10: THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF BIBLICALLY INFORMED THINKING

WHEN I WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD and living with my grandparents on our family ranch in southern Utah, there was a door between our bedrooms that gave me a direct line of sight to my grandpa’s side of the bed. Every night before falling asleep, I saw him reading his Bible. To be honest, I started to wonder if he was a slow reader because he never seemed to finish that book. But as I became more aware, I realized it wasn’t that my grandpa was a slow reader but that he had a deep love for God’s Word.

During the three years I lived with my grandparents, my grandpa’s love for the Bible rubbed off on me. As a result, during the last forty-three years that I have followed Jesus, I have been deeply committed to reading and studying God’s Word. And yet, almost every time I read a familiar passage or story in the Bible today, the Holy Spirit shows me something new. This just reinforces the fact that “the word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12, NIV). So imagine my surprise—as I continued to study the Bible while writing my doctoral dissertation—to find numerous references in very familiar passages that supported my growing understanding of neuroscience—especially the important role that my thinking played in my own Christ-formation.

In this chapter, I want to share with you my findings from Scripture that support how neuroscience can inform our discipleship to Jesus.

The Biblical Emphasis on Right Thinking

In many of his letters, the apostle Paul refers to the important role Scripture plays in our thought life. For example, in Romans 12:2, Paul commands the believers living in Rome to “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” The Greek word Paul uses for “transformed” is metamorphoō, a present, passive imperative. The present tense emphasizes an ongoing, never-ending process of transformation that begins at the moment of salvation, continues throughout our lives, and will be completed in heaven. The passive voice of the verb means that our transformation is not something we can do alone. The power comes from the Holy Spirit, the primary agent behind the process of change (2 Corinthians 3:18). The imperative mood indicates this is not merely a suggestion or a good idea but a command. We obey this command as we study and apply the Scriptures to our lives. As pastor John MacArthur explains in his commentary on Romans, “God’s own Word is the instrument His own Holy Spirit uses to renew our minds, which, in turn, He uses to transform our living.”[1] Paul’s conclusion to Romans 12:2 is this: As we submit ourselves to this work of the Spirit, we are able to discern God’s will.

Another example where Paul emphasizes the importance of our thought life is Colossians 3:2: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (NIV). The Greek word Paul uses for “set your minds” is phroneō, which carries the meaning “to have a settled way of understanding, to hold an opinion, and to maintain an attitude.”[2] Paul is advocating an outlook of staying focused on the eternal promises and realities that are true for us in Christ.

Jesus is our best example in this. His focus on the realities of heaven gave him strength to endure the agonies of the cross: “Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame” (Hebrews 12:2, NLT). We have access to the same mindset as Jesus because we have been given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). The invitation to us is to keep the eyes of our hearts focused on him.[3] Both the apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews are exhorting us to view all of life through the lens of Christ; to be present to and live in light of the Father’s favor, provision, and protection.

We find another biblical example of Paul emphasizing the importance of right thinking in Philippians 4:8 (noted earlier), where he commands the believers in Philippi to consistently think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (NIV). The expression “think about” is a translation of the Greek word logizomai. New Testament scholar Grant Osborne explains its meaning: “to carefully consider and reflect on these qualities, to allow them to permeate our minds and thereby guide our conduct. The present tense stresses the need to dwell continually on these virtues.”[4] Biblical thinking is central to both Christ-formation and abundant living. Theologian Robert Saucy wrote, “As we immerse ourselves in God’s truth it changes the thinking of our heart and consequently the way we live.”[5] Consider the following biblical examples to illustrate the power of thoughts to influence outcomes.

David and Goliath

Saul was the king of Israel, who was at war with the Philistines. Goliath was a giant of a man and a fierce warrior. He was the undefeated Philistine champion who profaned the God of Israel and set a challenge for one Israelite warrior to fight him; the victor would decide the outcome of the war. The Bible says after hearing the words of Goliath, the Israelites were “dismayed and terrified” (1 Samuel 17:11, NIV). Let’s take a minute to read between the lines and consider some possible thoughts going through the minds of Saul’s warriors.

Maybe some were thinking, He’s so big and strong, no one can defeat him. Or, We’re going to lose this battle for sure and become slaves to the Philistines. Or maybe, All is lost, there is no hope. What are we going to do? What would you have been thinking about? I probably would have sided with those who thought all was lost.

But that’s not what was running through David’s mind. After this young shepherd boy—unfamiliar in the ways of war, unskilled with sword and spear, unaccustomed to armor—heard what Goliath said, he was incensed and ready to fight:

David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

1 SAMUEL 17:45-47

Instead of letting fear consume his thoughts, David chose to think rightly about both God and Goliath, and the outcome produced a great victory that changed the course of history for himself and the rest of Israel. David’s triumph over Goliath was greatly influenced by what he chose to think about. David believed what the Old Testament Scripture reveals is true about God, the one true God, the covenant God of Israel. David believed that Yahweh “determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power” (Psalm 147:4-5, NIV). David believed that Yahweh was the one who delivered him from the paws of the lion and the bear when he defended his sheep from attack (1 Samuel 17:37) and that Yahweh would do the same in regard to Goliath. David believed that “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me” (Psalm 28:7, NIV). David allowed his knowledge of God and his experience with God to inform his thinking, and it changed the outcome of his life forever.

