The more one studies the latest scientific research of the brain the more we can do away with labels of people. According to Dr. Caroline Leaf , leading nero-metacognitive educationalist, everyone has an amazing brain with enormous capacity. The average person only uses about 0.0001 percent of their brain for intellectual functioning. Even so, Dr. Leaf states that at any moment our brains are creatively performing about 400 billion actions of which we are only aware of 2,000! Rightly did King David proclaim: I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139:14 Who then does not have more potential?
This is a marvelous thing, but also an awesome responsibility. Further research indicates that no DNA is the same in any other human being. The greatest gift to God and others that we can give is the way we think. No one else thinks like you. No one else has to offer what you can. The proverbs backs this claim: "As a man thinks in his heart so is he." Proverbs 23:7 More research, evidently the scientists state that our hearts are more than an organ that pumps blood, it also has a mini-brain that interprets our thoughts and discerns the integrity of future actions. This indicates that man has a choice as to how he will proceed with his thoughts. In other words, we are responsible for our thoughts and actions.
This is an awesome privilege and responsibility for human beings. We can think, choose and act as intelligent beings created in the image of God and use our unique gifts to offer for good or bad. God has given us free choice. Our choices have consequence for life or death. Our thought life can also affect our health. Research states that the body responds to our thoughts and emotions and passes on to the body our choice whether toxic or positive. This again confirms scripture. We are often what we think.
In a world that is filled with toxic data, discourse, and assault on our thought life, how can Christians in this age achieve a good thought life ? We need a source that is above this relentless dark input to redirect our minds. I would suggest the Bible. Paul the Apostle wrote to the Phillipians during a difficult time. Toward the end of the letter he wrote: "finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, what ever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –– think on these things –– and the God of peace will be with you."
It's nice to know that science confirms and is catching up with Holy Writ. As a practical application we all might want to dial back a bit from some of the current political discourse. See how the words lovely, pure, praiseworthy, or true don't come to mind.
Fr. Mark Miller is the pastor at the Resurrection Charismatic Episcopal Church in San Jacinto.
