Why does GOD give you a brain?

Ray, this would be better in the forum section rather than in the welcome page.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Where does he condemn us for using it?

 

A brain is like a house with 7 rooms. Two rooms are vacant, two are rented out, one for sleeping, one for eating and the living room. Not hard to figure out which rooms are the most active.

After my strokes damage half my brain, I say to people: I only have half a brain. What is your excuse?

Cheers,

Jim

 

1Co 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
1Co 1:20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1Co 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
1Co 1:22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
1Co 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Co 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1Co 1:26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
1Co 1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
1Co 1:28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
1Co 1:29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
1Co 1:30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
1Co 1:31 Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

 

When He was handing out brains, I thought He said "trains", and I asked for a slow one.

Most of the time I wish I could give mine back.

AJ

 

Hi Ray,

I didn't have brain surgery. At age 65, I suffered 4 strokes which took my speech, mobility on right side, paralyses in both hands, no short term memory, and even long term memory lapses.

Three years after strokes, I preached my first sermon in my old church. A lot of therapy, doggesd determination and the blessings of God and here I am.

The Lord proves Himself over and over again. Sometimes we question why things happen, and when we utilize what we do have, we begin to appreciate just how much God does provide.

Keep the spirits up, mate. The roads to heaven may be paved in gold, but there are still some potholes along the way.

Cheers, and bless,

Jim

 

Because it is used sinfully. If you use your mind rightly you will not be condemned for using it.

 

REV are you in distress? Do you need assistance? I saw your flag and thought you needed help.

 

And yet Paul was using his brain to write this.... :tongue3:

If we veiw the brain as a tool, it can be used for evil.. which God would condemn.. but it can also be used to glorify God.. which is what Paul was doing.

I have talked to people that are against higher education for ministers. And they use the same passage you quoted as a proof text.

God expects us to use the resources he has given us to further his kingdom. The Brain is a resource... Some use it for evil... I choose to use mine to glorify God. And the more true knowledge I imput into it, the better I can do this.

A call from God to minister, is a call to educate ourselves in the way God wants us to minister... and that takes a brain.

:smilewinkgrin: And AJ, I am on that same slow train!!!

 

It depends on how we use our brain and what we think about or do because of our thoughts. If our thoughts are pleasing and honoring to Him, then he does not condemn those those. If our thoughts are impure in any way, then He does condemn those thoughts, He does not, however, condemn us just simply for using what He goes us. It's all a matter of how we use what He gives us.

 

Yeah... what he said.

 

Every Pastor should educate themselves. Making a specific level of education as a prerequisite is adding to scripture and unnecessary. But I was not speaking to that issue. I just answered your question. We can use our brains to exclude the Holy Ghost's leading. And it happens way to much.

 

I agree rev.

 

God gave us a brain because we are made in the image of God (intelligence, will).

He does not condemn us for using our brain (or will). It's the misuse that is condemned.

We use our brain when we read and study the Bible. Pastor use their brains (one hopes!) when they preach. Christians use their brains when they witness (not just brains but brains are used).

I think your question is similar to "When did you stop beating your wife?"

 

I don't think God condemns us for using (or not using) our brains. I believe the condemnation comes from our fleshly motives that exist due to our fallen nature, and for followers of Christ the after-affects of that nature.

Christianity isn't (and shouldn't be) anti-intellectual but should always be anti-sinful. We have a God-given free will to exercise as we consider moral options. The corruption that happened at Eden flows into all places.

If anything, God commends us for using our brains and trying to get our arms around the vastness of His glory.