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The concept suggests that knowing the right theological thing intellectually (head knowledge) is not enough—what truly matters is whether that truth has reached the heart (heart knowledge). The false assumption is that the heart operates independently from the mind, creating a line of division between what we believe in our heads and what we embrace in our hearts. While this sounds compelling on its face, it is an unhelpful and misleading way to think about how we process truth.
The problem with this phrase is that it implies two kinds of knowledge, as though biblical truth must take an added step to move from the head to the heart. But in reality, what we call head knowledge and heart knowledge are both matters of the same thing—our thoughts. They are not two separate categories of understanding something but rather different kinds of thinking—one aligned with God’s wisdom and the other entangled in unbiblical desires.
When someone says, “I have head knowledge, but I need heart knowledge,” they often mean that they understand what the Bible says but struggle to live according to that truth. They are describing a conflict between what they know is right and what they desire—idolize—in their hearts.
Consider a Christian who knows that worrying is a sin but still feels overwhelmed with anxiety. They might say, “I know in my head that God is sovereign, but my heart is still fearful.” But is their heart the issue? No, their thinking is the issue. They are caught between believing that God is in control and entertaining fearful thoughts that contradict that belief. The real problem is not an emotional one but a battle between two competing thought patterns—one biblical, one unbiblical.
Another example is Mable, who is angry with her husband, Biff. She knows that her anger is sinful and that God calls her to respond with patience and grace. She says, “I have head knowledge, but my heart is not quite there yet.” Again, this is not a heart problem—but a thinking problem. She knows what is right but is allowing unbiblical thoughts (idols) about Biff’s shortcomings to govern her emotions, which drive her ungodly actions toward him.
Some Christians might push back and say, “But heart knowledge is about emotions, not just thoughts.” This argument is where we must recognize the direct link between the two. Emotions are not separate from thoughts—they flow from them. What we think about determines how we respond practically and emotionally.
Imagine that someone deposits a million dollars into your bank account. How would you respond? You would likely feel joy and excitement, not because of some abstract emotional reaction but because you believe something good has happened. Now imagine that, moments later, someone points a gun at you, threatening to take your money. Your feelings would immediately shift from joy to terror, not because your heart independently decided to be afraid but because your mind registered the danger and triggered an emotional response. The formula is simple:
If your emotions are out of control, the solution is not to search for some elusive heart knowledge. The solution is to examine what you are thinking wrongly about and realign those wayward thoughts with Scripture.
James describes this battle in striking terms:
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:5-8).
A double-minded person knows the truth, but they still entertain unbiblical thoughts. Like our fictional Mable, they intellectually acknowledge God’s wisdom but hold onto desires, fears, or frustrations that contradict it. This posture leads to instability—an ongoing oscillation between trust and doubt, obedience and disobedience, joy and discouragement. As long as Mable lives in that double-minded space, she will never experience the shalom of the soul or the restoration of her marriage.
What is the solution? James makes it clear: we must fully submit our thoughts to God’s wisdom. If Mable wants to experience peace, she must stop feeding her anger with unbiblical thoughts about her husband. Instead of fixating on his shortcomings, she must meditate on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Only then will she find stability.
Paul also speaks to this issue in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, where he describes the Christian life as spiritual warfare:
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Notice that Paul does not say we should focus on taking our emotions captive. He says we must take our thoughts captive. The battle is fought and won at the level of our thinking. If we allow our minds to be ruled by lies, we will be ruled by emotions that reflect those lies. If we discipline our minds to focus on the truth, our emotions will follow the truth in our minds. This shift is not to say that change is easy. Mable, Biff, and all struggling Christians must actively work to align their thinking with God’s Word. This work requires continual prayer, meditation on what is true, and seeking counsel from wise believers. It also requires an intentional rejection of thoughts that do not conform to Christ’s truth.
The idea of head knowledge versus heart knowledge is a well-intentioned but misleading phrase. It falsely suggests that our hearts operate separately from our thoughts when, in reality, they are the same. The true battle is not between our heads and hearts but between biblically wise and unbiblically wise thinking. James calls this battle of the soul double-mindedness. Paul calls it a war between good and evil for our thoughts. Whatever terminology we use, the principle remains: to grow in godliness, we must bring every thought under the authority of Christ. As you work through this book, you will learn more about the nature of the Christian mind, how wrong thinking leads to emotional instability, and how to take practical steps to renew your mind. This problem is not a quick fix. It is a lifelong process of taking every thought captive and replacing falsehood with truth.
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 (Philippians 4:8).
Your next move is intentional action. If you continue allowing unbiblical thoughts to run unchecked, you will remain double-minded, unstable, and easily swayed by desires that conflict with God’s truth. But if you take your thoughts captive and submit them to Christ, you will grow in clarity, stability, and obedience. Here are a few steps to help you move from double-mindedness to a biblically renewed mind:
The war for your mind is real. If you do nothing, you will remain unstable, caught between what you know to be true and what you want at the moment. But if you actively take intentional and practical steps to renew your thoughts, you will experience the peace and clarity that come from a single-minded devotion to Christ.
So, what will you do today to bring your thinking into submission to God’s Word?
Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
