Having the mind of Christ means thinking and acting as Jesus would in our daily lives. It involves surrendering our own thoughts and desires to God’s will and aligning our mindset with His. This transformation happens gradually through the renewing of our minds by studying Scripture, prayer, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and putting Christ’s teachings into practice. Here are some key principles for developing the mind of Christ:
Renew your mind through studying Scripture
The Bible 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). Immersing ourselves in God’s Word renews our thinking to be more like Christ’s. As we read the Gospels, we see Jesus’ character and ways of thinking revealed. The more we understand His heart and mindset, the more ours can align with His.
Surrender your thoughts and desires to God
Our natural tendencies are often selfish and out of alignment with God’s will. To have the mind of Christ, we need to surrender our own thoughts and desires daily and ask God to align our will with His. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5). Setting our mind on the things of the Spirit involves an intentional shift away from earthly, fleshly thinking.
Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit
As we yield to the Holy Spirit and experience inward renewal, the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control starts to grow in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). This fruit reflects the character of Christ. As we allow the Spirit to produce this fruit in us, it impacts our thoughts, attitudes and actions. Our mindset becomes more loving, peaceful, patient and gentle like Jesus.
Fill your mind with praise and thanksgiving
Instead of being anxious or complaining, we can choose to fill our minds with praise and thanksgiving to God. The Bible instructs us to dwell on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable – things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). Praising God for His goodness renews our perspective. Thanking Him in all circumstances trains our mind to see blessings rather than focus on problems.
Practice humility and obedience
Jesus modeled perfect humility and obedience. He emptied Himself by taking on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). He obeyed the Father even to the point of death. As we humble ourselves before God, we make room for His thoughts to replace our own. By obeying His commands, our actions follow Christ’s example. Humility and obedience shape our minds to be more like His.
Walk in continual communication with God
Jesus had an intimate, dependent relationship with the Father, consistently praying and seeking His will. We can develop the mind of Christ by cultivating an ongoing dialogue with God through prayer. As we present our requests to Him and listen for His direction, it keeps us dependent on His thoughts rather than our own. Staying connected spiritually enables us to walk in step with the Spirit and reflect the mind of Christ.
Serve others sacrificially
Christ sacrificed Himself in serving others. He instructs us to follow His example of servant leadership, considering others’ interests before our own. “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who…made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant.” (Philippians 2:5-7). Serving humbly develops the selfless mindset that characterized Jesus’ ministry on earth.
Extend grace and forgiveness to others
Since Christ has graciously forgiven us, we are called to extend that same grace to others when wronged or offended (Colossians 3:13). Forgiving reflects the merciful heart of God rather than a bitter, unforgiving mentality. It requires laying down our pride and desire for vengeance – a key part of having the mind of Christ.
Guard your mind from unhealthy influences
We cannot develop a Christlike mind while filling it with impurity or falsehood. The Bible calls us to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Being vigilant about what we allow into our minds through media, relationships and life experiences is crucial. God’s truth must shape our thinking above all else.
Stay focused on eternal perspective
With His divine nature, Jesus’ mind was centered on eternal things rather than earthly concerns. Cultivating an eternal perspective focuses our thoughts on storing up heavenly treasures rather than temporal things (Matthew 6:20). It helps us look at life from God’s point of view versus the world’s. Keeping our minds set on eternity gives us Christ’s outlook.
Delight in the Lord
The psalmist declares, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). As we find joy and satisfaction in God above all else, He puts new desires within us that align with His will. Delighting in the Lord transforms our thinking from selfish to God-centered. This is a key part of developing the mind of Christ.
In summary, having the mind of Christ encompasses continual processes like renewing our thinking through Scripture, surrendering our will to God’s, cultivating spiritual fruit, praying, serving, forgiving and guarding our minds. It requires diligence and discipline to transform our natural ways of thinking into Christlike thought patterns. The Holy Spirit empowers us for this incredible journey one day at a time as we seek to become more like Jesus.