Sound Mind

If people call themselves a Christian/Believer/Follower, then we are responsible for the things we meditate upon. The bible says in Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."

What kind of mind did Jesus have? First we know that he had the mind of God which only seeks truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth". 2 Timothy 3:16:17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." Jesus was well versed in the scriptures for he was the Word of God. He was a maven of God's law and man's law. As we have now read it is possible for that same mind to be in us. Knowing the scriptures in our hearts will compel us to perfection unto all good works.

We are to be honest in our thinking. 2 Corinthians 8:21 "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men."

It is important to be just in our thinking. To be spiritually minded is life. Romans 8:4 "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (We are to be pure in our thoughts always.) Romans 12:1-2 "that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Since we serve a pure God and the pure blood of his Son runs through our veins we too should be pure in our thoughts. James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

As born again believers in Christ Jesus we are to dwell on things that are lovely. Our entire Christian character is something that we do not produce by our hard work but rather it is produced by the Holy Spirit (John 15:1-5, Galatians 2:20) What would be considered lovely things? Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." (1 Corinthians chapter 13)

Another advancement toward peace of mind is thinking of things of a good report. Not allowing negative news or gossip filter into your mind. Philippians 4:8-9 "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 a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things. Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

It is necessary for God's people to keep their minds spiritual in order to stay at peace with the world around them. Chaos, disorder and confusion are not of God. The way we keep in harmony with God's thinking is to have the mind of Christ.

A perfect example of how Jesus thought about negative situations is found over in the book of John chapter 17. Jesus postured his heart for an intense prayer before he ever went to the Garden of Gethsemane. Verse 1 says, "Glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee." Jesus was saying here that the cross would be a victory. He was already looking past the negative into the future. The future was Jesus being clothed with glory sitting at the right hand of God the Father. If you skip down to verse 4 you will see something which backs up this thinking. "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." In the mind of Christ he was finished with his earthly work. He walked by faith not by sight. The crucifixion that would soon come to him could have depressed him and troubled him, however, he did not look at the negative but pressed toward the mark he had been sent here to do.

We who say we are Christ-like ought to have the same mind as Christ, following the example of true love which he demonstrated by taking our place in death that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

It seems when people are going through hard times or when tragedy occurs in one's family there is a resurgence to the faith. God's Word tells us not to wander so far way that the Lord has to come looking for you. Hard Times will come even to God's people. If his children are close to him in mind and spirit he will warn them of impending danger. He will deliver his people and protect those who have a relationship with him.  When we draw close to God, God will draw close to us.

In Christ Jesus,

Dale Thompson