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The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste

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Submitted By jharris9009
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With Google on hand, who needs a dictionary to learn how to spell? This week’s lesson talked about the power reading has over watching television. One of the most memorable slogans in higher education is, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste”. This could not be more appropriate for this discussion board. From teaching people about animals from other countries on the discovery channel to which celebrity is wearing what on TMZ, children and adults have been over taken by the power of this “new” educational tool called, The Media. Over the past decade The Media has been the number one educational resource for all ages. Although times have changed for the better with innovative technology, people have lost the ability to do and think for themselves. If we are not actively exercising our mind it will go to waste.
Parents and educators are understandably concerned that young minds might be corrupted by exposure to literature written from an ungodly perspective. As a Christian, I believe we live in a fallen world with both spiritual and physical needs. Believers and unbelievers have desires of this world because God gave man a choice. As Christians, we should study secular literature so that we may be able to relate to those around us. Having the ability to understanding our environment only helps our ministries grow.
As believers we must learn to live in the right and live in the now. In 1 Peter 1: 16 God commands believers to, “Be holy, because I am holy.” The Bible doesn’t directly teach us math and literature yet, over hundreds of years God has given man the ability to think critically, write persuasively and read poetically. Everyone was created to serve and follow God and share the good news that Jesus has come and died for our sins so we may live in peace with God. Unfortunately, there is sin in the world that keeps us from following God on a daily basis. Technology, politics, new laws and so much more have affected the way believers perceive and rationalize evil in the world today. Without a biblical worldview, a believers foundation on what is right and holy according to God, could end up lost and destroyed.
Reply
This week we were to discuss why Christians should or should not read secular literature. You brought up many valid points as to why we should, as Christians, be able to read secular literature. You said it best when you said, “God designed our minds to think and not wonder”. As humans we sometimes forget how creative our God is and how much detail He used to create us. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them”. As Christians we all have God dwelling inside of us directing our paths. We have a choice to either exercise our minds to their fullest potentials or do nothing and let our minds turn into mush. Because we were made in the image of God we all have the power within in us to think critically, love emotionally and so forth. When we choose to watch television or sleep all day we are choosing not to live to our fullest potential. Indirectly we are disrespecting our creator.
God gave us minds to think! And if we can’t understand how powerful our minds our then how are we supposed to tell an unbeliever how powerful our God is? As Christian we should be well rounded in all subjects related to Christianity and the world. This will allow us to be better fishers of men. And having this knowledge will draw unbelievers closer to God because we can relate to their worldview. As Christians we must strengthen our minds daily with all knowledge that is good and acceptable to God. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”.

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