I was thinking today about how God’s Word impacts our minds and our thinking. Before we became Christians (and sometimes afterwards) our minds were filled with thoughts of the world. Take a minute to think about this. What is carnal thinking? Negative thoughts? Discouraging thoughts? Selfish thoughts? Impure thoughts? Out of control thoughts? All of the above and more.
I came across this powerful verse the other day. ”He sent forth his word and healed them.” (Psalm 107:20 NIV).
As a Christian, our thought process is so critically important. Our thoughts lead to our actions. ”For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV). Here’s what’s important to know – “God’s word doesn’t just help us to change – it heals us!”
I was reading the blog of a pastor in D.C. that I respect. I thought I would pass along one of his observations.
“A few years ago, researchers from the National Institutes of Mental Health did a study that involved a simple motor task. As subjects performed a finger-tapping exercise, researchers did MRI brain scansto identity which part of the brain was involved in the exercise. The subjects were then asked to perform that simple motor task everyday for four weeks. At the end of four weeks, researchers repeated their brain scans and found that in every instance, that area of the brain had expanded. Their brains had literally recruited new nerve cellsand rerouted neuronal connections.
Juxtapose that with Romans 12.
“Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but betransformed by the renewing of the mind.”
How is our mind renewed? The one word answer is Scripture. Scripture literally re-scripts our brain. As we read Scripture, much like the finger-tapping exercise, we are recruiting new nerve cells and rewiring neuronal connections. The end goal? Not knowledge! The end goal is the mind of Christ. As you read Scripture you are downloading the mind of Christ. His words become our operating system.” - Pastor Mark Batterson
I’m just thinking, it’s a new year and a great opportunity to begin filling our minds with the Word of God. This takes discipline and it takes practice, but with God’s help we can do it!
