The Mind Of Christ
A Christian Discipline
Dr. Walter D. Huyck Jr. D.Min. D.R.S.
www.thischristianjourney.com
". . .But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor. 2.16).
What an awesome privilege God has granted us. He has indeed
blessed mankind above all other creatures. He placed within us the capacity to
think, reason and choose. Then above all else, once we have chosen to accept
Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, He then provided us with the greatest of
all gifts, the ability to develop the mind of Christ. What an incredible,
unimaginable gift.
Yet it seems that so few have managed to realize and develop
this amazing state of being. It seems that many Christians are satisfied with
the thought of their salvation and never strive for this fulfilling aspect of
God's gift for them. Perhaps they don't want to make the commitment that might
be required. However, I believe that the real culprit is their lack of
knowledge. Many Christians just don't realize that this Mind of Christ is
available to them as God's Children.
Rest assured my friend, if you are a born-again Christian
then you can develop the mind of Christ too. You don't have to be a Pastor,
Deacon, or Sunday School Teacher. You don't have to go to college nor seminary.
Why, you don't even have to have a High School Diploma. God has already placed
the ability within you. As a matter of opinion, I feel that God has even placed
the desire within us, but when we fail to properly identify this hunger we teach
ourselves to turn it off, or block it out.
Developing The Mind Of Christ
So how do you develop this incredible gift?
1. Recognize that it is a state of mind and must be
protected.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it
[are] the issues of life." (Prov 4.23)
I think that some of the greatest hindrances to developing
the Mind of Christ are the very distractions that we take for granted every day.
Our televisions, radios, and computers to list only a few. They consume large
volumes of the precious moments we have in our lives. They keep us from thinking
for ourselves as so many today consider idle moments as boring rather than
opportunities for spiritual enrichment.
One of the first steps that must be taken by any Christian in
pursuit of a wholesome spiritual mind must be the decision to take control of
those things that will influence their mind. What you subject yourself to
through your television, radio, and any other medium must be controlled. The
time spent with the devices of our culture must be controlled as well. Just
because its there and its playing or showing does not make it beneficial to your
spiritual growth and well-being.
Another possible source of distraction may be the people in
our lives. Our friends and family may actually draw us away from wholesome
Christian thinking. Godly people need to have godly friends that can encourage
them and hold them accountable to God's standards.
After all it is a matter of the mind. We are told in the New
Testament:
"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." (Phil 4.8)
If you really want to develop the Mind of Christ then you
must draw very close to Him and allow Him to teach you. However, for most of us,
there are just far to many distractions in our lives, and those distractions are
literally robbing us of all that God offers us.
You must decide that you are going to finally make yourself a
sanctuary for God. A holy place where God can dwell without unholy defilement
from any source.
2. Spend Time In The Things Of God.
How can anyone hope to develop the Mind of Christ if they
won't spend time in the things of God. The two primary things of God are God's
Word and Prayer.
I strongly encourage every Christian to read their Bibles
everyday. If possible read through the whole Bible every year. If you happen to
be a slower reader then read at least one chapter of the New Testament everyday,
by doing this you will read the whole New Testament in less than a year.
It is through God's Word that He reveals Himself to us. God
teaches us how He thinks and what's important to Him. As you start to understand
the heart of God you will begin to develop the Mind of Christ, and this maturing
process can continue for the rest of your life. Our God is so great that we will
only be able to taste small tokens of who He is, yet each morsel draws nearer to
the Divine.
Once you have begun this life changing process you will find
yourself growing in a truly incredible and personal relationship. A relationship
with God. In this intimacy you will find yourself talking to God and hearing
back from Him, this is Christian prayer. It is so much more than mere religious
incantations, it is heartfelt communication and is only really experienced in
the very presence of God. This sharing of thoughts and desires are the natural
outpouring of the Mind of Christ.
I feel that I must mention that there are other things that
can help you in your pursuit of the Mind of Christ. For example, reading
Christian literature, spending time with God's people and talking about the
things of God, as well as serving others in the spirit of Christ will help you
to develop yourself in the things of God.
3. Desire and Discipline.
"And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall
search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29.13)
When you finally decide that you really want to know God and
walk in the depth of relationship that the Mind of Christ implies, then you'll
begin this truly awesome journey. Desire is the catalyst that leads to
discipline, and Christian discipline leads to an intimate relationship with God.
Some of you may be thinking that this is all fantasy. You
wonder if mankind could ever develop the depth of heart required to even
experience a small portion of the Mind of Christ. The truth is that this is
indeed beyond human capability, but nothing is impossible with God. God wants
you to be one with Him, as Jesus revealed in John 17, and He said that if you
would make the commitment to seek Him with sincere desire and determination,
then He will do in you and for you what you cannot do for yourself.
So the question is, do you want to develop the Mind of
Christ? If so, tell God right now!
