Keeping Your Brain Secure

Brain and mind studies interest me. We are told now that our brains can be “hacked” by computer algorithms (persuasiveness) and we need an anti-virus for our brain. As soon as I heard this, I thought: and God provided it! It’s truly wonderful that God has already precluded our problem by giving us the protection for our brain long BEFORE technology arrived. I find that amazing; yet, few people apply God’s protective measures.

I am often thinking about how powerful God’s Word is. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NASB). Our Father gave us instructions about renewing our minds daily so that we would have a habit of protection, providing us security from the world; He knew how desperately we need it. In the day we are living in, many still do not realize how much our brains have been affected by technology.

The mind is immaterial, unlike the brain which is organic/material. The reason there is so much controversy in the world over mind and brain studies is that opinion differs depending on your world view. God has told us so much about the minds He gave us and how to have a healthy one. If we adhere to the understanding which God our Creator provides, we can know His purpose and design for highly functional, pure, and fruitful minds.

Scripture tells us that our minds are seated in our hearts.

Jeremiah 17:10 ESV “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

1 Chronicles 28:9 [ David’s Charge to Solomon ] “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.”

Matthew 22:37 ESV And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Romans 12:2 ESV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Philippians 4:7 ESV “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Hebrews 10:16 ESV “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”

1 Peter 5:8 ESV “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Romans 8:5-6 ESV “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

We see this all around us as our culture continues to accept as normal, very destructive, and harmful influences. Some professing believers seem to have fallen into a trap themselves of believing the Kingdom of this World’s thinking over the actual Word of God. This can be seen in our lives, churches, small groups, everywhere. Our thinking has been greatly influenced by the culture we live in. This is not new, but with powerful persuasive technology that we willing give ourselves to, we are sucked into a vortex that perhaps we don’t realize has gotten us.

Anti-virus Protection

The wise solution for any generation is dousing your mind in God’s Word; this is our only safety-net from hidden invaders. While technology is very persuasive, we can choose what we set our minds upon and respond well to attacks. Remember: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV)

When I listen to techy millennials like Tristan Harris talk about technology and what it is doing today to people’s minds, I cannot help but realize once again how smart God is! He’s given us the brain security we need — the question is: Will you apply it?

Tristan Harris on TEDx     (17 minutes)

Photo Credits: Pixabay

Freedom from Habitual Sin

Addiction is rampant in our society. In biblical terms, we would describe this as bondage to an idol in the heart.  Something that has been given a place and taken hold in the person’s life to where they feel helpless to become free.  Some thing or person has been chosen over God to fill the void or remove some hidden pain in their soul. The good news is that through Jesus Christ there is freedom from destructive habits. It involves work and dedication to the process, but freedom is guaranteed to the ones who will humble themselves, repent with godly sorrow, and hate the sin that binds them. This involves loving the Savior who died to set us free from the bondage of sin, in whatever form it takes.

Sexual Idolatry is a major problem today. Unlike drug or alcohol addiction, this habitual sin can be masked for a period of time while secretly doing it’s work of changing one’s brain. Usually, by the time it is discovered, great harm has come to the individual, marriage, and family. The destructive consequences will follow, but there is hope.

With the growth of the internet, the porn epidemic has become a tsunami ravaging our world.  Pornography + Masturbation = Tragedy. Sexual abuse, pedophilia, sodomy, bestiality, human trafficking, and all sexual lust brings Satan delight in his mission to steal, kill and destroy God’s creation (John 10:10). Because of our Father’s great love toward us, He desires to redeem each one. His desire involves abundant life that comes from a right relationship with Him through repentance and correction steps to restore wholeness within.

II Cor. 7:11 indicators of Godly Sorrow:

1. Eagerness and earnest care to explain what you did, even though you may not understand why.
2. To clear yourself of the wrongdoing and follow-up with proper actions.
3. To hate the sin that you were involved in.
4. To have alarm and fear about the seriousness of sin.
5. A yearning and desire to live for God instead of your own pleasure.
6. Zeal to make things right. To correct all injustice.
7. A readiness to embrace the consequences and make corrections.

Understanding the physiological changes that result from habitual porn hits to the brain is cricial in gaining freedom. This will give hope and practical help to those who’ve struggled for years to be released from the bondage of porn use. Please see my Resources page for insights and wisdom.

