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Having the Mind of Christ – Viral Believer
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Having the Mind of Christ

Introduction

As Christians, we are called to have the mind of Christ. This means that we are to think and act as He did, to be in tune with His thoughts and desires. This is no small feat, but it is crucial to our growth and development as believers.

In this blog post, we will explore what it means to have the mind of Christ, why it is important, and how we can cultivate it in our daily lives.

What does it mean to have the mind of Christ?

The idea of having the mind of Christ is rooted in the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 2:16, Paul writes, “For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” This verse tells us that we, as believers, have access to the mind of Christ. But what does that mean?

To have the mind of Christ means that we have His perspective on life, that we see things as He sees them. We have His wisdom, His love, and His compassion. It means that we are in tune with His will and seek to carry it out in our lives.

Having the mind of Christ also means that we are able to discern between right and wrong and make decisions accordingly. It is a way of living that is marked by humility, grace, and obedience.

Jesus, Himself, showed the way of having the mind of Christ.

In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul writes,

“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. 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.”

We can see that having the mind of Christ involves following His example of humility, servanthood, and obedience.

Why is it important to have the mind of Christ?

Having the mind of Christ is crucial for our growth and development as believers. It allows us to see the world and ourselves as God sees them, and to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

When we have the mind of Christ, we are able to discern between truth and lies, and to make decisions that align with His will. We are able to love others as He loves them, and to show them the grace and mercy that He has shown us.

Furthermore, having the mind of Christ is important because it protects us from the lies and deception of the enemy.

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

The enemy is constantly trying to deceive us and lead us astray, but when we have the mind of Christ, we are able to see through his lies and resist his attacks.

How can we cultivate the mind of Christ?

Cultivating the mind of Christ is not something that happens overnight. It is a lifelong process that requires intentionality and discipline. Here are a few ways that we can cultivate the mind of Christ in our daily lives:

1. Spend time in prayer and the Word.

Prayer and the Word are crucial to our spiritual growth and development. When we spend time in prayer and the Word, we are able to hear from God and to align our thoughts and desires with His. We are able to discern His will for our lives and to make decisions accordingly.

As we meditate on His Word, we begin to see the world and ourselves as He sees them, and we are able to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

2. Surround ourselves with other believers.

We were not meant to live the Christian life alone. God designed us to live in community with one another, to encourage and build each other up.

When we surround ourselves with other believers, we are able to learn from one another and to grow together in our faith. We are able to hold each other accountable and to support one another through the ups and downs of life.

3. Practice humility and obedience.

Humility and obedience are key components of having the mind of Christ. Jesus Himself demonstrated these qualities throughout His life on earth, and we are called to do the same. When we practice humility, we are able to acknowledge that we are not in control and that God’s ways are higher than our own.

When we practice obedience, we are able to align our will with His and to carry out His plan for our lives. These qualities require us to set aside our own desires and to trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness.

4. Serve others.

Serving others is a practical way to cultivate the mind of Christ. Jesus Himself came to serve, not to be served, and He calls us to do the same. When we serve others, we are able to demonstrate His love and compassion, and to put the needs of others before our own.

We are able to see the world through His eyes and to show others the grace and mercy that He has shown us.

5. Renew our minds daily.

Finally, we must make a conscious effort to renew our minds daily. In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, “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.”

The world is constantly bombarding us with messages that are contrary to God’s Word, and we must make a conscious effort to renew our minds with His truth. We can do this by meditating on His Word, praying, and surrounding ourselves with other believers who will encourage and support us in our walk with Him.

Benefits of having the mind of Christ

Having the mind of Christ has many benefits that extend beyond our personal growth and development. When we have the mind of Christ, we are able to live in a way that impacts others for His kingdom. Here are a few benefits of having the mind of Christ:

1. We are able to love others unconditionally.

When we have the mind of Christ, we are able to love others as He loves them, unconditionally and without reservation. We are able to see beyond their faults and weaknesses and to show them the grace and mercy that He has shown us.

This kind of love is transformative and has the power to bring healing and restoration to broken relationships.

2. We are able to make a difference in the world.

When we have the mind of Christ, we are able to make a difference in the world around us. We are able to see the needs of others and to take action to meet those needs.

We are able to bring hope to the hopeless, comfort to the hurting, and light to the darkness. We are able to be a beacon of hope in a world that is desperate for it.

3. We are able to bring glory to God.

Ultimately, having the mind of Christ allows us to bring glory to God. When we live in a way that is pleasing to Him, we are able to demonstrate His goodness and faithfulness to the world around us.

We are able to point others to Him and to share His love and grace with those who do not yet know Him. We are able to be vessels for His kingdom, and to bring honor and glory to His name.

Challenges to having the mind of Christ

While having the mind of Christ has many benefits, it is not without its challenges. The world we live in is full of distractions and temptations that can pull us away from living in a way that is pleasing to God. Here are a few challenges that we may face when striving to have the mind of Christ:

1. The temptation to conform to the world.

The world we live in is constantly telling us to conform to its ways, to seek after wealth, power, and success. It can be tempting to fall into the trap of seeking after these things instead of seeking after God’s will for our lives.

When we have the mind of Christ, we must resist the temptation to conform to the world and instead seek to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

2. The challenge of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a key component of having the mind of Christ, but it is not always easy. It can be difficult to forgive those who have hurt us, especially when the hurt is deep and long-lasting.

When we have the mind of Christ, we must be willing to forgive as He has forgiven us, and to extend grace and mercy to those who have wronged us.

3. The challenge of living a selfless life.

Having the mind of Christ requires us to live a selfless life, putting the needs of others before our own. This can be difficult in a world that tells us to look out for ourselves first and foremost. When we have the mind of Christ, we must be willing to lay down our own desires and to seek the good of others above our own.

Conclusion

Having the mind of Christ is not an easy task, but it is crucial to our growth and development as believers. When we have the mind of Christ, we are able to see the world and ourselves as God sees them, and to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

We are able to discern between truth and lies, and to make decisions that align with His will. We are able to love others as He loves them, and to show them the grace and mercy that He has shown us.

To cultivate the mind of Christ, we must spend time in prayer and the Word, surround ourselves with other believers, practice humility and obedience, serve others, and renew our minds daily. These are not easy tasks, but they are essential to our spiritual growth and development.

As we strive to have the mind of Christ, let us remember His words in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” May we abide in Him and bear much fruit for His glory.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.