It was once thought that by the time you reach adulthood,
your brain does not change except that cells begin to die off. That has been
repeatedly disproven, and neuroplasticity is the term for the constant change
and rewiring that our brains do throughout our lives. Psychologists and
theologians alike are realizing what implications this has for the way we
think. Hebb’s Rule is that “the neurons that fire together wire together.” In
other words, the more you think or behave a certain way, the more likely you
will continue to do so.
In his book. The
God-Shaped Brain, Dr. Timothy Jennings notes the profound impact our
thoughts can have. He gives examples of those who have died of imagined
diseases (such as a curse) or of diseases that the person thought were more
serious than they really were. And in a recent podcast, Dr. Lee Warren advises
that we need to rewire our brains by taming our self-talk, because we start to
believe what we tell ourselves.
Scripture supports these concepts. “Let the words of my
mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my
Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). It’s not just what we say aloud that
matters, but what we think about. In Matthew 5, Jesus says that it is not just
outward behavior that counts as sin, but also the angry or lustful attitudes in
our hearts. We can be enslaved to sin without it ever showing outwardly (Rom.
6:16).
We can also be incredibly unloving, not just to others but
to ourselves as well. I know I am much harder on myself than I ever would be on
someone else. And yet, I am just as much God’s beloved child as they are. If
God has forgiven us and does not condemn us, we should not condemn ourselves
either (Rom. 8:1).
The Apostle Paul wrote, “We destroy arguments and every
lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought
captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). He probably wasn’t thinking about
neuroplasticity, but the concept still applies. When we notice the pattern of
our thoughts, we have an opportunity to redirect them in ways that honor Christ
as our Lord and Savior. It’s not always easy or quick, but over time we’ll see
a change becoming embedded in our brains.
No doubt this is why we are told, “whatever is true,
whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything
worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be
with you” (Phil. 4:8-9). We need constant practice in monitoring what goes into
our brains as well as what comes out of them. The things that we meditate on,
either good or bad, impact our views of God, self, and others (Rom. 1:21).
Although I don’t generally make New Year’s resolutions, my
hope and desire for the year ahead (and for the rest of my life), is to take every
thought captive to obey Christ so that the meditation of my heart will be
acceptable in His sight. That’s a path where ongoing growth is always possible
because it is God’s desire for each of His children.
“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” (Rom. 12:2).
© 2026 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
