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Renewing the Mind

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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

What does it mean to “renew the mind’?  The Word tells us that we are to have the mind of Christ. But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:16) Therefore once we accept Christ, God is renewing our mind to the mind of Christ. We will look at how the mind renews and how our thinking can renew the mind.

Dr. Caroline Leaf, in her book Switch on Your Brain, explained, “The scientific power of our mind to change the brain is called epigenetics and spiritually it is as a man thinks so is he (Prov. 23:7). The way the brain changes as a result of mental activity is scientifically called neuroplasticity, and spiritually, it is the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:2.)” 1

If we change our thinking, we change the wiring in our brain, thereby renewing our mind. The brain’s neural circuits rewire according to how we think. Consider the following analogy: Picture a path through the woods. The more we walk on the path, the wider the path gets, making it easier to walk. The more we think about something, the more neural connections are made, making it easier to access the thought. What happens when we stop walking on the wooded path? Weeds grow over, making it difficult for walking. When we stop thinking about the toxic thought, the associated neural connections in our brain, like the well-worn path, begin breaking down making it more difficult to access the toxic thought. Just as it takes time for the weeds to grow over the trail, it takes time for the brain’s neural circuits to breakdown. The longer we stop walking on the path, the more overgrown it becomes. We do this by replacing toxic thoughts with godly thoughts, thus creating new clear paths.

“Science and Scripture both show that we are wired for love and optimism,” said Dr. Leaf. “Toxic thinking will change your brain wiring in a negative direction and throw your mind and body into stress, which affects our body’s natural healing capacities. . . . Research shows that 75 to 98 percent of mental, physical, and behavioral illness comes from one’s thought life. . . Taking this to a deeper level, research shows that DNA actually changes shape according to our thoughts. . . . Studies have shown that thinking and feeling anger, fear, unforgiveness, and frustration caused DNA to change shape according to thoughts and feelings.”2

Since God is molded us to have the mind of Christ, and God is love, then we are being molded to have a mind filled with God’s unconditional love. “Recent brain research by Dr. Newburg at the University of Pennsylvania has documented that all forms of contemplative meditation were associated with positive brain changes – but the greatest improvements occurred when participants mediated on a God of love. Such mediation was associated with growth in the prefontal cortex (the part of the brain right behind the forehead where we reason, make judgments and experience Godlike love) and subsequent increased capacity for empathy, sympathy, compassion and altruism. But here’s the most astonishing part. Not only does other-centered love increase when we worship a God of love, but sharp thinking and memory improve as well. In other words, worshipping a God of love actually stimulates the brain to heal and grow.”

Today try to be aware of what you are thinking and make an effort to change any negative thoughts such as anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, fear, worry, or failure. Give those thoughts to God and seek to change your thoughts to victory and success. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: (Proverbs 23:7) Our thoughts can determine what we say, what we do, or how we feel. Give God your negative thoughts and ask for peace, confidence, and wisdom, has he guides through the day. Tell yourself today, I will walk in peace and joy, and the Lord will guide me to overcome anything difficulties with his wisdom. Strong victorious thoughts will lead you to strong victorious day.

Prayer: Lord, guide my thoughts today so my mind can rewire to the mind of Christ, by removing old toxic thoughts and replacing them with new Godly thoughts of love and hope. Let the Holy Spirit convict me to any negative thoughts. Think you Lord for giving me ability to renew my mind so I can live life to the fullest with the mind of Christ.  In Jesus name, Amen

Dr. Caroline Leaf, Switch on Your Brain (Ada, MI: Baker Books, 2013), 56

Dr. Caroline Leaf, Switch on Your Brain (Ada, MI: Baker Books, 2013), 33-35

Timothy Jennings, MD, The God Shaped Brain (InterVarsity Press, 2013), 27