My teaching is about our powerful thoughts. Please turn to Philippians 4. Our lives are always moving in the direction of our thoughts. What we think shapes what we do, who we are, and how we live and experience life. Our lives follow the direction of our thoughts. The more we can understand how powerful our minds and thoughts are, the more abundant we can live. That’s really powerful. If I want more abundance, I should consider what I’m thinking about. In this article, we'll learn bible verses to help change your mind.
The Bible and modern science provide evidence that this is true. First, let’s go to the Word and then to science. Turn to Philippians 4:8–9 KJV, the apostle Paul writes, “8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
Paul writes about our thoughts (think about these things), our actions (do, practice this, do this), and our experiences in our lives (the God of peace will be with you). Paul tells us that our thoughts shape our lives.
Now, let’s go to modern science. Turn to Proverbs 23. I read a recently published article by the Colorado State University and the Center for Healthy Aging. It talked about “neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural pathways throughout life and in response to life experiences. While the brain usually does this reorganization or rewiring itself in response to injury or disease, when humans focus their attention enough, they can slowly rewire these pathways themselves. If a person can focus enough attention, they can restructure their brain by establishing new neural pathways. The goal is to become aware of thoughts (being mindful) and react to those thoughts. The redirection of thoughts and actions will start to change neural pathways as habits begin to be replaced and new parts of the brain are used. The brain literally starts to rewire itself with a simple change of mindset.”
So apparently, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
I don’t know about you, but when the Bible and modern science say the same thing, that’s pretty cool. Today, science shows us what God told us through Solomon thousands of years ago in Proverbs 23:7 KJV: "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
So if both the Bible and modern science teach us that our lives are moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts, then we could ask ourselves, “Do I like the direction my thoughts are taking me?” If my answer is no, maybe it’s time I change my thinking. Maybe it’s time I decide to change my mind so God can change my life.
Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
One way to renew our minds is to replace what’s false with what’s true. Replace bad with good. Replace doubting thoughts with confident thoughts, etc. Here are some examples:
Replace thoughts of anxiety with Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.”
My family and I are wondering about our housing situation. We think about where we are currently living, and where we are going to live next. We can replace thoughts of being unsure of what to do next with Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” He shall direct thy paths.
Sometimes there are situations that seem too big to handle. Like recently, we considered how challenging and almost impossible it seems to get accepted into NC State after moving to Raleigh just several months ago. We can replace thoughts of not being sure that we can accomplish something that seems impossible with Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
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Turn to Matthew 4. A while back, I made a decision to stop being immediately notified when someone from work messages me directly. I didn’t feel like I needed to check every message all the time anymore. So I changed that behavior of constantly checking my messages. Maybe there are other behaviors that we want to change, like:
This year I’m going to eat healthy and exercise every day.
I’m going to date only people who are the best for me.
I’m getting off social media because I’m tired of wasting my time.
I’m going to read the Bible every morning this whole year.
But changing our behavior without changing our minds usually doesn’t work. We have to get our minds straight. We have to get our thoughts right. We have to set our minds in alignment and harmony with what the Word says. Then, a change in behavior can take place. I had to decide that checking messages wasn’t the best for me. I had to change my thinking. The root of a problem just might be the thought that creates the problem in the first place.
The neural pathways that map out our thoughts can direct our behavior and experiences in life. So, how can we build new neural pathways when we need to think and behave differently? How do we restructure new thoughts and then act differently? How can we reorganize our thoughts in response to life experiences? Hint: it’s not from scrolling through social media posts for three hours. It’s not from binge-watching our favorite Netflix series. The answer is not on Twitter, Facebook, or TicTock.
So, where should we turn? In Matthew 4, there’s a story of when Jesus was in the wilderness. He was tempted by the Devil. In Matthew 4:2-4, it says, “2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
We are formed, our brains are made, and we are built to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. That’s what Jesus said back then. That’s what is written for us today. When the Devil tempted him, Jesus couldn’t whip out his iPhone and open the TheWay.org app to quote a verse that would apply to the situation. Instead, he had already internalized spiritual truths from God’s Word, creating helpful neural pathways in his brain so that he could take the right action. When tempted, Jesus followed the path that led him to freedom and victory.
That’s what we can do. We can do what Jesus did because, as John 14:12 says, “She that believeth on me, the works that I do shall she do also; and greater works than these shall she do; because I go unto my Father.” That’s what we can do and where we can take ourselves.
A verse in Psalms says God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. The Word shows us where to go and what steps to take that lead to victory. Every verse in the Bible is God-breathed, and it’s profitable to us in its instruction, for reproof, for correcting our errors, and for training us in righteousness (in holy living, in being transformed to God’s will in our thoughts, our purpose, and our actions), So that the men and women and children of God may be complete, well-fitted, and thoroughly equipped for every good work that we do in life.
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Sometimes I think about money. I have thoughts about if I have enough. Do we have enough? Should I make more? How much am I spending? Where am I spending it? The good news is that the Bible speaks to all our problems and challenges, even our thoughts about money. God’s Word gives us the truth that applies directly to my thoughts about any situation, including money. Here are some verses that can help rewire my brain and change my thoughts.
Philippians 4:12-13. I know how to be abased and live humbly in difficult circumstances, and I also know how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having sufficiency and enough to spare, or going without and being in want. Here’s the secret: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2 Corinthians 9:8. God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance so that you may (always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be) you may be self-sufficient - possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work.
In Malachi 3:10, God says, and it is written, “Test me now in this, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you so great a blessing until there is no more room to receive it.”
My new brain pathway, in my own words, can be something like this: Money is not and will never be a problem. We can do all things in every situation. God is a graceful and abundant provider who meets every need. Expect miracles and blessings so great because God is able to do superabundantly more than we can ask or think.
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What new neural pathway do we need to create? What new thoughts do we need to put into our minds? How can we redirect our thoughts and change neural pathways that develop new, good habits?
I encourage you to take some time, and search the scriptures, for in them are those promises of God that can help us in our daily lives. Our lives are always moving in the direction of our thoughts. God’s Word can help change the way we think, which then shapes what we do, who we are, and how we live and experience life.
The more we can understand how powerful our minds and thoughts are, built on the Word's strong foundation, the more powerful and victorious we can live.
And that’s what I was thinking about and wanted to share with you.
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