1. Care about the truth.
Some people think that the test of any religion is whether it is practical. For a Christian, it is important that Christianity is true. Christianity depends upon whether Jesus rose from the dead. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then a Christian’s life is wasted, and that person is still dead in sin (1 Cor. 15:17).
2. Admit the possibility of error.
If we can never be wrong, then we put ourselves in a position to never learn. Such people love their own mind rather than loving God with their mind. If we can never be wrong, we have become our own god, which is idolatry. A good thing to do is to remind ourselves of times in which we were wrong in the past and things that we have learned after admitting our error.
3. Think through the evidence and arguments.
When we read Scripture, talk to our non-Christian friends, or read a book, we are engaged in evidence and arguments that either overthrow our beliefs or support them. Instead of seeing all opposing views as harmful, it is better to recognize that they are opportunities to love God with our mind as we take seriously objections to Christian belief, other people’s personal beliefs, or reasons for Christian belief.
4. Be Patient. Avoid being gullible.
A gullible person is easily tricked. If people don’t spend much time thinking through arguments and evidence, they may be tempted to change their mind with every new piece of information. Learning takes patience. Whether studying a new section of Scripture or a non-Christian viewpoint, we need to look at lots of evidence and take time to think through it.
5. Enjoy the process.
Loving God with your mind requires that you love the process of engaging your mind. We must love learning for the sake of loving God better. Of course, a trap is to love learning and never get around to loving God; but an equally dangerous trap is to dislike learning and never come to know and love God.
