1 Corinthians 2:16 16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Define Mind - 1. The intellectual or intelligent power in man; the understanding; the power that conceives, judges or reasons.
Basically, the mind is how someone thinks. The mind can and must be trained to think like Christ. Our mind is renewed through the Word of God as we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ! So, how did Christ think? Like a Son!
We learn sonship from Christ Romans 8:5-17 5For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (The Spirit of Christ is given to help us learn sonship. Our relationship with God is one of a son and a Father. We must learn how to be sons and daughters of God.)
His mind was always on His Father’s Business Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Jesus did nothing of Himself John 8:28-30 28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30As he spake these words, many believed on him. (His focus was always pleasing His Father. He was dependant upon His Father in order to do everything that he did. Keeping a right relationship with His Father and saying and doing what He wanted was always the priority.)
Jesus was a reflection of the Father John 14:44-50 44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
Jesus only received praise from His Father John 5:39-47 39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 41I receive not honour from men. 42But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 43I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 45Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? ( When someone honored Christ it really didn’t mean anything to Him unless His Father thought that of Him. If someone honors us let it be true, but let all the glory go to God because without Him we can do nothing.)
Jesus was completely dependent upon the Father for all things John 5:30-37 30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 31If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 32There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 33Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 36But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 38And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Everything Jesus did was for the glory of the Father Colossians 3:23-25 23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
How do we attain the mind of Christ?
Christ our example 1 Peter 2:21-24 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (We have to bear long that others might make it. Suffering long for people and leaving a way for forgiveness is an attribute of Christ. Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.)
God ordained discipleship is how we get the Knowledge of Christ Ephesians 4:11-13 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. (In order to think like Christ and have the wisdom of Christ we must have the knowledge of Christ. Discipleship in the local church is God’s chosen way to perfect His Church and give them the mind of Christ. Ultimately, it is God who is our teacher. But He has chosen to use the body of Christ through the gifts of the Spirit to give us His mind and character.)
Be of one mind striving for the faith Philippians 1:27 27Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.)
Let us all have the same mind and same judgment 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Why do people err? Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (The Holy Spirit teaches us the scriptures so we do not err.)
Jesus Increased in wisdom and stature Luke 2:52 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. ( Plant yourself in the church God has chosen for you and watch God flourish you. Just like Christ, we too have to discipline ourselves to always be growing in the Spirit!)
Jesus was made like unto His brethren in all things so we could become like us Hebrews 4:14-16 14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Jesus came as a man fully dependant on God to show us the way. We must learn of Him and be like Him. )
Putting on the Mind of Christ
Putting on the mind of Christ means to have the divine perspective through the Son of God’s eyes. Knowing and having the divine perspective is extremely important to following God accurately. If we do not see things the way He sees them how can we truly follow Him and be one with Him? Remember, God’s reality is the one and only true reality and we must attain it through a real relationship with Him (Prayer, Bible, Regular Fasting, Godly Fellowship, Evangelism, Etc). In order to have His perspective in all things we must have the same source of truth. That source of truth is the perfect word of God, the King James Version Bible. Without the Perfect Word of God we have no sure foundation to stand on when it comes to measuring and dividing truth. Through the Word we study and become one with Jesus Christ. This is important because two cannot walk together unless they agreed.
Be renewed in the Spirit of our Mind Ephesians 4:17-24 17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20But ye have not so learned Christ; 21If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. ( Romans 12:2 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.)
Arm yourself with the mind of Christ 1 Peter 4:1 1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. (We are supposed to take on the mind of Christ in all things. Even though we will continue to grow in the knowledge and grace of God we are able to have the knowledge of God found in His Word. In order to have the mind of Christ, which is the divine perspective, we must know, understand, obey, and agree with the truth of God’s Word.)
Jesus would rather die than sin against God Philippians 2:5-8 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. )
He has given us everything we need through the knowledge of His Word 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (Everything is found through the knowledge of Him found in His Word. Be a follower and imitator of God. We were created to be His Holy Image.)
Chasing after the wisdom and knowledge of God
Understanding the mind of the Lord toward Sin Leviticus 24:10-23 10And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; 11And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) 12And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. 13And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 14Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. 16And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death. 17And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. 18And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast. 19And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; 20Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again. 21And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death. 22Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God. 23And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses. (Mercy triumphs over judgment. But if the sin isn’t repented of God has to judge sin. And He hates sin. The only reasonable punishment for sin is death and then the second death. Understanding the severity of sin is to have the knowledge of the Holy. )
Closing Verse: Where to get the knowledge of God Proverbs 2:1-9 1My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. (Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.)
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