Scripture
24This is the disciple who is testifying about these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25But there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they were written in detail, I expect that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. John 21:24-25
Observation
I’ve often longed to know the details on the “many other things which Jesus did” while here on earth. I suppose I will have that opportunity in eternity. I also know that the books of Jesus are still being written in the lives of His followers. “12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-13) John started off this gospel with the most poetic and powerful description of Christmas we have, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) So, when John, inspired by The Holy Spirit, wrote words about The Word he included only what we needed to believe, nothing more and nothing less. If I want to know The Word I need to continually be In God’s Word. If I want the mind of Christ I must continually read the Words of Christ and let them be brought alive in me by The Spirit of Christ. So, why do we feed on other worthless words? We don’t like correction or conviction so we seek out comfort food of the world. “3For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 5But you should keep a clear mind in every situation…” (2 Tim 4:3-5) So, if my brain isn’t being kept healthy on God’s Word’s it’s rotting away from the world’s words like junk food for the soul.
Application
Oxford University Press is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its lexicographers naming an English-language word or expression that reflects the world during the last 12 months. “After over 37,000 votes, worldwide public discussion, and analysis of our language data, we have named ‘brain rot’ as our Word of the Year for 2024. Brain Rot is defined as the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging” as well as “something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration”. According to the president of Oxford languages, “But the term has gained new traction in the past year among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. “These communities have amplified the expression through social media channels, the very place said to cause ‘brain rot’,” Grathwohl said. “It demonstrates a somewhat cheeky self-awareness in the younger generations about the harmful impact of social media that they’ve inherited.” So, our young people know that their online consumption is slowly rotting their brain and yet they cannot or will not stop. Ever open a bag of Cheetos and try to eat just a handful? Yeah, it’s like that but much much worse. It goes beyond such nonsensical words being spouted by young people such as “Ohio” or “skibidi” (don’t ask, but please pray for your youth pastor). The battle field of the mind is being lost with every doom scroll and pornographic post being normalized for the increasingly younger and younger. The phrase “you are what you eat” could just as easily be said as “you are what you read”. The word of the year actually shines a light on a broader, more serious conversation about the negative impact that excessively consuming online content might have on mental health, particularly in children and young people. Earlier this year, a mental health centre in the US even published advice online about how to recognize and avoid ‘brain rot’. In 2025 will we continue to follow the trend of abandoning sound and wholesome teaching of God’s Word for whatever half-truths and self-help quasi-spiritual teachings make us feel good? This is just more confirmation that our commitment to being in God’s Word through the Life Journal and Life Groups will keep our brain from rotting and will instead give us the mind of Christ. Our youth group is already starting a couple of them. If you are interested in either joining a Life Group or starting one in 2025 please click here.
Prayer
You have given us "The Mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16). I think about how You overcame the temptations of the devil in the wilderness by meditation on Scripture and letting that become the sharp sword against the half-truths being thrown at You. You have given us an example to follow and it doesn’t work to have us telling our kids one thing only to do the opposite. That kind of hypocrisy won’t help heal the minds of our young people. Help me to continue to prioritize my time in Your Word and my time with my boys and others teaching them to hear Your voice through Your Word in 2025. We want wide eyes and clear thinking as we head in to this new year and Your word is the lamp to our feet!
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