The Worth Of Knowing

Last Sunday our pastor pointed out that living by the Spirit is the command Galatians 5. The fruit of the Spirit is simply what the Spirit produces in us when we walk by the Spirit. He then challenged us to look into what walking by the Spirit actually looks like in daily life.

I feel like most Christians have asked a question like that before: what does seeking the things in heaven mean (Colossians 3)? Abiding in Jesus, the vine (John 15)? Fixing our mind on things of the Spirit (Romans 8)? The list goes on and on.

Coincidently – or not – I’ve been listening and reading about cultivating a secure relationship with God looks like from neurological standpoint. And all these psychologists are pointing out a few things about how our brain works that supports what the Bible says about renewing our mind.

• Change from unhealthy sinful habits happens when we have hope that comes from a secure relationship. Our hope of witnessing God’s glory produces a change in our character. This produces more hope that is trustworthy because it’s based on a loving relationship we have with God through the Holy Spirit.

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans‬ ‭5:2-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

• The part of our brain that helps us be aware of interpersonal interactions also assigns value to things. It’s easier to remember and connect with stories versus dry facts because of this. Maybe this is a reason Jesus spoke in parables?

• Clearly relationship with God is important. God is pleased when we draw near to Him We’re told all throughout Scripture different ways to relate to God (pray, worship, sing, cry out, thank, fellowship, serve, dance, make music, fast, listen …). So we dedicate time to the spiritual disciplines.

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

• We don’t do spiritual disciplines to get something “apply to our lives” per se, but to spend time with God. That is the application. This allows us to become aware of He presence and are assured He’s not going anywhere. While our awareness and sense of closeness to God is not what makes Him real, it is what makes Him real to our brain and therefore us. Maybe this is renewing our mind – using the space spiritual disciplines create to have regular, actual connection with God so that we can align ourselves with the unchanging truth of His presence. Our felt sense of God will always ebb and flow, but it can also strengthen with practice.

“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Psalms 139:5 NLT

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.”John 14:16 NLT

• When we are in this relational mindset with God, the things of God (His Word) become important. Our relationship with God (not a list of Biblical truths by themselves) changes our desires and transforms us from the inside out.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We need to be in relationship with the Spirit to produce Spirit fruit. We can’t have this kind of change by starting with the sinful habit we want to get rid of or picking a fruit of the Spirit we want to work on and never going to the foundation of change – a hope-filled, secure connection with the God. The change that pleases God is one that comes when we walk in communion with Him.

Because when we come right down to it, if God wanted perfection instead of relationship He could have made us without free will.

But He chose relationship.

[helpful resources for me have been Knowing God Podcast, this Neuro Faith episode, this Attached to God episode, Why You Do the Things You Do, Unashamed]