Many of us deal with difficult issues on a daily basis. Whether it is problems with our relationships, our children, or our place of employment, difficult issues can be quite mentally taxing. As Christians, we have the advantage of having the Holy Spirit in us to provide direction and peace of mind in difficult times. However, there is something about having the Holy Spirit in us that most believers do not realize. When we have the Holy Spirit in us, we have the ability to have the mind of Christ. Therefore it is necessary to understand why the mind of Christ is important to believers.
What is the mind of Christ?
The mind of Christ refers to thinking in a way that is consistent with how Jesus thinks. This is sometimes reflected in the phrase. WWJD – What would Jesus do? This refers to the process of thinking how Jesus might act in a given situation and doing it. This requires the person that is considering this to be able to think like Jesus or have the mind of Christ to accomplish this.
How do we get the mind of Christ?
The Bible teaches us that for us to have the mind of Christ, we must first trust Christ as our Savior so that we have the Holy Spirit in us who will give us the ability to have the wisdom and understanding of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9-23). If we do not have the Holy Spirit in us, then we cannot have the mind of Christ needed to discern and understand the things of God as follows:
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:9-16. Emphasis added)
Once we receive the Holy Spirit, it is important to devote time each day to studying God’s Word and prayer. Likewise, we must have regular times each week when we worship and spend time with other believers that are seeking to have a close relationship with Christ. Also, we must separate ourselves away from things that would reinforce thinking that is not in keeping with the Bible.
This is because the more time we spend learning and becoming familiar with a way of thinking and living, the more we will change to that way of thinking and acting. If we spend most of our time exposed to ungodly teaching and thinking, our behaviors will change to reflect the ungodly teaching that we have learned (Romans 1:18-32). Likewise, the more time we spend exposed to Godly teaching and thinking, the more we will change to be Godly. When we change to be Godly, we change to become more like Christ. This is referred to in the Bible as being changed into His image as follows:
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
What does having the mind of Christ do for the believer?
As we just read in 1 Corinthians 2:9-16, when we receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation we have the ability to understand and know the deep things of God. This gives us the ability to see things the way Jesus sees them. We can love others like Jesus loves others. Finally, we can approach death the way Jesus approached death, confident that God will never leave us or forsake us and will bring about the greatest change and peace of mind ever promised as follows:
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
Conclusion
Many of us deal with difficult issues on a daily basis. As Christians, we have the advantage of having the Holy Spirit in us to provide direction and peace of mind in difficult times by having the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ refers to thinking in a way that is consistent with how Jesus thinks. The Bible teaches us that we must first trust Christ as our Savior to receive the Holy Spirit who enables us to have the mind of Christ. Having the mind of Christ gives the ability to understand and know the deep things of God, which will help us have victory in our life and have confidence that God will give us the ability to approach death the way Jesus did.
Take a look at these things about Jesus: 10 Character Traits of Jesus to Emulate
Resources – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, King James Version
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