Mind Games | Making Change | Filters of the Mind

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…  Romans 12:2

Our brains are hunks of gray matter inside our skulls. They are the control centers for the rest of our bodies. Strangely, the Bible never talks about our brains, but it talks a lot about our minds. The mind is that part of us we also call a soul. The mind takes information from the brain and decides what to do with it. For example, when we step on a nail, the nerves in our foot shout to the brain: “Danger! You’re hurt!” The brain registers that and agrees that something must be done. But our minds decide whether we scream, shout curse words, or roll around on the ground. Our minds determine the course of our lives.

Brains don’t need to be transformed because they are physical organs like livers and kidneys. But our minds are highly influenceable. Minds take the brain’s information and filter it through culture, family opinion, experiences, and personal values. We choose actions based on those filters. For example, your eyes may see a man steal a watch and your brain registers that information. But your mind decides whether to believe that action was right or wrong by applying its usual filters. However, God tells us to lose those filters and use His instead. Information filtered through any source other than His word is subject to error. And when our minds are wrong, our actions are wrong. Renewal of the mind is the only way we can live in sync with God. 

Final Thought:  What filters does your mind use to process information and make decisions? 

Prayer: Father, I think I have a lot of filters that are leading me in the wrong direction. I’m basing my ideas and actions on sources other than your word and justifying sin because of it. I’m ready to let you transform my mind. In Jesus’ name, Amen.