We do not change our minds. We adjust them. We only modify our thinking. Survival of the organism is priority over all others. The safety, protection and security of the brain is the primary operating principle. We like to think we are changing because this comforts our sensibilities that we ought to be. Whenever we receive any new piece of information, no matter how wonderful, we find ways to select the parts we want and reject the parts we don’t. Our brains, completely resistant to transformation, only absorbs that which can be integrated without upsetting the system already securely embedded in our thinking. We think that we change incrementally, so we continue our endless search for new information that will only entrench us further in our own precious presuppositions.
I’m not talking about knowledge. I’m not talking about facts. I’m not talking about, say, 1+3=4. Knowledge is incremental. We have to learn what one is, then what three is, then what four is, before we can understand the mathematical problem. Same with geography, science, etc. I am talking about transformation. I am talking about change. Transformation is not incremental, but traumatic. It means death, then resurrection. In other words, I need to die in order to live. My mind needs to die in order to be transformed. Truth, if it is real, will overthrow my existent thought-patterns. I might think that I have transformed incrementally. But this is only because I have experienced a series of crises, or deaths and resurrections, that resemble incremental growth. But it is not the same.
This is why, when I speak on a Sunday morning, I assume that everyone listening is going to nod their head in agreement or shake them in disagreement. I assume, because I believe I have an understanding about the way the brain works, that everyone listening is going to integrate what they agree with and reject what they don’t agree with. Even questions, guised under a desire to learn, are almost always dogmatic statements of the questioner seeking affirmation for what they already believe. No change is going to occur unless someone experiences a crisis in their thinking. But this is rare.
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I am always intriqued by your insightfulness about people.
What do you mean by a crisis in thinking? Would you say it’s being that man who looks in the mirror and remembers what he sees?
Why is it rare? Do you mean that transformation is rare?
i’d say transformation is rare.
I absolutely love it when you verbalize realizations I have had in my own life.
Rich Mullins’ reply when people asked him if he was ‘born again’, “Yes, often.” That’s how I’ve felt over the last 25 years of following Jesus. I’m not sure if that’s what you’re saying or the opposite of what you’re saying. I completely agree that I can’t “change” my mind but I feel sure that God’s changed my mind often.
that’s like becoming Christian, except I’m pretty sure it is not as traumatic for some as it is for others.
“I’m Christian?! How did that happen?”
Oh mystery of mysteries….why the cathartic road…the Golgothian walk?
Wow, David,
Your knowledge of how the brain works doesn’t jive with my conversion or my experience.
By the way, what famous guru did you learn that stuff from?
fishon
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Are you saying that we depend completely on God and in His mercy alone, to bring about crisis for change or, is this yet another dogmatic statement disguised as a question???
So, there’s NOTHING I can do to change me….
I feel strongly that this is true. Makes me want to smile (in relief that change doesn’t depend on me) and weep (asking God to send me some mercy) at the same time.
So true, I read your website because what you say resonates with me, and challenges me in a way I want to be challenged. If I didn’t agree with you, I probably wouldn’t read it.
But imagine if change was not rear, if we constantly upset our belief about everything. How would we filter sense from stupidity, how would we cope with the stormy seas of our own minds?
Julia,
If change depends only on God then I have nothing to feel guilty about, do I?
If change depends only on God, and God is NOT changing me, then I might as well raise a little hell. The only thing stopping me then is the fear of the law of man–but then, there are ump-teen thousand gang members that feel just like that, and don’t fear mans law anymore. And their excuse could be–only God changes man, and God didn’t change me–so I will raise hell.
fishon
Fishon,
One must be willing to change.
We see it in all the ‘greats’. God calls for a change, they accept God can work, they change, or They reject the change and become hardened.
Take Moses for example. He sought out who he was and murdered an egyptian. He ran away to escape punishment and became a shepherd. He met God there and could have stayed tending his sheep but he chose to step up to what God had asked and allowed God to work in him and through him.
This change is in sorts what baptism is a picture of: The sudden death of the Old and the resurrection to the new life in Christ.
