HABITS OF MIND



‘HABITS OF MIND’

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

Introduction

‘Habits of Mind’ support the ideals demonstrated in the Bible and gives us tools to use in our Christian mission. They are complementary to the Christian lifestyle, as they are all habits which bring positive behavioural outcomes, and which help us to glorify God’s name through advocating courageous, upright, admirable and visionary lives. They help us to integrate the way we live with what we believe. The Bible also presents us with role models. There is a strong correlation between the use of the habits and successful life outcomes for our biblical figures. The opposite is also true. Another connection between ‘Habits of Mind’ and faith is that they are both lifelong. During our spiritual journey, the habits help us to listen to God, understand His will for our lives and fulfill the purposes that He has ordained for us. ‘Habits of Mind’ has not been developed as a Christian framework. However, the close connection with so many biblical principles, ideas, stories and characters must make us think that ‘Habits of Mind’ as a framework is no accident!

Exploring the 16 Habits and their Relationship to the Bible

1. Persistence: Persisting means to both keep trying and to continue the task even if you are not sure of the outcome. By standing firm in God and our beliefs, we can persevere until the task is finished. In Galatians 6:9, Paul encourages us to ‘not become weary in doing ‘good’, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’ This verse is one of many in the Bible that both encourages and empowers us to persist despite setbacks and obstacles.

2. Managing impulsivity: In managing our impulsivity we both stop ourselves from reacting in an inappropriate way, as well as making calculated plans which will generate positive outcomes. In Proverbs 21:11 it says ‘A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control’. This verse identifies the same idea that the habit of ‘managing impulsivity’ does. There are many examples of negative consequences of impulsivity in the Bible. David is a prime example, as he gives in to sexual desires. In fact, if Adam and Eve had managed their impulsivity, the world’s story may be quite different. It can also be related to obedience to God and the teachings of scripture as we ‘take captive of every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’ (2Cor 10:5)

3. Listening with understanding and empathy: This type of listening, asks us to try hard to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, even when we struggle with the content of what they are saying. In the story of the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7:24-30, Jesus listens in the same way we are asked to when developing this habit. The woman was not Jewish and therefore unclean, but Jesus listened to her request with an open heart and was consequently persuaded to heal her daughter. The example of Mary and Martha is also helpful, in that Jesus makes it clear that we are to listen and reflect as Mary did and not fill our lives with busyness.

4. Thinking flexibly: When we think flexibly we are open to new ideas, consider all ideas and look at a situation differently. The story of Joseph in Genesis gives us a fine example of how we can think flexibly. Joseph could have been forgiven for having tunnel vision where his brothers were concerned. He could have been negative and vengeful, but received all the events of the story in a positive way by looking at his problems from another perspective. By thinking flexibly he changed what was ‘meant for evil’ to what ‘God intended for good to accomplish what is now being done.’ (Genesis 50:20) The end result of Joseph’s thinking was a positive outcome and so it will be with us when we use the habit of ‘thinking flexibly’. In our faith journey, we also have to trust God, as Joseph did even when we don’t understand how things might work out. Abraham too, showed this same trust as God took him on an unknown journey. Neither could see the plan of God. As Hebrews 11:1 demonstrates, faith ‘is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see’. Thinking flexibly will help us negotiate our journey through life.

5. Metacognition: By being aware of your own thoughts, feelings and actions, you can relate much better to others and your understanding will increase enormously. God is the centre of this process. As it says in Psalm 139: 23-24, ‘Search me, O God and know my heart.’ Thinking about your thinking, empowered by the Holy Spirit will lead you ‘in the way everlasting.’ Metacognition also leads to understanding two crucial ideas. You will understand that there is a higher way of thinking and that is God, and that we a fallen and therefore sinful. Imagine too seeing Jesus after his death. You know He has died but meeting Him on the road to Emmaus begins some new thinking which changes your life as it did for those two disciples. By reflecting on what Jesus said and talking with him over supper, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Their metacognition led them straight back to the other Apostles declaring ‘”It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon”’. (Luke 24:33) Through metacognition, we too can encounter the risen Lord.

6. Striving for accuracy: We are called to do our best in all that we undertake and to strive to live lives that reflect God. God desires us to be excellent, so that we might ‘make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home or away from it’. (2Corinthians 5:9) Striving for accuracy is not about perfectionism, which is an unhelpful behaviour; it is about mastering skills and doing your personal best for the glory of God. Paul summed it up best when he wrote to the Corinthians, ‘”Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly (but) in such a way as to get the prize.”’ (1 Corinthians 9:24-26)

7. Questioning and posing problems: Jesus posed many problems, asked questions and gave strategies for solving all sorts of dilemmas. He told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and then asked ‘”So which of these three do you think was a neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?”’ He challenged his followers to do this type of questioning and problem solving many times during his ministry. The result of this thinking helps us to ask thoughtful questions and have a probing mind which seeks valid answers. Jesus even commanded his followers at the end of the parable to ‘”go and do likewise.”’ Although He was referring to being merciful, the behavioural habit of questioning and posing problems will bring many positive ideas about how to treat our neighbour.

