RENEW | Day 29 • The Mind of Christ: Thinking on a Higher Level
Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Most of the disciples could only compare Jesus with people they could think about, like John the Baptist or Elijah. However, Peter reached beyond his intellect to receive information from God. This was an example of having the Mind of Christ.
The only person who can tell us about God is the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
If we live only by what is familiar, we will be unable to handle the greater challenges and opportunities of life. Operating in the Mind of Christ is the single most important factor to understand the ways of God and living in consistent victory.
What is the mind of Christ?
The mind of Christ represents special grace to share in the thoughts, plans and motives of God. Having the Mind of Christ is one of the benefits of being a Christian. He who is joined to the
Lord is one spirit with Him. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
This is the reason that the task of renewing the mind is so essential. We cannot have the mind of Christ apart from renewing our mind. When we learn to think on a higher level, we will be able to live on a higher level.
Reflection Question: What are two examples of the mind of Christ active in your life?
