The Mind of Christ

Mind of God

Christians constantly must put off the old man and put on the new man to live a pleasing life as a child of God. Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” As stated, Christians should be renewing their minds according to God’s Word.

Renewing the Mind

A believer’s mind should meditate on Spiritual things, not temporal worldly things. Romans 12:2 declares, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Believers can have a renewed mind by dwelling upon Scripture. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” We are sanctified through God’s Word cause His Word is truth (John 17:17).

What is the mind of Christ?

A good place to go to discover the mind of Christ is the book of Philippians. First, the mind of Christ is a mind of Unity. Christians are to be likeminded considering that we are both children of God and heirs with Christ. We (Believers) should be of one mind, a mind united in Christ, and our thoughts should align with Christ.

“...fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:2-4

Humility

Second, humility is the foundation of the mind of Christ. Christ denied the pleasures of Heaven to help and save a hurting and sinful world. Even though Christ is God and deserves to be worshiped and exalted, He chose to relate to the lowest people. Lowly shepherds got to witness the joy of our Savior's birth in a manger. Additionally, Jesus became the Savior even of the lowest of people the woman at the well (John 4). Jesus loved men, women, Samaritans, children, and even the worst of sinners all the same.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:5-7

Humble Servant

Christ did not come to be served by others but to serve others (Matthew 20:28). Christ’s compassion reached out to everyone. He healed the blind, lame, mute, and deaf. He fed the hungry. Most Importantly, He came to fix the human spiritual problem of sin and even gave up His life to fulfill it. God rightly exalted Christ and He deserves our honor and glory.

"And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:8-11

Develop the mind of Christ

Paul warns believers not to be like the world who set their minds on earthly things and are heading for destruction (Philippians 3:18-20). Our destiny is the glory of Heaven so our lives should be marked by joy and hope in God. Philippians 4:6-7 claims that we, as Christians, should turn our anxious thoughts into prayer, worries into what we are thankful for, and the peace of God “will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7b).”

Christ-like thoughts from Philippians 4:8

1. True

2. Noble

3. Right

4. Pure

5. Lovely

6. Admirable

7. Anything is excellent or praiseworthy