Christians have the “mind of Christ.” The Bible says: “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him. But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). What exactly is the mind of Christ? The Bible gives the answer. In his letter to the church art Philippi, the apostle Paul wrote: ”Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ” (Philippians 2:5).
We should keep in mind that salvation unites us with the Lord Jesus Christ and His mind. No wonder Paul could declare: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Paul is saying a believer is identified with Christ in His death on the Cross. When Christ died, I died too. And then, the life I am now living, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. This means I identify with Christ not only in His death, but also in His life.
Therefore, believers have the mind of Christ. It also means making our relationship with God an essential part of daily living. It will help us to follow the example of Paul when he said: “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). “Paul would not condemn human reasoning as such, but would warn that we must not allow our intellects to be exercised in defiance of the Lord and in obedience to Him” (William MacDonald).
To fully understand this statement, we must first consider the “humility of Christ.” The Bible states: “And being found in human form, He [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
The mind of Christ definitely requires humility and obedience to the God of the Scriptures, whereby we “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1,2).
Humility is hard to discern these days because so many think of themselves “more highly than [they] ought to think” (Romans 12:3). However, Jesus is quite the opposite. His purpose in coming to earth was to do God’s will (Hebrews 10:7). Hence, Christ Jesus, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped” (Philippians 2:6). “In the form of God” expresses that Jesus existed with God from eternity past. Jesus, in His priestly intercessory prayer, said, “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:11).
Another example of Christ’s humility is stated by Paul: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). This highlights the generosity of our Savior in His giving up all He had “for our sakes,” so that we through his poverty might become rich. And rich we are because of God’s grace and mercy.
God the Holy Spirit gives us the mind of Christ and guides us to live the Christian life in such a way to please God. The Scripture says: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). This means Christians must not allow this sin-defiled world that is antagonistic to God, and championed by Satan to dictate and mold our lives with its own corrupt practices. Having the mind of Christ will inspire us to persistently reject such practices.
Humility will also keep us from the ‘sin of pride.’ The Bible says: “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate” (Proverbs 8:13). Pride started with Satan, whose intent was to “ascend above the heights of the clouds; and make himself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:14).
The sin of pride brings contention and strife, which is followed by shame, destruction, and disgrace. The Bible warns: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
In His humility, Jesus willingly submitted to His Father’s will. As He was facing death on the Cross for our sins, He prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).
The sin of pride will prevent us from being submissive to God’s will and purpose, and the divine principles of His Holy Word.