
Did you know that our brains have the ability to create new pathways in our thought patterns? Science is catching up with what God designed our brains to naturally do when we encounter His truth. Our thoughts shape our memories and mindsets. The way we think creates patterns in our brains. I was reading in a book called, The Power of Communion by Beni Johnson, that these pathways can be compared to a hiking trail that becomes worn down and widened overtime. In other words what we think we become.
Why is this important? We all bring different mindsets and experiences to the table and sometimes our thought patterns can be very unhealthy. We get stuck and feel defeated. That’s why knowing God’s words are so important. They not only show us who Jesus is and teach us how to live, but they have the power to change our neuro-pathways this changes how we see the world-this is healing.
The good news is that our brains can change, which means so can we. With the Holy Spirit empowering us our minds change with the living and active word of God. He designed His words to change the way we view the world and eventually His words become who we are. Hebrews 4:12 ESV says, “ For the word of God is living and active, sharper that any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” His words are alive and active-let that sink in.
We all come to Christ in faith and our minds must be renewed. Colossians 3:2-3 says, “ Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” God designed His words to literally change the pathways in our brains. I like to say we re-wall paper our minds with His truth. 1 Corinthians 2:16, “Who can know the Lord ’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach Him? But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” He has given us His mind. We have no reason to stay in old mindsets.
I remember allowing myself to be defined by fear for most of my life. Once I decided to deal with that based on the word of God-everything changed. I began to take scriptures that spoke the opposite of fear and prayed them over myself. I declared them. I took the thoughts captive that would come against me and remind myself what the word said instead. Over time my mindset changed! I re-wall papered my thoughts with the word of God. This same freedom is available to you as well. As we get the word of God inside of us our mindsets change and we begin to see the world through the lens of God-not our clouded lenses.
Remember our thoughts have power but God’s word is more powerful. We need to first become aware of our thoughts. We need to see where our thoughts have become toxic. We need to hold those thoughts up to the word of God. Guarding our minds and being aware of our thoughts is huge. We need to watch what we allow to come in our minds. Then take those unhealthy thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ when they come at us.
Scriptures about our mindsets:
Isaiah 26:3
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 43:18
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.”
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 17:22
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Matthew 6:25
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
Matthew 22:37
“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Mark 12:30
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
Romans 7:23
“But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”
Romans 7:25
“Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”
Romans 8:6
“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
1 Corinthians 2:11
“For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
2 Corinthians 10:5
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Ephesians 4:23
“And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.”
Philippians 2:5
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:8-9
“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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
James 1:8
“He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
In Him,
Heather Bradley
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