The Content We Consume Affects Our Spiritual Lives
How the discipline of study can improve our mental and spiritual health.
Do our thoughts change our behaviors, or do our behaviors change our thoughts? I recall a certain spiritual formation class in seminary where the answers to this question were hotly debated. Some felt that focusing on behaviors to change thoughts was a path to legalism or rule-following, a way of spirituality discouraged by Jesus and the apostles. On the other hand, some felt that focusing on thought patterns was too abstract and did not engage the work necessary for spiritual development. From the business world to the world of health and fitness, there is an ongoing debate on what matters most: Mindset or work ethic? Motivation or discipline?
Much like the adage, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”, the question assumes that each of these things exists independently of the other. In reality, there are no eggs without chickens and there are no behaviors without thoughts—and vice versa. Thoughts and behaviors are in a dance with one another. Even if it feels like one is leading the other at times. They do not dance independently of one another, nor do they dance alone. There is a third partner, one who stands between them hand in hand and leads the dance: what we study.
“Study is the process whereby our minds take on an order conforming to the order of whatever we concentrate upon.”
Richard Foster
Out of all the spiritual disciplines, the discipline of study is the most helpful in consciously engaging the interplay between our thought-life and our daily behaviors. In the process of study, we concentrate on things from the world around us in such a way that our thoughts begin to conform to the order of those things. In this case, the behavior (study) changes our thoughts. But it doesn’t stop there. In his definition of study, Richard Foster remarks “Garbage in, garbage out; or conversely, beauty in, beauty out.” The way we think has a profound effect on how we act.
“How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”
Jesus (Matthew 12:34-35, NKJV)
When I joined the church of my youth, the pastor met with me and went through the teachings of the church. I had heard all of them my entire life, so I just nodded and agreed. One thing he said while discussing the church’s teaching about personal holiness stuck with me. He said, “What we read, watch, and listen to has a profound effect on the way we think and act.” In other words, what we study determines what we think and how we act. It has taken me 30 years to fully understand the power of that statement. As a younger man, I dismissed the notion altogether. It felt like a prohibition against R-rated movies, violent video games, and edgy rock music; all things that I enjoy. I thought of it as just another way for the church to control my life and turn me into a ‘good little boy,’ so to speak. Now I understand that it wasn’t a prohibition but a warning that everything I focus on or concentrate on affects me. There isn’t one film, one song, or one tweet that doesn’t contribute to my overall thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Apostle Paul (Phillippians 4:8, NKJV
One of the first things I do when my body isn’t feeling well is to inventory everything I have consumed lately that might be affecting me. Have I had enough water? Did I eat too much sodium? Am I due for some carbohydrates or have I overdone it lately? I have now began doing the same when my mental and spiritual health feels off. I ask myself: What I have I watched lately that may be making me feel this way? What have I read lately that might be causing lingering thoughts or anxiety? How balanced is my content consumption? Asking these questions and observing what things have my attention is helping me have more control over my moods, thoughts, and behaviors. I see the fruit of self-control growing and developing in me.
What are you studying today? Someone else’s drama on Facebook? An influencer that you envy? American politics? As you meditate today, reflect on the content you are consuming and how it is making you feel. It may be time to change your study habits.