Romans 12:1-2
When the Apostle Paul wrote Romans 12:2, he did not know about brain chemistry or have insights from today’s brain research. But he was inspired by the Holy Spirit, who knows human brains better than scientists or psychiatrists ever will. That is why Paul’s words are confirmed through modern insights. The verse reads, “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.”
Ever since those words were penned, believers have experienced transformation through mind renewal. A process of forsaking past patterns, false beliefs, and unhealthy alignment with the world’s patterns of sin, and replacing those harmful ways with new patterns, belief in Jesus’ saving love, and alignment with God’s way of truth and forgiveness.
Only recently have brain studies revealed that believing the right things about God and his love can help heal and physically rewire the brain’s composition. Timothy R. Jennings, M.D., writes in his book, The God Shaped Brain: How Changing Your View of God Transforms Your Life,
“When God’s methods for increasing brain health (Rom. 12:2) and nurturing mental stability are applied, the brain circuits of the prefrontal cortex actually grow stronger and, despite previous damage, healing ensues. Healthy connections grow and develop. If you are someone who has suffered abuse during childhood, or if you’ve struggled with an overly active limbic system resulting in too much aggression, irritability, impatience, anger, lust, selfishness, fear or insecurity, don’t be discouraged. God’s methods bring healing. And what are God’s methods? Truth, love and freedom. In order to be beneficial, treatment must be applied; truth is only beneficial when it is understood, believed and applied” (p. 56).
Growth in Christ, renewal, doesn’t come from trying harder; it comes from believing better. A believer’s brain will create strong pathways or neural networks based on God’s truth, and old or inactive pathways will be destroyed and replaced. So, let’s not be conformed to this world. Let’s be transformed by the renewal and rewiring of our minds.
John Riley
Junior High Pastor