The Mind of Christ

But we have Christ’s mind.
What does it mean to have the mind of Christ? Paul claims this for himself and his readers in his first letter to the Corinthian church, but do we understand what it means to have the mind of Christ? Maybe not, and there is a reason. Here’s a little more context:

Chapter 2 begins with Paul’s reminder to the church of how he first came to preach the gospel to them. (vv.1-2) He was a pathetic public speaker, and I am guessing that his sermons may have been hard to follow, (v. 3)but he relied on the Holy Spirit to confirm the word with miracles. (v. 4, see also Mark 16:20, Acts 4:29-33 and 19:11-12)

Paul was content to be overlooked by men as long as they put their trust in the power of God to save them through Jesus Christ. (v.5)

Then Paul explains that God’s wisdom is mysterious (v. 6-9), and must be revealed by the Holy Spirit (v.10). Because the Spirit, who knows the things of God, reveals spiritual things to us, Paul taught spiritual things by the Holy Spirit (v. 11-13). Then he says this:

Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one.“For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 WEB*

Spiritual knowledge is incomprehensible to the natural man, who is unsaved, non-believing, or carnal. Truth is spiritually discerned; those who trust and walk in the Holy Spirit will understand, but must not conform to anyone else. Paul uses Isaiah’s words to remind us that no one can question God’s motives, nor should we.

Then he says it: “But we have Christ’s mind. ”

Seriously? In all my human arrogance and pride, I’d never claim to have the same thoughts as God. God tells us pretty clearly that we can’t think like Him in Isaiah 55:7-9.

What is Paul telling us? What does it require to have Christ’s mind?

Christ’s mind requires the Spirit of God, because the carnal mind chafes against the law of God and the Spirit (Romans 8:6-7). Our minds must be transformed and renewed, not thinking like the world. Paul challenged the Romans to present themselves as living sacrifices, then told them this:

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. Romans 12:2-3 WEB

Renew your mind, think reasonably (or sanely), and not too highly. But reasonable thought (the mind of Christ) requires faith.

Paul also told the Philippians how to think:

Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8 WEB

To have the mind of Christ, you must humble yourself and think obediently. You cannot think like Christ on your own, you must acknowledge that only the Holy Spirit in you can give you His thoughts (John 14:17, 26).

What does the Spirit think about? Paul gave us a clue later in Philippians:

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 WEB

Here’s another clue: the Holy Spirit will always confirm what the Bible says:

However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you. All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you. John 16:13-15 WEB

To renew our mind, we need to fill it with the word of God so the Spirit can align our thinking with His. David wrote his longest Psalm about this idea. Here’s an exerpt:

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:9-11 WEB

Jesus emphasized the importance of His words in our minds:

If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. John 15:7-8 WEB

Paul emphasized the importance of Christ’s words in us directing our actions. He wrote to the Colossians:

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. Colossians 3:16-17

How do you get and keep the mind of Christ? Occupy your heart and thoughts with the Word and the works that edify yourself and others. That will sustain the mind of Christ in you.

Our first book, “Families from the Beginning: Your Family, God’s Design” is available in paperback or Kindle on Amazon. Click here to order your copy.

Follow this link Families from the Beginning, Chapter 1 to see the first chapter.

*All Scripture quotations for this article are from the World English Bible (WEB).