The Greek noun ennoia refers to a thought, conception, intention, or inner understanding — the content of the mind as it relates to moral purpose or spiritual perception. It appears in Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Peter 4:1.
Ennoia appears in two powerful contexts about the inner life. Hebrews 4:12 declares that the word of God judges 'the thoughts (enthumesis) and attitudes (ennoia) of the heart' — penetrating to the very intentions of our inner being. 1 Peter 4:1 uses ennoia as the foundation of suffering well: 'arm yourselves with the same attitude (ennoia) of mind as Christ' — the intention to be done with sin, the resolute orientation of thought toward God. Ennoia is thus both diagnostic (revealing what is in the heart) and prescriptive (the attitude we must cultivate). The mind of Christ — His ennoia — is the model and the goal of sanctification. As we are transformed by the renewing of our mind, our ennoia increasingly reflects His.