The Mind of Christ

Why is it so important to have the mind of Christ? and is it even possible?

I have heard so many people say things like having the mind of Christ is impossible. What does this mean anyway? and why is this so important?

Isaiah 40:13 (ESV)  “Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel?“

1 Corinthians 2:11-16 (ESV)  “For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  (12)  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.  (13)  And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.  (14)  The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.  (15)  The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.  (16)  “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

To have the mind of Christ is to have the mindset of Christ. A mindset is a set of beliefs, attitudes, and opinions of the world around us. This mindset is how we make decisions and which is what influences our feelings and behavior.

Therefore, wouldn’t it make sense to have the mindset of Christ rather than our fleshly mindset?

Romans 12:2 (ESV) “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Romans 12:2 (TPT) “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”

Philippians 2:5 (KJV)  “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

Philippians 2:5 (TPT)  “And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation.”

Romans 8:6 (TPT)  “For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.”

To have the mind of Christ is to have Godly wisdom and perspective as well as His character.

Before we can have the mind of Christ, we need to be born again. To be born of the Spirit and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. It is only then that we have the ability to renew our minds. We must renew our minds daily by reading and studying the Bible, which is the Word of God. But not only reading and studying but applying what the Word says. It’s like taking a bath and not using soap and deliberately washing the dirt off.

To have the mind of Christ is to love God and others more than self and to serve others. It is also to be spiritually discerning. To be spiritually discerning is to understand spiritual things that are beyond what our human reasoning can comprehend. And to know the difference between truth and error or good and evil. In the natural, these things can become blurred. 

We have to be intentional about what we allow ourselves to watch or listen to and even read. I was told by someone many years ago, just because it is in black and white doesn’t mean it is true. That can be said about all things now. It is so important to read the Scriptures for ourselves, study them, and learn them. Even if we don’t understand something, keep reading and studying it. When the time comes, the Holy Spirit will bring it back to our remembrance. If its inside of us, he can use it.

Proverbs 23:7 (ASV) “For as he thinketh within himself, so is he …”

To be continued …