LINKS to help (or go to RESOURCES Tab for additional links)

Photo Credit: Pixabay

How the Mighty Have Fallen

The string of sexual abuse allegations and ensuing consequences we have seen in the news is no new thing. At God’s appointed time, He lifts the veil on sin, exposing the widespread sexual idolatry among well-groomed men and women.

It used to be that the image of a pedophile, sodomite, or other types of sexual idolaters, was of someone unshaven, lurking around in a dark alley. No more – sexual lust is rampant. Nice looking and clean-shaven, they are in every type of business and professional setting. With the availability of pornography on the internet, and the many people habitually feeding on this, we are seeing the definite results, yet this is only the tip of the iceberg. God judges sin — people can spin sexual idolatry however they want, but God calls it sin.

God is gracious and merciful, he always gives clear warning about the consequences of sin before they come. He warns: if you do this – you will face this. It’s called the law of sowing and reaping. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man (woman) sows, he (she) shall also reap” (Gal.6:7). Simple, yet our sin-nature gravitates that way. That is why we need a Savior.

The past decade has been flooded with ED (erectile dysfunction) ads. Many people unaware of the physiological effects of masturbation with pornography may not have put 2 and 2 together as to why there’s so much public talk concerning such a private problem. Those who understand the link between the porn-addicted brain and sexual dysfunction knew why those ads were becoming mainstream. See: Your Brain on Porn

The gospel of Christ is the only solution to a sin-depraved world. Some of us may not gravitate toward sexual sin, but let us not become Pharisees, rather recognize that we all need to examine ourselves to see where we may be displeasing God and repent. Pride is something all humans are prone to, it’s in our DNA. Let us humble ourselves, be available to God, and be available to those who desire to repent and change.

Huge Paradigm

Our culture doesn’t recognize the word sin. They have substituted secular terms for sin. The sad truth is that many church attendees, even bible-reading people, do not want to acknowledge some of the modern-day sins that have encroached upon our culture. Unless we use biblical terms and define sin properly we can never bring remedy for the problem. Homosexuality, lesbianism, purveyors of gender confusion, and the like are addressed in Romans chapter 1 which states what happens to a person who continues therein. If we truly love people and want to offer freedom, we need to refer to these things for what they are so they have hope of freedom in the forgiveness that Christ offers for sin.

Beware your sin will find you out; this is a biblical promise. Some people like “Promise Cards”, little notes, or booklets listing the “nice” promises of God. We are admonished by Paul in Ephesians 4:15 to speak the truth in love and this requires the warning “promises” as well. At some point, God gives someone over to their sin. We see in Romans 1:24-26 God gave them up to…, vs. 26 God gave them up to… and vs. 28 God gave them over to…

There’s HOPE!

If you are involved with sexual sin, repent, and get godly, biblical, counsel so you can be set free from the snare of your enemy and your habitual choices. Acknowledge you need help and be willing to humble yourself and seek out someone trustworthy to help you. Pray and ask God to give you a nurturing church family to pray for you and help you through the struggle to become free. God will answer sincere, honest prayer.

Photo credits: Ellen DeGeneres Show, Matt Lauer. Pixabay

Now what? When loving care is exhausted…

What do you do when you see someone you love and care about heading down the wrong road?

1) ASK for guidance from the Lord. Hold on to what the Holy Spirit shows you in the midst of prayer and His Word. Psalm 63:1-3 (KJV).

2) DISCERN if you should speak or hold your peace. Discerning when and what to say is important. Prov. 9:9 (KJV).

3) PRAY always and sometimes with fasting. Mark 9:29 (KJV): ²So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

Prayer prepares our hearts with the heart of God toward grace and mercy for all. Through fasting we overcome our flesh and rise to a place of power with God to overcome self and the works of the Devil. Deliverance comes in the spiritual realm. We are dealing with demonic workers of iniquity. Christ knew their power and our weakness in the flesh.

Keeping ourselves daily in God’s Word and prayer will give us guidance in these matters. We should also rely upon the authorities God has provided both in our church and/or civil government.
Note: This was primarily written for those situations that do not require the involvement of civil authority as proscribed in Rom. 13:3-6. If this is warranted, then as a Christian the situation should be brought into the light (I John 1:7) for necessary correction and consequences. Consult with your pastor if you are uncertain about matters that are questionable. There are many more verses to be considered when it comes to knowing how to respond, such as Hebrews 12:12-14 (KJV) and your pastor should be able to guide you. A Biblical Counselor can be an additional resource.

Continue to read full article under tab: HOW TO WALK IT OUT

Photo Credit: Pixabay