Having the Mind of Christ

The Apostle Paul writes:

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).

How can a mortal man possess the mind of Christ? It’s helpful to read the context of this verse: 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).

The mind of Christ is discerned when we have the Spirit of God—the Holy Spirit—living and working in us. Without Him, we couldn’t receive nor discern God’s thinking. I love verse 12 (above) where it says, we have received . . . the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. God actually wants us to know how He thinks!

Look how many times this passage speaks about people’s minds and Jesus’ mind: Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:2-7).

God says, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

So, how can we do this? How can we begin to understand how God thinks?

1. Receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and He will give you the Holy Spirit.

• Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13).

2. Walk in the Spirit.

• This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). This means following the Holy Spirit’s guidance daily. Instead of going after pleasures (the flesh), we desire to please God.
• For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

3. Know the Word of God, the Bible.

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).
• The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple (Psalm 119:130).
• And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth (Acts 22:14).

4. Depend on God for understanding.

• David gave this advice to Solomon: Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God (1 Chronicles 22:12).
• For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). 
• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).
• And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:27).
• Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things (2 Timothy 2:7).

5. Pray for understanding.

• For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9).
• If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5).

6. Stay away from the world’s value system, and let God transform your mind.

• And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).
• That ye put off concerning the former conversation (lifestyle) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).
• Seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him (Colossians 3:9b-10).

7. Focus your mind on what God wants you to.

• Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

8. Cultivate a thankful heart.

• Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).
• In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

9. Choose joy.

• Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice (Philippians 4:4).

Let’s learn the mind of Christ!

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5).