Don't Lie- It Changes Your Brain

[Gail]

Here is how dishonesty changes your brain:

What lying does in your brain

[joeb]

All sinning changes the brain.  It becomes easier and easier to sin the more we do it.  This is why sanctification is a must.  Continued sinning means a mind/brain more in tune with the devil than with God.   Continual sanctification means a mind/brain in tune with God, not the devil....

Why we need to scientific study to "prove"  this is beyond me.  Six thousand years of humanity degrading itself due to sin is all the proof we need. 

[Tom Wetmore]

19 hours ago, joeb said:

Why we need to scientific study to "prove"  this is beyond me. 

I think it is important for the simple reason that whenever science confirms or helps explain what we know to be the Truth, it helps reinforce and validate our beliefs and provides a resource to help persuade the skeptics and modern secular minds that may not have even a basic foundation of faith in Scripture that we have or even a rudimentary familiarity with the language, terminology or basic concepts of religion of those of us that are already in the Church.  

There is no need to denigrate and cast aspersions on science or to foster an anti-intellectual spirit, especially when it really can help to spread and reinforce the Good News. Yes, it only takes the simple faith of a child to be a part of the Kingdom. It is good if you have it.  But that is not an attribute that many in the modern era have. We need tools and methods that appeal to and work with those who have confidence in science and learning, more now than ever. In fact, I believe that an anti-intellectual and and anti-science approach of some of the faithful will turn more away from even considering faith in God than will ever be drawn to Him by such an approach, or that will ever be lead away from faith in God by science and learning. 

[Gregory Matthews]

I agree with what Tom said.

When there is an apparent conflict with what I believe the Bible teaches and what science tells me, I accept the Biblical teaching as the standard of truth.  I have a number of beliefs in which my understanding of the Bible conflicts with my understanding as to what science says.  However, I remain open to the idea that my understanding as to what the Bible teaches may be subject to error and needing of revision.  After all, my understanding  of what God wants me to know in imperfect and growing.

But, the Bible does not speak specifically to every issue that is of interest to me.  E.G.  String theory interests me.  So, does quantum mechanics.  In areas where the Bible does not have a clear statement,  I  typically look to science and reason.

I will suggest that the Bible does NOT contain a clear statement as to dishonesty changing the internal wiring of the human brain.  So, absent such, it is of value to know what science says about it.  Gail has been helpful in posting the OP URL.

Also, in working with the secular person of today, it is helpful to know what science says.

 

 

 

 

 

[debbym]

Participating the in advancement of human science and math and the increase of knowledge and generating new technologies is very exciting.and the more you understand the more enthralling it is. i see this in my family and and community in limited ways.  And wow, it is to me far more wonderful than advances in law and government and courts, advancement in human rights, and politics which is pretty amazing too.

Then you have those who are by faith seeing the advancement of truth and light, new heights of integration of spiritual truths and broad principles with human experience and how the power of God transforms the mind and consciousness...  God is the source of all the good in all these lines of understanding.  God wants to and is blessing everyone as much as he possibly can.

New levels of scientific understanding rewrite what has already been held as the hard and fast scientific reality. We have a lot of room to be humbled every day in almost every direction of thought and study.

I think the the desire to know and understand more and more can be a lust, and only a walk with God will satisfy.  However our brains have been wired by sin, God, every day works with us to rewire those lines of connection that will ultimately defeat us. I have read every time we resist impatience we are rewiring our brain, i so believe it.  Every time we resist any form of sin our brains are being rewired.

I believe when we enter the Sabbath and lay down every pursuit of the week for uninterrupted communion with God, our brains are being profoundly rewired and God is actually writing His ways and His name in our minds.  Every thing that i would tend to place above God is exposed, and i can see and choose to set it aside and make God number 1 in every aspect of my being and my life.

[Gail]

I agree. I hope to learn more of science and math in the new earth. While it is true that theories reflect human reasoning, discoveries just make God's creation way bigger and more awesome and wondrous.

[pierrepaul]

Many scientific studies confirm what we intuitively know. Some confirm what we intuitively know but they help answer the question "why?" For example, we know from experience that repeated behaviour becomes commonplace and one gets desensitized to repeated stimuli. Compare the first time you held hands on a date with holding one's spouse's hand after 25 years of marriage. The emotional response is not the same. A sky-diver's first jump is a bigger rush than his 50th jump. Regular drug users need to take stronger and stronger doses to achieve the same "high". A study like this may help answer questions about the brain's process.

This phenomenon has positive and negative aspects. A pastor's first sermon, a pianist's first concert, an attorney's first trial, a physician's first surgery, a pilot's first flight, are nerve-wracking experiences for many. If the brain didn't get used to these things and if the brain didn't diminish the nervous response, few could pursue such careers without rapid emotional burnout. This is positive. On the negative side, familiarity can cause us to take for granted many blessings. For example familiar love doesn't generate the same emotional high as a new interest - and many have fallen into sin tempted by the excitement of that new "in love" feeling. Also on the negative side, inhibition to sin is reduced as one becomes accustomed to it. Whether it's lying, cheating, stealing, infidelity - once one's line between good and evil, sin and righteousness, is blurred, it becomes easier and easier to keep sinning, and it is then difficult to to right the ship.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made!