The Mind of Christ

Many people wander through the daily grind without giving thought to God, many of whom would call themselves believers. It is, in fact, very easy to be consumed by the responsibilities of life, whether it be projects, deadlines or other demands. There is always something that is loud enough in our lives that we will grant our undivided attention to, and honestly, that is what the life of a responsible adult often consists of.

Of all the different avenues we dedicate ourselves to, most people don't miss an opportunity to open their mouth and complain about their life. Some people certainly have endured, waded through some very unfortunate events or seem to be plagued with what is coined as "bad luck." Others have had failing health, been completely wronged or been at the wrong place at the wrong time. These situations in life take place daily in the world we live in, and there are some innocent people who have every right to complain, groan and gripe about their situation--if we see things through an earthly mind that is.

In I Corinthians and in Philippians, Paul writes that we have the mind of Christ. Meaning that we can forsake our finite mind and begin to align our thoughts with those of Jesus himself. When we experience something, good or bad, we have the option to view it in the natural or in the supernatural.

When we witness someone who is continuously doing wrong, hurting others or making a lifestyle of blatantly evil choices, we are totally justified to condemn it, come against it or call it out publicly, right? Maybe so. But what if we operated with the mind of Christ? We could see that someone as Jesus does, someone who is likely oppressed or tormented by a demonic influence. We could discern the root of the issue and begin to intercede on their behalf. We could be a positive voice--if they allow it of coarse, or influence them by showing the love of Jesus. Or pray from afar, thinking His thoughts and declaring and decreeing His will for their life. 

Not every situation is going to be that easy or obvious, but that is why if we begin to develop our minds to pattern our thoughts after His, we can more easily discern what His thoughts are. This comes down to our prayer lifestyle and habits, and what we allow to enter our minds through our eyes and ears. To have His mind means to keep a clean mind as well.

How much time have you logged in prayer? Have you ever advanced from the first stage of prayer? Or do you present your wish list and get back to life? If we are to activate the mind of Christ we must search the mind of Christ.


"On His law he meditates day and night"
                                                      -Psalm 1:2

Worship Him, lift Him up and praise Him. We are to enter His courts with thanksgiving. Get your faith stirred up. Meditate on Him and His presence will become palpable.

The next level in prayer is when you stop talking and quietly wait for Him. Prayer needs to be more focused on His talking than ours. Intimate prayer is achieved when you silence yourself and listen intently. If His thoughts are to become your thoughts, then you must become quiet so that He can become louder. We decrease so He can Increase. This may take some time, especially if you have never been in this place with Him. God always honors sacrifice, so sacrifice your time in communion with Him and He will meet you there. Do not assume that 30 minutes is a sacrifice either. Be so hungry that you will press in to Him without worrying about time.

Once you learn to think His thoughts and see things from His vision your actions and language will change to reflect His. Your previous judgments of others will transform into compassion. Instead of seeing them with worldly eyes, you will see them as hurting people and/or lost souls. That is when your prayers can really be effective in their life. When you see what Jesus sees and think what He thinks, you will pray His will for them. You will speak His language over them. This will also apply to your own life as well.

By seeing your own situation with the mind of Christ, you will speak His language over yourself and in your circumstances. Where you once saw lack, you will now offer thanksgiving. Despair will become joy. He offers us the peace that surpasses all understanding--that is, understanding in your earthly mind. We already know that His thoughts for us and not against us. They are to prosper us and to give us a hope and a future. And if the power of life and death is in the tongue, then our lives will manifest His thoughts if we speak them. For when you have the mind of Christ, you can see that although your natural resources may be empty, you will rejoice for the joy of the Lord is your strength, He is your provider and the ever present help.

The answer to all breakthrough will always originate with time in the Word and time in His presence. We must think like Jesus, and the only way to know His thoughts is to ask and listen. He is faithful, and if you will sacrifice the time, you will  hear him. You will find your secret place with Him, and He is always happy to meet you there.