27/04/2026
The following ten affirmations are drawn directly from the Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery in my new book . I wanted to bring them to your attention again, or introduce them to you if you haven’t read the book yet.
Each one of the following statements should remind you of the kind of person you’re becoming. One who’s not stuck. One who doesn’t settle. One who doesn’t let their brain boss them around.
Self-Brain Surgeons™ relentlessly refuse to participate in their own demise. Neuroscience: We do not commit malpractice against ourselves. We reject self-sabotaging thoughts and habits. We interrupt our default-mode network so it stops ruminating on harmful neural pathways. We do this to prevent chronic stress hormones from damaging our brains. We direct our neuroplasticity toward resilience instead.
Supporting Scripture: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Self-Brain Surgeons™ believe that feelings are not facts, they are chemical events in the brain.
Neuroscience: Emotions are transient neurochemical signals in the limbic system; the mind can observe and regulate them through top-down prefrontal control without being hijacked.
Supporting Scripture: “…do not be anxious about anything… but let your requests be made known to God… think about these things” (true, noble, right…). Philippians 4:6-8 (ESV)
Self-Brain Surgeons™ believe most of their automatic thoughts are untrue, and we biopsy them accordingly.
Neuroscience: Up to 80% of automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) are cognitive distortions; a quick thought biopsy followed by replacement leverages neuroplasticity to rewire default patterns into healthier ones.
Supporting Scripture: “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
Self-Brain Surgeons™ believe their mind is in charge of their brain and operate accordingly.
Neuroscience: We use the God-given gift of directed attention, because we know that our minds exert top-down control over our brains. We wield this power to literally reshape our brains and even exert epigenetic control over the expression of our genes. This gives us hope that our decisions help not only us, but our generations and others as well.
Supporting Scripture: “…be renewed in the spirit of your minds.” Ephesians 4:23 (ESV)
Self-Brain Surgeons™ believe self-brain surgery is the literal mechanism that transforms their life.
Neuroscience: Repeated intentional thoughts physically alter brain structure faster and more effectively than many medications, turning the mind into its own operating room.
Supporting Scripture: “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” Romans 12:2 (ESV) is the mind-side of this, but Romans 12:1 is the brain side: “Present your bodies as… an act of worship.” (My paraphrase of Romans 12:1- your brain is part of your body). God has given you a mechanism of presenting your brain to him and his designed process of shaping you into a new person, and doing so is an act of worship!
Self-Brain Surgeons™ love tomorrow more than they hate how they feel right now.
Neuroscience: Future-oriented hopeful thinking activates dopamine reward circuits and strengthens prefrontal cortex regulation, building long-term resilience over momentary discomfort.
Supporting Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
Self-Brain Surgeons™ stop making an operation out of everything.
Neuroscience: We understand that overcomplicating things or ruminating on worst-case scenarios harms our brains and bodies. We take this seriously, and strive to accurately but positively use our minds to reshape our brains in ways that help us avoid chronic stress and overwhelm, trusting the system to help us get better.
Supporting Scripture: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:34 (ESV) and Isaiah 30:15, “In quietness and trust is your strength.”
Self-Brain Surgeons™ refuse to perpetuate or start harmful generational thought or behavioral patterns.
Neuroscience: Changing personal neural habits can shift epigenetic expression and model new pathways for the next generation, breaking inherited stress-response wiring.
Supporting Scripture: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Self-Brain Surgeons™ believe they are getting better at what they are doing every day.
Neuroscience: Consistent practice of self-brain surgery techniques produces more efficient neural circuits, turning new skills into automatic healthy responses.
Supporting Scripture: “…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (ESV)
Self-Brain Surgeons™ understand that thoughts become things and choose them wisely.
Neuroscience: Focused attention and repetition physically reshape the brain through Hebb’s law (“neurons that fire together wire together”), turning thoughts into structural reality.
Supporting Scripture: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
Question: Which commandment is your favorite, or which one have you found to be the most useful in your life? Why? Tell us in the comments!
A good day to remind you of the Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery™
