I’m introducing my new column, “Think on These Things,” by asking: Have you ever heard the expression, “you are what you eat?” This is not only true physically but also for a person’s character, emotional and spiritual well-being. The concept of who you hang around with is who you’re likely to become also demonstrates this idea. Another name for this is neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize, adapt and create new neural connections throughout life in response to new experiences. The brain can create new pathways, good or bad, by learning new skills such as a musical instrument, a new language or hobby. The National Institute of Health reports that this occurs even when recovering from a stroke or when adapting to cognitive decline. The brain develops new default patterns when trained by new stimulus.
Neuroplasticity was first mentioned in 1948 but reflects the older Biblical concept of meditating to train the mind. “And on this law, he meditates day and night.”(Psalm 1:2)
Meditating upon what the Bible said about character development was practiced by Thomas Jefferson. Smithsonian sources say he studied his collection of Bible verses titled “The Life and Morals of Jesus Christ” before going to bed. A young Ben Franklin sought moral perfection by tracking himself against 13 weekly virtues for personal development. Humility, for example, was gained by imitating Jesus Christ or Socrates.
In the Bible book of Philippians, Chapter 4, the Apostle Paul advises “whatsoever things are true, honest, pure…. think on these things.”. And if you do them, “the God of peace will be with you.” Right thoughts stimulate right behavior, character and a clear conscience. Paul practiced this himself to have a “conscience void of offense with God and man.” (Acts 24:16).
The goal of this new column is to highlight various virtues found in the Bible with practical application for us to think about. The first article will be on the virtue of humility, following Ben Franklin’s advice. Join me next month to start developing new brain pathways.