God wants to change you and asks to be allowed. Will you let him?
You are bang-on David. I see this all the time in alcoholics and addicts. The ones that truly recover have experienced what AA calls a complete psychic change sufficient to remove the obsession with drink(drugs). This comes about as a result of the spiritual experience resulting from working the 12 steps. It is profound, life-changing and most definitely a crisis in thinking. And Fishon I also know several gang members who indeed have no fear of man’s laws who do not feel the need to make any excuses for raising hell. It is simply what they like to do. Like me, if God does not change them they will not change. I also have found in many instances more integrity and loyalty among them than in many folks in the church who are impressed with their own righteousness and fell so damned superior to the sinners and lost that they are no real good to anyone. You will see them every Sunday singing and waving hands in church and offering to pray for those in need but never see them giving up their evenings or weekends to actually help the unloveable and unlovely.
Greggmac said,
‘And Fishon I also know several gang members who indeed have no fear of man’s laws who do not feel the need to make any excuses for raising hell. It is simply what they like to do.’
—— They weren’t born with I simple like to do this. Somewhere along there growing up [I use that loosely] they made excuses for their first sinful acts.
Greg::I see this all the time in alcoholics and addicts. The ones that truly recover have experienced what AA calls a complete psychic change sufficient to remove the obsession with drink(drugs). This comes about as a result of the spiritual experience resulting from working the 12 steps. It is profound, life-changing and most definitely a crisis in thinking.
——-Though a spiritual experience was part of me overcoming being a drunkard, I know several that have given up drinking and drugs that NEVER experienced a spiritual experience.
I agree about the ’superior’ feeling church folks.
fishon
fishon: Do you have a question about my comments?
Fishon – I’m not sure what you’re saying? Are you saying that change isn’t traumatic? Or that there can be gradual change as well as quick “darkness to light” changes?
people are born sinful and cannot come to god unless he calls them. But people can overcome addictions without a spiritual experience. Except, maybe not as completely. I know God does change people. And I’ve never personally met anyone who has overcome anything on their own. I’ve seen people stopping and starting the same things, people switching addictions, and people who are slowly being sanctified.
Fishon,
Sin does not need to be excused if it is not recognized and without “the beginning of wisdom” it is not usually recognised. Early in my life I felt no need for excuses I did what I wished and offered no apologies. Also I am not talking about quitting drinking and/or drugging; I am talking about recovering from addiction which is a very different thing. As you and Semety have correctly pointed out folks can quit without a spiritual experience but they absolutely cannot be “recovered” outside of a spiritual experience which includes repentance(change of mind/heart-usually brought on by crisis) and restitution for wrongs.
I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of days and it’s really bugging me. If I’m reading my bible right we should be changing. Not just our behaviour but our heart and the fruit begins to show itself.
But you are right David that this is rare and it’s sad. I think this is because most Christian activities don’t cultivate an environment of humility, authenticity and freedom to really look at ourselves. And it requires the courage to let the Holy Spirit search us and show us the truth about our thinking. When this happens it is life changing and joyful. We can do this on our own but it works better with others. Especially if we are hearing from the Lord for each other.
I have seen this on a regular basis as me and my group of ladies delve into stronghold and heart issues. We ask the Lord to show us where each person is with each issue such as insecurity, anger, control etc. The Holy Spirit gives us pictures and words that help us see what is really going on in our heart and how it plays out in our lives. Then we help each other pray repentance and freedom from the heart issues. The truth sets us free. And yes – we do change from the inside out – over time as the truth resonates and we walk in freedom.
It’s so amazing to see what the Lord brings each time. He meets each of us in a way that assures us He really knows us! It’s so much different than just talking about problems and giving one another advice which is the way many care groups operate. We are all very new at this and it’s fun to practice hearing from the Lord with each other with no pressure.
The book that we are using can be found through this ministry. It has changed my life. https://www.sycamorecommission.org/
I forgot to mention the book and course manual is called “Living Free: Recovering God’s Design for your life”