PRACTICAL STEPS TO HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST

In the 4th chapter of Philippians Paul tells us, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Phil. 4:8). This is part of what it means to have the "mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16b). Before we can make this a practical reality, however, we must first cleanse our minds. This does not happen overnight, but as Christians it is part of our destiny. There are several practical steps to having the mind of Christ. 1. Confessing. We need to stay up-to-date in confessing our sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). 2. Forgiving. We have to forgive anyone who has wronged us. "The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy" (Prov. 14:10). As we go on the "inward journey" (contemplative / reflective prayer), old hurts and offenses will rise up and cry out to us. The road to all healing, as well as to the deeper life of intimacy with God, begins with the path of forgiveness. 3. Forgetting. An important part of good Christian mental health is the art of forgetting. "Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14). Forgetting does not mean that we develop spiritual amnesia and no longer remember the pain and hurt of the past. It does mean that through the grace of God the debilitating sting of pain is removed so that we can continue the journey. 4. Removing. There are worldly attitudes, habits, and practices that we need to remove from our lives so that we can focus exclusively on Jesus. "Let us... lay aside every encum-brance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus..." (Hebrews 12:1b-2a). 5. Combating and Withstanding. Sometimes we have to fight before we can obtain an inner peace and serenity. "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedi-ence of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:4-5). 6. Building Up. Whenever we tear down the negative, we need to build up the positive in its place. "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life" (Jude 20-21). Praying in the Spirit with the gift of tongues has been a great and vital key for me through the years. It is not just a spiritual discipline for me, but a way of life. 7. Putting on. We have to "dress up" in the new spiritual garments Christ has given us. "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Rom. 13:14a). "Put on the full armour of God..." (Eph. 6:11a). "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity" (Col. 3:12,14). [From: Wasted on Jesus, Jim W. Goll, 2000, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc.] Sponsored by: Lemon Blossom Guest House 4 Kerk Street Potchefstroom (018) 297 1137 or 082 803 3872