RENEW | Day 2 • A Biblical Perspective on the Mind

Friday, October 02, 2015 Bryan Hudson 2 Comments



[NOTE: Excerpt from "Renew: Principles of Change for a Better Life." Get the ebook or book and Join In this 30-Day Devotional}
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1 Corinthians 2:13, These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

A major shift in thinking happened in the 20th Century that mirrors the rise of psychology and psychiatry. People today generally regard psychology and psychiatry as the authoritative source for all things mental. Ministers and Christian counselors are sometimes viewed as unhelpful by the scientific community (though some are unhelpful). After all is said and done scientifically, there remains a void in understanding humanity that only God and His word can fill, as it relates to the human heart and mind.

Nothing in our Christian faith is opposed to taking full advantage of expert science and medical help. In fact, we thank God for effective clinicians, doctors and medical professionals! 

However, matters of the heart and the soul can only be rightly understood through the Scriptures. The mind is part of the soul. This devotional book unapologetically relies on God’s Word to help believers in Christ, and all who seek Him, understand the mind from a biblical perspective.

Our thinking is shaped by two factors: 1) Man’s wisdom, and 2) The Holy Spirit. The former is “natural” and the latter is “spiritual.” As Christians, we don’t consider man’s wisdom necessarily wrong, but it is most certainly incomplete. Since the mind is clearly not something natural, man’s natural wisdom is incapable of fully understanding the mind. All the more reason to rely on God and His word for understanding. Some things, like the mind, are “spiritually discerned.” 

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Reflection Question: What is an example of man's wisdom that falls short of what the Holy Spirit can teach?

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If you were blessed by this or any other lesson during the RENEW devotional, feel free to share your insights and testimony with me using the "My Testimony" link below.




2 comments :

  1. Day 2 Reflection Question: What is an example of man's wisdom that falls short of what the Holy Spirit can teach?The important foundation of family is one example. Man’s wisdom, family and marriage counselors and books, can offer guidance for family and marital problems. However, most of these sources do not consider the biblical foundation of marriage and family roles, and distinctions between how God created male and female. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit provides principles and guidelines on how to have a healthy marriage and family.

    Key Insight gained: Man’s wisdom is not the ultimate source for solving matters concerning the heart and soul.

    Action item: Read and consider the Word of God when working through matters conceding making decisions and problem solving.

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  2. Thanks for your excellent insights!

    ReplyDelete