Today my brain hurts from reading so many scholarly books and journal articles for my theology classes. Last week, I read an article about how exercising your brain keeps you young. If I keep this up, I may live forever.
I’ve always known that a seminary is a dangerous place for one's spiritual vitality. The intellectual study of the Bible can dull an otherwise devoted lover of the Living Word. I am convinced that the road to heaven is strewn with those who have fallen by the sword of intellectualism, having ended up spiritually bankrupt because they failed to “watch over their heart with all diligence” (Prov. 4:23).
To the Hebrew reader, the "heart" was considered the seat of the will and thought—but much more than just thoughts and intellect. The heart is the whole "inner-life"—our thought-life, desires, affections, values, motivations, and choices. Emphasizing this, Jesus said: “a good person produces good deeds from a good heart” (Luke 6:45). Therefore, it behooves us to make sure that studying and reflecting on the Word of God has not become just a mental work-out, but a heartfelt discipline of love.
My thoughts exactly! Good post, Greg.
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