Déjà vu isn’t referenced in scripture, but it is intertwined with the broader theme of thoughts and the mental processes of generating ideas, beliefs, perceptions, and emotions within the mind. Thoughts can be conscious or unconscious, deliberate or spontaneous, and they play a central role in shaping our perceptions, behaviors, and experiences. God’s amazing creation of the human brain, unmatched in its complexity and capabilities, orchestrates every aspect of our existence with unparalleled sophistication and efficiency. Within its intricate network of neurons and synapses lies the enigma of déjà, which continues to baffle scientists despite extensive research. The term déjà, which originates from the French, meaning "already seen,” refers to the illusion of remembering an event or scene, even though it is occurring for the first time. Though experienced by many, there is no clear explanation medically or psychologically.
What Place, if Any, Does Déjà vu Have in Christianity?
God’s amazing creation of the human brain, unmatched in its complexity and capabilities, orchestrates every aspect of our existence with unparalleled sophistication and efficiency. Within its intricate network of neurons and synapses lies the enigma of déjà, which continues to baffle scientists despite extensive research. The human brain is a marvel of biological engineering. It boasts an intricate network of approximately 86 billion neurons, each forming connections with thousands of other neurons through synapses. This staggering complexity allows the brain to perform an astonishing array of functions, from basic tasks like regulating heart rate and breathing to complex cognitive processes such as language comprehension, problem-solving, and creative expression. Moreover, the brain possesses remarkable plasticity, enabling it to adapt and rewire itself.
According to mental health experts and psychologists, about 70% of our thoughts have negative connotations. This negative mental chatter causes stress-related thought processes contributing to up to 70-90% of primary care physician visits. Expert pathologist and neuroscientist, Dr. Carolyn Leaf in her book, Switch On Your Brain, says this about the brain’s plasticity. “Our choices—the natural consequences of our thoughts and imagination—get ‘under the skin’ of our DNA and can turn certain genes on and off, changing the structure of the neurons in our brains. So our thoughts, imagination, and choices can change the structure and function of our brains on every level.”
In the Old Testament story of Cain and Abel, we find God’s guidance regarding the danger of negative runaway thoughts that can seize control and act as a welcome mat to the enemy of our soul. God cautioned Cain to be mindful of his thoughts, warning him, “If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). As Dr. Leaf says: “If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought. When thoughts abruptly penetrate your mind like arrows, or when you find yourself pondering, 'Where did that come from?'—the reassuring truth is that thoughts are within our control, though it's not always simple. We have the option to 'rule over' our thoughts, much like guiding a horse with reins or steering a ship's rudder, directing them to the proper course. Conversely, we may permit them to dictate our actions, as Cain did, allowing anger to drive him to commit murder."
Despite the diverse array of thoughts humans encounter—temptations, fear, stress, or joy—whether perplexing, fleeting, or troubling, we possess the power to shape the outcome. Our response is a matter of choice. Furthermore, we are not alone in this struggle. We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, who provides assistance and guidance.
What Role Does the Holy Spirit Play in Our Thought Lives?
“For He lives with you and will be in you (John 14:17) and “will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13).
When fearful, strange, confusing, or eerie moments try to take up space in our minds, we can rewire negative thoughts with healthy, confident new ones, especially with the help of the Holy Spirit. We are told to “think” on these things from Philippians 4:8:
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
As God’s child, we have access to the Holy Spirit’s power to captivate our thoughts. We “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Romans 8:9 affirms, “Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Our minds influence our actions and behaviors based on our choices. Through deliberate effort, we can conquer negative and wrongful thoughts that might otherwise lead us astray. By nurturing the soil of our minds with God's Word, we cultivate an environment where troublesome thoughts are replaced with the abundant fruits of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). By yielding to the Holy Spirit's guidance and making righteous decisions, we witness the fruits of His presence evident in our thoughts and actions. In doing so, we draw nearer to embodying Jesus' likeness, striving toward “having the mind of Christ.”
How Does the 'Mind of Christ' Help Us Manage 'Déjà vu' Thoughts?
“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16
As we become filled with God’s purposes and desires, our minds gradually mirror His own. Like a child expressing to their father, 'I want to be just like you when I grow up,' this becomes the aspiration of God's children. The outcomes of these thoughts honor God and reflect His image as we embrace the truth that 'we have the mind of Christ.' Consequently, as children of God, we increasingly resemble our heavenly Father. We begin to think as He thinks, love as He loves, and care for others as He does.
With the assistance and guidance of the Holy Spirit and by mirroring God’s image in our thought patterns, we cultivate positive thinking habits. In doing so, we transcend mere conquerors (Romans 8:38), take captive every thought (2 Corinthians 5:10), draw strength from the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:10), and harness the power of God’s Word (Hebrews 4:12)!
When faced with troubling, fearful, or confusing thoughts, remember the significance and benefits of being a believer who walks in the Holy Spirit’s guidance, allowing for continual growth and transformation. And we are conquering more than human judgments and choices; we are becoming like-minded with Jesus. “The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 1 15). As believers, the conscious decision to exercise dominion over our thoughts, facilitated by the illuminating guidance of the Holy Spirit, fosters the development of Christ-like thinking patterns within our minds. This transformative, renewing process empowers us with God’s prevailing strength to reject disconcerting thoughts and affirmatively align ourselves with His divine, virtuous, and flawless intentions, His “good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Proverb 23:7 (NKJV) defines us: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” So to keep our thoughts God-honoring, we can pray as David did: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23, 24). We can overcome and choose to do the right things, think the right thoughts, and take captive any stray thoughts that would lead in the wrong direction. Caroline Leaf advises, “The process of thinking and choosing is the most powerful thing in the universe after God, and it is a phenomenal gift from God to be treasured and used properly."
Regardless of the source of our thoughts—whether good, evil or the result of brain function—governing our thoughts with a focus on honoring God will provide the assurance of “dwelling in the shelter of the Most High” and abiding “in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). When negative thoughts attempt to infiltrate our mental realm, we can take comfort in God’s creation of our extraordinary and adaptable brain, which exhibits remarkable plasticity, enabling rewiring and renewal. Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance and the cultivation of Christ-like decision-making, our thoughts will steer us not toward fear or timidity but rather toward a disposition characterized by power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Jirapong Manustrong via Canva Pro