The Spies after Scouting Out the Promised Land

Prior to entering the Promised Land, Moses sent twelve Israelite spies into Canaan to do some reconnaissance. When the spies returned, ten of them were scared to death. We don’t need to read between the lines to know what these guys were thinking because we have it recorded in Scripture:

“We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

NUMBERS 13:31-33, NLT

Can’t you hear the fear in their voices and see the terror in their eyes as they report back to Moses? Their interpretation of the situation and perspective was totally skewed, and it caused them to be afraid. Their thinking influenced their decision and determined the outcome: We can’t take the land.

Joshua and Caleb chose to think about the same situation differently. They saw the same things the other ten spies did, but they chose to look at the situation through an entirely different lens. Instead of being afraid and uncertain, Joshua and Caleb said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). Because they chose to think differently, Joshua and Caleb experienced different emotions and made different choices, which produced a very different outcome. Of the twelve spies, only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the Promised Land. I would say that their thinking resulted in a very different quality of life.

Elisha, His Servant, and the Aramean Army

Elisha’s servant steps outside one morning and discovers that they are surrounded by an army of Arameans, enemies of God’s people. Thinking that they were going to be killed, the servant runs back inside and says to Elisha, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” Elisha responds, saying, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:15-16). Elisha had eyes to see what his servant could not, and he had a different mindset than his servant because he considered the situation from God’s perspective. In order to calm his servant down, Elisha asks the Lord to open his eyes so he can see the truth. The servant looks again and sees “that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire” (2 Kings 6:17, NLT).

The Transforming Power of Thinking Biblically

When we choose to think rightly about God and who we are as his sons and daughters, we will experience the challenges of life very differently. Fear is often the result of a distorted perspective brought on by faulty thinking. Instead of allowing lies and distortions of the truth to fill your mind, shift your thoughts to what God says is true. If you train yourself to do that, you will experience a much different outcome.

To think biblically about God is to remember that he is the King of kings, the creator and sustainer of all things through Christ. It is to remember that God is all-powerful, good, loving, compassionate, and kind; he is your heavenly Father who loves you dearly, as much as he loves his only begotten son (John 17:23).

God is always seeking your good. When you think biblically about who God is and who you are to him, you will experience healthy emotions—including love, joy, peace, and hope—that will affect your decisions and produce behavior that is in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). And when you choose to think biblically about the truth of who you are in Christ, that you are the son or daughter of God almighty, that you are his beloved, whom he loves with a fierce and tender love, why would you ever choose to dwell on lies and distortions of the truth again? The Holy Spirit uses Scripture to inform our thinking, and as we continue to submit to his work in our lives, we will be transformed.

In the next chapter, we will take a closer look at the person and work of the Holy Spirit in our Christ-formation and how he helps us to experience the abundant life.

Restoring My Soul with God

Biblically informed thoughts directly influence quality of life. This is especially true regarding the thoughts we have toward God. Spend some time reflecting on the Scriptures below and answer the corresponding prompt for each category (presence, provision, and protection):

PRESENCE: God is with me!

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8, NLT).
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, MSG).
[The LORD said,] “Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, TLB).
“The LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs” (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT).
“You’ve kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book” (Psalm 56:8, MSG).
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
[Jesus said,] “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17).
[Jesus said,] “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Ask the Lord to bring to your mind a specific time that he was with you. Describe that situation. Write down why you are grateful to the Lord for his presence. Write out what you think God wants to say to you about that situation.

PROVISION: God will take care of me.

[Jesus said,] “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:25-34, NLT).
“My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Ask the Lord to bring to your mind a specific time that He provided for you. Describe that situation. Write down why you are grateful to the Lord for his provision. Write out what you think God wants to say to you about that situation.

PROTECTION: God will protect me.

[The LORD said,] “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:1-3, NLT).
“Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way” (Psalm 23:4, TLB).
“Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening? GOD doesn’t come and go. God lasts. He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind” (Isaiah 40:28-31, MSG).
“The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:7-8, NIV).
[Jesus said,] “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:27-30).
“The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV).

Ask the Lord to bring to your mind a specific time that he protected you. Describe that situation. Write down why you are grateful to the Lord for his protection. Write down what you think God wants to say to you about that situation.

Restoring My Soul with Others

If you feel comfortable, share any insights that came out of your “Restoring My Soul with God” exercises dealing with God’s presence, provision, and protection.
How would you define biblically informed thinking?
Why is biblically informed thinking important both to Christ-formation and abundant living?
Review the biblical examples used in this chapter, and discuss the implications of biblically informed thinking.
What is an example (either positive or negative) from your own life that illustrates how thinking influences outcomes?