In the fast-moving whirlwind of life, what we focus on fundamentally shapes who we become. The phrase “We become what we behold” has profound spiritual and psychological significance, reminding us that the things we fix our gaze upon—whether good or bad—transform our thoughts, emotions, and ultimately our identity. This truth is especially powerful in the Christian walk and daily life where beholding Jesus changes everything.
The Spiritual Power of Beholding Jesus
Lately, I went to a songwriters retreat that brought together amazing and Spirit-led people from different parts of the country. We were separated into small teams and asked to write songs about seeing. As a result, I saw that beholding a painting is an experience that moves the audience, not just a look at a painting. We do this by setting our minds on Jesus, who finished what He began and by letting His character influence us.
Opposition loves seeing us preoccupied with things like what we look like, how we perform in life and how much comfort we have. Although these things seem appealing, they ultimately don’t make us feel full or happy. The antidote? Fixing our eyes on Christ, who carries our pain, keeps us safe and defines our identity steadily.
Key Scriptures on Beholding God
| Scripture Reference | Key Insight on Beholding |
| Hebrews 12:1-2 | Fix your eyes on Jesus, who gives us endurance and joy |
| Psalm 141:8 | God is our refuge when we keep our eyes on Him |
| Psalm 16:8 | Setting the Lord always before us gives us stability |
Beholding Jesus means looking past the chaos, sin, or distractions and anchoring our hearts on His grace and truth. When we do, we are empowered to lay down heavy burdens and run our race with joy and endurance.
The Psychological Science Behind “We Become What We Behold”
Beyond spiritual insight, modern neuroscience affirms this truth. Our brains develop pathways based on repetitive thoughts and focus. This process, known as neuroplasticity, means the thoughts and images we repeatedly engage with physically shape our brain and influence:
- How we think
- How we feel
- How we behave
Picture brain pathways as deep grooves appearing on a traveled road. Every instance we think a certain thought can strengthen it and make it more complicated to ignore.
That’s the reason why only reading a positive Bible verse each morning might not be enough to replace years of embedded fear or bad thoughts. Even though you trust the Bible on God’s care, you may still experience financial worries due to long-held habits of thinking.
Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8 addresses this:
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
The key word here is dwell — not a quick glance, but a sustained, focused attention that rewires our minds over time.
Why Media and Mental Input Matter
In today’s digital age, this truth is more critical than ever. Images, videos, and social media bombard our minds, shaping what we behold daily. The power of a single image can overwhelm hundreds of words, making it crucial to filter what we consume carefully.
| Positive Mental Input | Negative Mental Input | Impact on Mind and Spirit |
| Scripture, Prayer, Worship | News Overload, Negative Media | Builds faith, peace, resilience |
| Encouraging People and Stories | Gossip, Toxic Relationships | Enhances joy, hope, identity |
| Inspiring Music and Art | Violent or Degrading Content | Promotes spiritual growth, clarity |
Guarding our minds is a biblical principle (Romans 12:2) and a neurological necessity to avoid mental and spiritual harm.
Practical Ways to Practice Beholding and Become Who You Are Called to Be
If you want, you can try these actions in your daily life to keep this truth at the forefront.
1. Always make it a habit to keep looking to Jesus.
Take care to spend some time each morning and night on the Bible and in prayer. Let passages including Hebrews 12:1-2 and Psalm 16:8 help you think about Christ.
2. Mind What You Fill Your Mind With
Pay attention to what you are exposing yourself to through media and news. Spread out the time you spend watching tragic news and spend more time reading articles and watching videos that bring you joy.
3. Use both alerts and visible signs to help you remember.
Put scriptures, affirmations or meaningful art somewhere you will see them all the time. This way, you build up the positive parts of your brain.
4. Join others in Worship and Christian Fellowship
Hang out with people who challenge you to set your mind on Christ during worship, by holding you accountable and encouraging you along the way.
5. Consider the promises God made to you.
Meditation is not only about stress relief; to meditate in the Bible is to work on deeply understanding God’s Word.
6. Strive to express gratitude and give compliments to your friends.
Taking time to give thanks for God’s faithfulness helps you think more positively and forms good habits in your brain.
The Eternal Impact: We Become What We Behold in the Word
The Bible assures us that the Word of God has the power to sanctify and transform us. When we behold Christ through Scripture and faith, we reflect His image more clearly.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
The spiritual journey is about increasingly beholding Jesus until we become more like Him.
Summary of Spiritual and Psychological Insights on “We Become What We Behold”
| Aspect | Explanation | Practical Application |
| Spiritual Beholding | Fixing eyes on Jesus transforms identity | Daily Scripture meditation, worship |
| Neuroscience | Repeated thoughts form brain pathways | Focus on positive, faith-building thoughts |
| Media Influence | Images and words strongly shape mindset | Curate input; avoid harmful content |
| Biblical Command | Dwell on what is true, pure, lovely | Memorize and meditate on Philippians 4:8 |
| Emotional Impact | What we behold affects feelings and actions | Practice gratitude and praise |
| Community Role | Fellowship encourages spiritual focus | Join groups or accountability partners |
| Transformation Goal | Beholding Christ leads to becoming like Him | Trust God’s sanctifying power |
Conclusion: Becoming Who You Behold
The phrase “We become what we behold” is a timeless truth backed by scripture and science. It reminds us that our focus shapes our future. For believers, beholding Jesus isn’t just inspirational; it’s transformational. By consciously fixing our eyes on Him, guarding our minds from negativity, and saturating ourselves in God’s Word, we open the door to spiritual renewal, emotional peace, and a deepened identity rooted in Christ.
In this age of distraction and noise, the challenge is to be deliberate about what we behold. Choose to gaze on the eternal and let it shape who you are becoming.
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