Does God Program Our Minds?

Q: I am a computer programmer and find my work fascinating, but I read a book about God programming our minds. Does He really do that? — C.P.

A: This indeed is a fascinating field and one that is constantly changing. It is said that before an upgrade can be completed, other upgrades are already in the works. It is amazing to think that a set of instructions are inserted into a computer’s memory that tell it what to do.

In a sense, we do get programmed by families, culture, education and entertainment. Our minds are constantly taking in information and images that impact how we think, what we say and what we do. While God does not program us in the same way as a set of instructions or as a robot, the Bible does tell us that God has “set eternity” in our hearts but no one knows the work God does from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

We are responsible for what we allow into our minds. We need to program our minds and our hearts and when bad things permeate our thinking and take root, we are to seek the mind of Christ and replace bad with good from God’s Word. He provides truth to replace lies you’ve believed about yourself and others, and even lies about God.

Open your heart to Christ and ask Him to help you see yourself the way He sees you. Depend on Him to reveal to you what needs to be cleaned up, and then drink in the pure water of His wisdom. He will faithfully guide you. That is His desire for you. “Set up signposts, make landmarks; set your heart toward the highway” (Jeremiah 31:21). The Bible is our roadmap for living a life that brings glory and honor to His name.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.