognize the importance of accountability in cultivating strong hearts and minds that honor God and reflect His character.  

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Strength is not born. It is formed and practiced. The same is true for people. A man of character, strength, and godly wisdom isn’t born ready to follow after God. He must be molded, shaped, and formed. This implies both an individual and a communal responsibility. Titus 2:2-8 provides a picture of this mentorship relationship within the church, if you’re interested in reading more.

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As we move forward this week, I want to encourage you to sit with this question: What voices are you listening to? The answer to this provides a starting point for the action you can take next.  

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Maybe you need to work on your mind and can begin a topical study through verses dealing with the thoughts and mind. Maybe you need to do some heart work, rooting out beliefs that need to be restored to godly wisdom and truth. Maybe you need to look at Ephesians 6:10-18 and begin actively putting on the full armor of God. Maybe you need to find a mentor – an older believer willing to disciple you with integrity and wisdom that they’ve gained in their walk with God…or a mentee in whom to invest lessons God has taught you through the years.  

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Whatever God is asking you to do in this moment, be willing to listen and respond. In the words of David to Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (1 Chron. 28:20, emphasis added).