How does the Holy Spirit interface with our brains to give us new thoughts?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

EarnestQ

Senior Member
Apr 28, 2016
2,588
310
83
#1
Perhaps, we need to first ask what is the difference between our souls, our minds, and our brains. (I don't have an answer for this.)

Generally, I presume that our minds and brains are so integrated that we really can't discern the difference.

But, to follow up on the original question, how does the Holy Spirit interact with certain parts of our brains (or minds, or souls) to give us a new idea that we would not have had otherwise?

I think the ancients thought that the pineal gland was the location of the soul. Does anyone know of any evidence in this direction?

Do you think this is where the Holy Spirit interfaces with our brain to give us new thoughts and/or attitudes?

When the Bible says "Christ is in us", how does He actually influence our thoughts? Does He have a specific place in our brains that He can stimulate?

Is there a functional difference between the brains of a spiritually mature Christian and an emotionally mature non-Christian?

Any thoughts?
 
Last edited:
F

FreeNChrist

Guest
#2
Through our own human spirit.
 
F

FreeNChrist

Guest
#4
It means that our "interface" with God is our spirit.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,031
13,039
113
58
#5
1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
 
Feb 21, 2012
3,794
199
63
#6
Perhaps, we need to first ask what is the difference between our souls, our minds, and our brains. (I don't have an answer for this.)

Generally, I presume that our minds and brains are so integrated that we really can't discern the difference.

But, to follow up on the original question, how does the Holy Spirit interact with certain parts of our brains (or minds, or souls) to give us a new idea that we would not have had otherwise?

I think the ancients thought that the pineal gland was the location of the soul. Does anyone know of any evidence in this direction?Do you think this is where the Holy Spirit interfaces with our brain to give us new thoughts and/or attitudes?

When the Bible says "Christ is in us", how does He actually influence our thoughts? Does He have a specific place in our brains that He can stimulate?

Is there a functional difference between the brains of a spiritually mature Christian and an emotionally mature non-Christian?

Any thoughts?
When we are born again and receive holy spirit - (God is Spirit) and now He is able to speak to us through that new creation, i.e. Spirit. God will speak to us through his word or directly in a still small voice - we just have to be listening!
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#7
Look Dr Caroline Leaf. She is a Christian and a neuroscientist.. She has many videos where she explains all the things you are asking.
 
Feb 11, 2016
2,501
40
0
#8
The Holy Spirit is the mind of Christ. His Spirit which bears witness with our own that we are children of God, He leads us, and teaches us, quickens something to us, empowers us, He helps us. When we feel weak its almost as if just in that moment He is like the breath of God exhaling within us filling us with strength (as I would describe it.)
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,624
13,119
113
#9
When the Bible says "Christ is in us", how does He actually influence our thoughts? Does He have a specific place in our brains that He can stimulate?

Is there a functional difference between the brains of a spiritually mature Christian and an emotionally mature non-Christian?

Any thoughts?

certainly our minds are being renewed.

the scripture uses the word "heart" over 100 times, in both the old & new testaments, and not once that i'm aware of is it ever used to refer to the center of the cardiovascular system. it is always​ figurative. instead, it is speaking of some aspect of what we would today call the "mind" or "psyche" -- the 'center' of a person. Christ says the 'heart' is the origin of evil thoughts. the scriptures promise that God will give a new heart to His people. they talk about it as the place where a person "understands" and "believes."

in psychological terms, it seems to fit the idea of "id" or "subconscious" pretty well.

the scriptures not only promise God's people a new heart, but a new spirit - clean replacements of the corrupt human ones we had/have. they say of the saints, that our minds are being renewed by the Spirit - growing in knowledge of God.

i think the first answers you got - that the 'interface' is the spirit, is a very good way to put it. it is the Holy Spirit who 'teaches' and 'reminds' us of heavenly things, and it is through Him that our minds lose focus of earthly things.

whether there is a physical, measurable interface ((is that what you're wondering about, or part of it?)) -- i don't know about that. the immediate implication, if human knowledge is good for anything, is that the regeneration taking place in us could be mimicked completely by the right set of chemical influences and/or surgeries.
. . but our circumcision is one not by human hands.

is there a difference in the "mind" of believers and non-believers? yes, amen - the corruption in ours is being removed, praise God! so we can "see" clearly and begin to understand and comprehend with the mind of Christ. is there a difference in the "brain" ?
well -- i think these are two entirely different questions, is all i want to say right now :)

if you do the science, herr Frankenstein, please to share the results! and make sure your Igor gets the right brain!! hahaha
 
T

Trail-of-Truth

Guest
#10
One thing is certain- our soul is in our body, but our soul is not physical. "God breathed into his nostrils and he became a living being." Did it go from his nostrils to his brain? Idk. The bible says the life is in the blood. But there is another thing to consider, He says He will write His name on our foreheads and on our hearts. Now many times when the bible talks of our heart it is referring to our minds, our thoughts mixed with emotion.

