"Main Scripture: 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 NIV
Linked Science Concept: Through our thoughts we can be our own micro surgeons as we make choices that will change the circuits in our brains. We are designed to do our own brain surgery and rewire our brains by thinking and by choosing to renew our minds."
I have meditated on the scripture above over the years but I always wondered what it really meant. I think I have understood bits and pieces but when I read this book, it showed me that we are actually hardwired to fullfill this scripture in our lives. God has given us the equipment to carry out His will. He has!!!! This book shows you how to begin to use that equipment.
Dr. Leaf states that "This scientific power of our mind to change the brain is called epigenetics and spiritually is is as a man thinks, so is he (Proverbs 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 (Romans 12:2)"
The scientific evidence for scripture is simply profound. God's word is true and His intention has always been to carry it out through us. If you are anything like me, you have wondered why it's so hard to change and break old habits. Maybe you have wondered why you haven't seen any growth spiritually, even though you are trying to do all the right things to learn more about God. This book is not the entire answer but it does shed some light on how we can begin to play a very active part, with God, in being transformed by the renewing of our minds so we can begin to carryout God's will in our lives. Within scripture you hear constant references to the "heart" "mind" "spirit" "soul", none of which you can see. The scripture below talks about the power of the things that you cannot see:
Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
When you consider the scriptural truth above; it is no different then how we produce output in our everyday lives? For example, when it comes to the spirit, we cannot necessarily see the "spirit" but the spirit can be measured by it's fruit.
Below is more excerpts from the book:
"The decisions you make today become part of the thought networks in your brain. The two copies of the chromosome that you carry in each of your cells contain the entire set of genetic material necessary to make you. An interesting point: A cell in your brain and a cell in your kidney contain the exact same DNA. And while in utero (in the womb), the nascent (emerging, developing) cells differentiate into either a brain cell or a kidney cell only when crucial epigenetic processes turn the right genes on or off. So God has designed perfectly timed epigenetic signals to switch on in the womb as the baby is developing. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jer. 1:5).
The epigenetic marks in our genes that may predispose us to smoke, eat too much of the wrong foods, be negative, or worry can change. The way we react—our thinking and choosing—becomes the signal that activates or deactivates the generational issues in our lives. "
What Dr. Leaf says above further confirms Hebrew 11:3 when it says that the things which are seen were not made by things which are visible.
Take away thought - In our culture today we give much time and fuss over the things which are visible, but the things which are not visible tend to suffer. I think realizing that the way in which we think is the creative process that God has blessed us with, to be co-creators with Him, in the lives that we are called to live out on this earth. You no longer have to passively, will yourself, to do something unsuccessfully; because you now know that you have the equipment to carry out your very thoughts. Your brain carries out the intentions of your mind. It is your brain that is central in producing the output for the rest of your body, but it is a passive instrument merely responding to our mind. It is in our minds in which we think, it is our brain that carries it out.
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