How Can You Have the Mind of Christ?
But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 (ESV)
Do you struggle with this? Is it possible to think like Jesus? Can our lives be a perfect reflection of how he thinks? Let’s examine it a little.
We could put this statement in one of a few categories to allow ourselves to more easily explain and accept this statement. So what is it?
An Audacious Claim
There is only one Jesus. There is only one Christ. To think we can somehow attain as lofty a goal as having the mind of Christ seems unrealistic but this is in the Bible!
An Aspirational Hope
Maybe we should simply hope that it could happen to us one day. Perhaps if we pray enough and work enough and do all those pious things saints do, we could one day experience it.
A Goal to Work Towards
Goals are important and lofty goals can take us to incredibly high places. The problem with this goal is how we could possibly work towards it. What would we do?
A Reality for a Select Few
Okay, so Paul could say this. Maybe there are only a few select people who could get them mind of Christ. Surely this can’t be for everyone but I know some people who probably have the mind of Christ.
The Mind of Christ – A Present Potential Reality for Every Follower of Jesus
The mind of Christ should give us insight, power, compassion and everything Jesus demonstrated as he walked on this earth. But is it a realistic expectation for us? If we follow Paul’s line of thinking in this passage, we can say a resounding yes!
Here is the entire passage:
These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 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. 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. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
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. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:10–16 (ESV)
From the Scripture
First, we see that the Spirit searches the depths of God – the mind of God. Surely the Spirit of God can see very deep into God, since he is God!
Then, we see that the Spirit of God comprehends the mind of God. Of course, this makes absolute sense.
Next, we see and know that we have received the Spirit of God. This is not some watered-down Spirit but the fullness of the Spirit of God.
So, we can say with complete assurance that we have received the mind of Christ because the Spirit of God is within us. Just as the Spirit of God was in Jesus and we know that there is a mysterious and perfect unity in Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so we can know and say confidently: “We have the mind of Christ.”
What this means for us
We can fully discern the meaning and application of scripture. With the mind of Christ, we begin to experience the power of the word, what it means and how it applies. We are transformed by the truth of God. Remember what Jesus prayed in John 17: “Sanctify them with the truth. Your word is truth.” Having the mind of Christ allows the power of the word to change us!
It also means that we must read his truth and listen for his voice. We must pray and listen for his voice. The Spirit of God is not silent, he will speak to us. The mind of Christ within us is a mind that thinks and interacts with our spirit and mind, opening us up to a whole new spiritual world.
What if you are having trouble hearing or understanding?
Identify the barriers to this experience
Search your life for barriers. If you get a build up of wax in your ears, it’s harder to hear. So we must ensure that we are not getting a build up of spiritual wax. Here are five common barriers:
- Sin. This is the most obvious. If you have ongoing sin in your life, you can’t really have the mind of Christ. Remember, he did not sin.
- Busyness. We can become so busy with life that we don’t pause to hear what we should. When our lives are hectic and overwhelming, it’s not even possible to perceive the normal things of life accurately!
- Unwholesome activities. These things may not necessarily be sinful, but they are not adding to your spiritual health. They are distractions and activities that put you more in touch with the world than with God. Many entertainments fall into this category.
- Attitude of unbelief. If we don’t believe we have the mind of Christ, we probably don’t. Faith is essential to experience all that God wants for us. We must believe. It’s that simple!
- Unwillingness to obey. We can make excuses, can’t we? When the mind of Christ, within tells us we ought to do something and we are hesitant and fearful it sends a message to God that we aren’t truly and fully trusting him.
Destroy the barriers
These barriers keep us from experiencing the mind of Christ. Once we identify them, we must correct them. This requires repentance – a thorough change of mind and action – to be in conformity to the ways of God. He will help us through this process but we must be willing to initiate the changes necessary in our lives. The impetus for obedience is ours; the power for obedience is God’s gracious gift to us!
Do the next thing
Thank God for the gift of the mind of Christ. What a wonderful privilege that is for every follower of Jesus! He has equipped us to experience life to the full.
In giving thanks, you are expressing your faith that the reality of scripture is your reality – you really do have the mind of Christ. Now you can live with the expectation of big and positive changes in your life.
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