Scientists did an experiment. They hooked those suction cup strings all over people's heads, and had them read a list of words. When it came to words like love, church, God, faith, hope, etc- that is the only time there was brain activity right behind the forehead. So I thought also that our soul is in our brain. But I have seen people with dents in their head because they are missing big chunks of their brain, even half the forehead, but are still able to function. Did the part of the forehead that remained contain the soul? Idk. I've been meaning to look up what part of your brain you can't live without.

Whether it be the brain, enough blood, or something else, where is the point that the soul will definitely leave the body (death) if you lost it? There's been heart transplants, so it's not that. People have lost limbs, so it's not that. I know many causes of death, but what specifically makes the soul leave the body, I don't know. Sin starts in the mind, then is carried out physically. The same is so for good deeds. We definitely can't live without a certain part of our brain, or our blood.

Good question. Obviously I've pondered this myself.
 
Jun 27, 2016
54
0
0
#11
Everything I know has been given to ke, shown, by Jesus, Almighty, the spirit of truth and God servants. The soul.. This is how it is all given to me. Spirit. The flesh cannot nor will not hold Gods truths. The mind cannot. I was taught the mind and how it works in a matter of weeks.
 
Jun 27, 2016
54
0
0
#13
I was attacked by Satan, officers, injected 100% ethonal, two huge vials of it, directly into my spine, other drugs and posions injected into my shoulders, shocked in the heart over and over again, ribs broken, and dropped off at hospital for dead, flesh lifeless, fake name given, on my back, nude and I woke, alive, 13 hours later. Blood became clear with bright light pink areas.. The flesh is not life, nor is the blood or anything else concerning the flesh.
 
P

psalm6819

Guest
#14
Perhaps, we need to first ask what is the difference between our souls, our minds, and our brains. (I don't have an answer for this.)

Generally, I presume that our minds and brains are so integrated that we really can't discern the difference.

But, to follow up on the original question, how does the Holy Spirit interact with certain parts of our brains (or minds, or souls) to give us a new idea that we would not have had otherwise?

I think the ancients thought that the pineal gland was the location of the soul. Does anyone know of any evidence in this direction?

Do you think this is where the Holy Spirit interfaces with our brain to give us new thoughts and/or attitudes?

When the Bible says "Christ is in us", how does He actually influence our thoughts? Does He have a specific place in our brains that He can stimulate?

Is there a functional difference between the brains of a spiritually mature Christian and an emotionally mature non-Christian?

Any thoughts?
the brain is physical, the mind is not , it controls the brain :)
 
Jan 7, 2015
6,057
78
0
#15
Those who are born again of God's Spirit are renewed in the spirit of their minds, changing from flesh (carnally minded) to Spirit (spiritually minded=having the mind of Christ)

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Ephesians 4:23
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
 
Feb 11, 2016
2,501
40
0
#17
The holy spirit is intelligence.
Beautiful. The wisdom of the Father, as Gods thoughts are not ours, his thoughts are higher then ours.

He is also the great reminder, helper, when there is no comfort to be found in another even we receieve from Him the comfort of God by Him.
 
Jun 27, 2016
54
0
0
#18
Those who are born again of God's Spirit are renewed in the spirit of their minds, changing from flesh (carnally minded) to Spirit (spiritually minded=having the mind of Christ)

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Ephesians 4:23
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Romans 8:6
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
When Satan is denied and cast from the flesh, the mind, the mind then returns to its true service and purpose. That mind still does not house nor hold Gifts, Truths. To think, those thoughts, are Satan, and without him, one stops thinking in the flesh. There is no connection, deny thyself to work with God, to be with God, in the spirit and in truth.
 
Last edited:
Jun 27, 2016
54
0
0
#19
One is either ruled by the flesh or the spirit. Ones transition between the two is why Jesus is required. It is impossible without Jesus.
 

crossnote

Senior Member
Nov 24, 2012
30,704
3,650
113
#20
IMHO/IMHO/IMHO

I believe the interface is in His words.
Ever wonder why animals do not communicate in words? We are made in His image.
The brain is the physical recepter of words, the mind is the spiritual. Our renewed/regenerated mind has it's spiritual ears functioning to hear and understand. Fallen minds operate with words but cannot discern truth when it hits them.