“Brain training” is a multi-million dollar industry. These activities are intensive computerized training exercises designed to improve your cognitive ability — to grow your brain.
In a recent issue of Nature, researchers recruited more than 11,000 participants and divided them into different study groups. These groups had “brain training” several times each week on tasks that were supposed to improve reasoning, memory, planning, eye-hand coordination and attention span. Each participant was tested on basic mental function before and after the six weeks of training.
Although there were noticeable improvements in the tasks for which people were trained, there was absolutely NO transfer effect to other activities — even things very similar to the tasks for which they trained.
The conclusion? Brain games help you do brain games better, but they don’t make you wise. A long time ago, the 19th century health writer Ellen White wrote:
“There is nothing more calculated to energize the mind and strengthen the intellect than the study of the Word of God. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God’s Word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose that are rarely seen in these times.” A Call to Stand Apart, p. 69
Wisdom and memory skills come directly from God and from studying the Bible. Check out these texts on the true source of wisdom and cognitive skill:
“The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD; so what wisdom do they have?” Jeremiah 8:9
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple…” Psalm 19:7
“You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me.” Psalm 119:98
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
“And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5