And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
--Genesis 1:28
The human mind is one of the most incredible parts of God’s handiwork in creation. The animals have a certain level of mental capacity, but none can compare to human beings. The difference is clearly stated in the first chapter of Genesis.
God gave humans dominion and power over all the animals of the earth. There are some animals we call smart, but they can only be trained, they don’t necessarily learn. Being taught an idea or a concept is unique to human beings because God gave us a unique mind that gives us self-consciousness and God-consciousness.
God gave us the ability to think and be creative. We can play beautiful music, write a great story, paint a picture, and build a magnificent skyscraper. God does give animals many internal instincts, such as a beaver’s ability to build a dam, and a bird’s ability to build a nest. But animals don’t have the desire for growth and learning.
What’s even more amazing to me about the human mind is that we are told we only use about 10% of our brain capacity. Think of the potential God has given us to think and act and respond to Him. What a challenge to us to maximize the mind God has given us.
Your hopes, joys, and desires are all things God has given you the ability to develop and pursue. Do you have a dream or a goal that you believe is from the Lord, and will glorify Him? Go for it with all that you have!
Maximize your potential to think, respond, and live for God.
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
Ephesians 4:25–28
Archimedes was one of the greatest mathematicians and scientists of the ancient world. Many of his discoveries and principles are still in use today even after thousands of years. Archimedes focused much of his effort on discoveries related to improving the way people work. He developed new pulley systems to move heavy objects, a screw system to raise water uphill, and weapons to defend his home city of Syracuse. One of his most famous insights related to working with levers and their power. Archimedes said, “Give me a place to stand on, and I will move the Earth.” Simply put, though a lever offers great increase in strength to move objects, it will not work unless the person using it has a place for his feet.
When Paul warns us not to give the devil room to work in our lives, he is speaking of a similar concept. When we do not immediately fight and resist temptation, we are allowing the devil room to operate in our lives, and he will take full advantage of it. The horrible sin that characterized the end of Lot’s life began with what seemed like a very small decision. “Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12). The reality is that Satan needs very little room to operate in our lives and destroy our testimony and effectiveness for God’s service. We must not give him a place to stand.
Today’s Growth Principle:
Giving the devil even one inch is too much, and left unchecked will lead to destruction.
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