8. Applying past knowledge to new situations: By applying what you know to a new situation you can make learning more meaningful or learn something entirely new. This was the case when Jesus told the disciples that they would ‘”make fishers of men.”’ (Matthew 4:39) Jesus was asking them to apply what they knew about fishing to the new situation of building the Kingdom. The Bible also tells us in Hebrews 2:1 that we must pay careful attention ‘to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.’ Using this habit will help us keep spiritually astute. We need to remember Jesus’ teachings, so that we can apply them to each new situation. The Bible is full of knowledge that needs to be applied to each situation in our lives, so that we ‘walk in obedience to his commands.’ (2 John 1:6)

9. Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision: We need to be clear in both our thinking and our communicating, just as Jesus was in his preaching and teaching. His finest example was the reply he gave to the Pharisees about the greatest commandment. ‘Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like it; love your neighbour as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22: 37-40) So if we love and do it for the Lord, our thoughts will be righteous and our ideas will come from obedience to the will and purpose of God. This is foundational for this habit, as without underpinning biblical principles we will be weak in both thought and action. As Christians, whether in thought or word, we need to communicate effectively. Our yes must be yes and our no must be no! This decisiveness is always based on the will of God.

10. Gathering data through all senses: This habit is about exploring the world that God has created for us using all our sensory pathways. As a general idea, the Bible calls us to ‘set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under Heaven.’ (Ecclesiastes 1:13) The Bible is also full of sensory imagery that calls on us to ‘taste and see the goodness of the Lord’ (Psalm 34:8) and to be ‘salt and light’ (Matthew 5: 13-16) to the world. The experience of Pentecost must have been an explosion of the senses. (Acts 2: 1-6) Using all our senses will give us a much greater understanding of what we experience and alert us to God’s creation in a much deeper way.

11. Creating, imagining, innovating: God is a creator God. ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.’ (Genesis 1:1) Jesus himself was an original idea ‘the word made flesh’ as was the Gospel message He preached. He introduced many innovative ideas, such as the importance He gave to women and working miracles seven days a week. As we are created in God’s image, developing this habit will help us use our imagination to make the most of what God has given us. It encourages us to use our talents, to be Kingdom builders and to look to Jesus, as our hope and our salvation. We can imagine a better world and be agents of change to bring it about. This habit both transforms and empowers us.

12. Responding with wonderment and awe: God is beyond our comprehension. His creation is a display of His glory, so it makes sense for us to be in the habit of viewing his creation with this attitude. Worship itself is about responding to God with wonderment and awe, even when something may seem ordinary. ‘He is your praise, He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.’ (Deuteronomy 10:21) God added his confirmation to the gospel message through supernatural acts such as healing and gifts of the Holy Spirit. ‘God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.’ (Hebrews 2:4) We need to be open to responding to God in this way, whether it seems ordinary or extraordinary.

13. Taking responsible risks: Jesus calls us to take risks for him and He rewards those who do, but that risk must be consistent with God’s word and instruction. This will make them positive in nature too. They will be in obedience to God and will serve to glorify him. God must always be behind our risk taking. When Peter walked on water, he took a responsible risk, but the moment he lost trust in Jesus because he was afraid, he failed. (Matthew 14:28-31) So taking responsible risks is related to trusting Jesus and having faith in Him even when we feel afraid. ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’ (Joshua 1:9)

14. Finding Humour: Having a playful attitude to life and being able to laugh at ourselves is one dimension of this habit. The other is finding joy even in difficult circumstances. God wants us to have a positive attitude, to present a joyful face to others, but this is not always something we can do on our own because of the circumstances of our lives. However, if we have integrated this habit into our lives, it is through our relationship with Jesus and our knowledge of the love of God that will help us to find joy. ‘My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let your patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4) What a fantastic promise! Finding joy is also closely related to humility, forgiveness and resilience. This habit is likely to bring contentment and peace.

15. Thinking interdependently: God wants us to be in relationship with him and one another, so this type of thinking will assist us in our journey. We are not created to be like everyone else but unique individuals created in the image of God. As scripture says, ‘one body, many parts.’ (Romans 12:4) God has also given us different gifts, talents and abilities, so it makes sense that we utilize our distinctiveness by thinking corporately. Acting interdependently as followers of Jesus also requires interdependent thinking. The imagery of the ‘body’ with its various parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) working together to build the Kingdom is not only powerful but frees us from the burden of having to know everything, and instead, relying on one another.

16. Remaining open to continuous learning: God always has something to teach us if we habitually remain open to continuous learning. Whether it is through His word, prayer, another person, an act or a discovery, being open to new things and enjoying the process is something we need to cultivate to live life to the full as Jesus intended. The Bible tells us that learning is valuable even for a wise person. Apart from Jesus, no one in the Bible reaches their limit for wisdom or knowledge. ‘Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.’ (Proverbs 9:9) Being open to continuous learning will make me alert and sensitive to the world around me and to God, so I will likely look at things at a deeper and more spiritual level. Using this habit will make all aspects of life much richer for the glory and honour of God.

Conclusion

These ‘Habits of Mind’ support the ideals demonstrated in the Bible. There is nothing in them that contradicts Jesus’ instructions to us. They align well with Christian values and enhance the eternal values of God. There is a strong correlation between the ‘Habits’ and the fruit of the spirit. These habits create responsible and competent individuals, who can serve God fully. By using them, we create a lifelong ability to understand, learn and fulfill God’s role for each of us. We will develop a strong foundation of Christian habits for life. As we daily encounter life’s challenges, we pray, meditate on God’s word, speak and act as Jesus did and spend time with the body of Christ. Daily, let us remember these habits too, because they will assist us in being faithful to our calling and whatever mission God places on our hearts.

Glen Gravis

2010

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