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Have the Mind of Christ?: How to Cultivate a Biblical Worldview

 

Each month, I host a “Coffee and Conversation” for my Seasoned Sisters friends (women over 40 who wants the “Rest of Life to Be the Best of Life”.) Because this year has been so tense, full of upheaval and controversy on the economic, social, political, interpersonal  and philosophical fronts—producing unrest on nearly every area , I wanted to help us all take a step, or rather, a more ariel view of what it means to “Have the Mind of Christ” and “Develop a  Biblical World View”  This a VAST and DEEP discussion, and for a more complete training, I offer  resources and ministries for further equipping at the end of this short devotional.

I am a visual learner, a Bible art enthusiast who has seen  the value of combining bible study with creative expression in my books, Discovering Hope in the Psalms; Discovering Joy in Philippians, and Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament: A Creative Bible Study Experience. These creative studies engage both the right and left-brain hemisphere so scripture can be thoroughly processed.  Below are a few verses, (there are many more), that capture some truths on developing the Mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV

For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

The word “mind” here is to receive the reasoning and thoughts of God, by faith. So, as we enter a personal relationship with Christ, then spend time in His love letter to us, the Bible, each day, day by day, we learn to think more like the Creator.  I like to picture heavenly thinking entering my heart and home.

1 Peter 1:13 ESV

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

In this verse “minds” is the picture of thinking “side to side” thorough reasoning, critical thinking that reaches across to the other side. This is a common debate practice of researching your opponent’s arguments and researching answers to give to each argument.  I developed this approach while in university years ago. I had to be twice as prepared, I had to write my paper or presentation, but I also needed to know all arguments and have my answers prepared.

1 John 2:6 ESV .

Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Abide is the picture of the branch of a grape vine from John 15. “I am the vine, you are the branches” Other synonyms are walk with, remain, tarry, wait with, even “pitch a tent”  or in today’s terms, be that houseguest that just never wants to leave! Walk as Jesus walked, and it is a picture of walking to “complete a circuit”. So, to cultivate the mind of Christ we need to walk the steps of Christ and hang out or “abide” with Christ, moment by moment, through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

 

 

Ephesians 5:1 ESV  

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children.

The mind of Christ emulates and reflects Christ. The word imitators is the word we get mimic from. When our youngest was a preschooler, he dressed in a suit each Sunday to be “like dad”. He sat on the front row and mimiced EVERY action his preacher daddy did! The mind of Christ calls for us to follow our Heavenly Father as beloved kids.

 

Romans 8:6 ESV /

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

The mind here captures our innermost thoughts that guide our outward actions, choices, and behaviors. And the results of a mind set on the Spirit is life and peace Life is ZOE which is life that is created, sustained and springs from God. Peace in this verse references back to Shalom, that common greeting and well-wish in the Jewish community. Peace in this case is a peace of mind. In the original language it is a word picture of all essential parts joined together—in other words, holistic, all-inclusive, thriving health and well-being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal ofbible art, creative,  your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The key words are transformed, or having a metamorphosis of mind. Our mind is also renewed, meaning changing for the better. Our mind here includes our ability to think, reason, reflect and receive God’s thoughts. The result is the ability to discern God’s will that is good (intrinsically good because it comes from God), acceptable (fully well and pleasing) and perfect (mature, reached its aim one stage at a time until it is at full strength. A word picture that I think reflects this is a sailor’s telescope, that stretches out, segment by segment, click by click.)

While these might be simplistic explanations and word pictures, I think they can capture our prayers asking for the Mind of Christ.

Lord help me:

Daily ask for YOUR wisdom, from YOUR WORD

Help me see any issue from side to side looking for YOUR view

Guide me to abide with You, walk with You, and wait with YOU so I capture who YOU are and how You relate to people, problems and policies.

Let me mimic, emulate and imitate YOU, in admiration like a child looking to a Father.  

May my innermost thoughts be YOURS and guide my outward actions, choices, and behaviors.

Produce in me a metamorphosis of mind in me so I am renewed, changed for the better so I can see the path to help people and our world change for the better too.

Amen

For more information on developing a Biblical World View

Well Versed Ministry 

Family Research Council

Summit Ministry

Colson Center 

Focus on the Family- The Family Project 

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