Using Cognitive Functions To Glorify God (In Medicine And In Life)

God created us to experience reality through different modes of cognition that can be understood as:

Cognitive functions for perceiving reality:

Ni/Introverted Intuition - Broad & plethoric perception of internal world.

Ne/Extraverted Intuition - Broad & plethoric perception of external world.

Si/Introverted Sensing - Specific and concrete perception of internal world.

Se/Extraverted Sensing - Specific and concrete perception of external world.

Cognitive functions for judging reality:

Fi/Introverted Feeling - Subjective codec; internal emotional data & harmony.

Fe/Extraverted Feeling - Subjective codec; external emotional data & harmony.

Ti/Introverted Thinking - Objective codec; internal logical order.

Te/Extraverted Thinking - Objective codec; external logical order.

Furthermore, He has created us with unique personalities that are based on the above 8 modes of cognition functions, so depending on the "type" of personality you have, you will be stronger or more confident about using certain functions over others.

Nevertheless, every personality type is fully capable of using the above 8 functions to glorify God. Here's how we can use our cognitive functions to deepen our relationship with Him:

Being Aware of God:

Se (extravert sensing) = perceiving God through external concrete awareness

Example: experiencing God's presence in reality by seeing the opportunities He presents for us to address our patients' immediate needs

Psalm 19:1- The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Si (introvert sensing) = perceiving God through internal concrete awareness

Example: recalling biblical standards to love one another when handling difficult patients under our care, or colleagues who demand us to adhere to difficult standards

Matthew 22:37-40- And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Ne (extravert intuition) = perceiving God through external abstract awareness

Example: seeing different options God has given us by seeking His guidance to brainstorm possible differential diagnoses and/or different unconventional, theoretical treatment options

Jeremiah 33:3- Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Ni (introvert intuition) = perceiving God through internal abstract awareness

Example: being certain in the goodness of the potential future God desires to bring when we commit to a treatment plan for our patients and/or a study plan for ourselves, trusting He can help us bring forth the future vision He calls us to aim for

Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Responding to God:

Te (extravert thinking) = responding to God by seeking external logical order

Example: doing productive work to bring God glory, being productive in the hospital and in our study habits so that we can achieve the results God desires

1 Corinthians 15:58- Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Ti (introvert thinking) = responding to God by seeking internal logical order

Example: seeking understanding from God to understand the physiology behind God's creation of our bodies, and seeking His wisdom on how we are to best use that understanding to be the doctors He calls us to be

James 1:5- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Fe (extravert feeling) = responding to God by seeking external emotional order

Example: living in harmony with others to influence them to love God, being uplifting and kind when connecting with patients and/or colleagues so that they can also see and love the kindness of God and His good will for their health

Psalm 133:1- Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Fi (introvert feeling) = responding to God by seeking internal emotional order

Example: cultivating authentic happiness for God, embracing the joy and peace that comes from God's love so that we ourselves can be filled with eagerness and passion to do the work He calls us to do as doctors

Isaiah 61:10- I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels

---

*NOTE: the state of feeling passion and value for God is NOT solely tied to Fi, as the authentic internal experience of love, passion, and value for Him is meant to be experienced through ALL 8 cognitive functions: we can experience authentic inner love for Him when we become aware of His presence and when we responsively serve Him.

Additionally, there's also the part about spiritual discernment being its entirely separate process. This is what makes many people of the same type so different from one another: they may share the same cognitive functions, but their CHOICES will make each person manifest differently in their own unique ways. The choices one can make with how they want to use the same function framework has much to do with their own unique spiritual innerworkings.

So even though some functions, such as feeling functions, may be required to discern goodness, the spirit is required for CHOOSING to agree with what the feelings discerned (eg, choosing to ignore a negative emotional response toward someone you're biased against but they didn't do anything wrong; choosing to agree with a negative emotional response toward someone who is truly being unjust).

All that to say that there is a difference between making a discernment (cognitive) and then choosing to agree with that discernment (spiritual). And it's essential that the spiritual side is addressed first, so that the cognitive stuff can be resolved (NOT the other way around). Because transformation occurs, NOT by pushing ourselves to do mental gymnastics to figure God out, but by surrendering our spirits and letting God's Spirit renew our minds (Romans 12:2).

---

For a list of the cognitive function framework of each personality type, check out https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fcaYtSu7H6-qi5KBBqr2juL4WhV0BjItqzn5SeZftlM/edit?usp=sharing

(keep in mind: every personality type is fully capable of using the above 8 functions to glorify God, regardless of which ones are a strength or weakness for each type!)

---

Helpful sources:

The Pursuit of Self-Realization | Pastor Tony Chung | Jubilee Seoul - YouTube - Jubilee Church sermon

The Pursuit Of Health | Sam Lopez | Hillsong California - YouTube - Hillsong Church Sermon

Doctors for Christ - YouTube