N.B: heart and mind may be used interchangeably in this article.

It all starts with the mind. Many psychologists would tell you what you allow into your mind is what you become. Even scripture backs this up with Proverbs 23:7 that says as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Again scripture says that issues of life flow out of the heart, therefore we should guard it with diligence (Proverbs 4:23). God recognizes how sacred the mind is, which is why He gave a perfect gift: the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16)

We are partakers of God’s divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us confirms this to us. He also confirms to us that we have the mind of Christ through scripture. What the natural man would fail to discern, we not only discern but also understand.

God doesn’t want to remain a mystery to us. Once upon a time, He was a mystery. Only a few people knew Him. But now, He gives that access to every believer that would dare to use it. We are no longer kept in the dark concerning God’s plans because we have the mind of Christ. It was once said that eyes haven’t seen nor ears heard but with the mind of Christ, that is, the Holy Spirit in us, we see and hear these things. (1 Cor. 2:9-11)

We are no longer kept in the dark concerning God’s plans because we have the mind of Christ.

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One major thing that stood out concerning Jesus was His way of thinking. To have the mind of Christ is to have our mindset readjusted to suit His. The people would watch in amazement how He would take the same scriptures the scribes and Pharisees used and would preach such a liberating and breathtaking sermon. He would always refer to Himself as the Son of God and bask in His identity. Having His mind means we think like this. We become more knowledgeable and confident of our identity and of the scriptures. Just like the will of Jesus was to do God’s will, we too receive the same will such that our purpose is aligned to His purpose and our will to His will. (John 4:34; John 6:38)

Another beauty of having the mind of Christ is that we now think like Him. Think of some of those bad habits and sinful desires you once had before Christ and think of your feelings towards them now. If you take time to evaluate yourself before receiving Christ and afterward, you would soon realise that those sinful things and bad habits that had you on a chokehold don’t interest you anymore. In fact, you may even realise that you are disgusted even by the very thought of those sins. Wise men say that if you want to change your life or fate, it starts with your mind. Having the mind of Christ has allowed the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to work wonders in our lives. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 2:16)

Little wonder why Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 to subject our minds to daily renewal so that we do not conform to worldly standards. The mind of Christ is an automatic reprogramming every believer receives at the point of belief but it must be subjected to constant renewal for it to remain flourishing. Just like a plant must be watered constantly to keep it evergreen and fresh, we must do the same with the mind of Christ that we have received.

Apart from subjecting our minds to renewal, another way by which we can bring ourselves to function with the mind of Christ is to set our minds on things that are above only (Colossians 3:2). One thing we notice about Jesus is His kingdom consciousness. He was always on about what would please the Father. When we set our minds on heavenly things we function in the mind of Christ. Philippians 4:8 gives us a charge. It says “…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.”

The mind of Christ is not something you can pray your way into getting. It is not something you still need to ask of God. The statement made in 1 Cor. 2:16 is affirmative that we have it already. Every believer –not just a class of believers, every believer –has the mind of Christ. All we need to do is remain conscious of it and align ourselves with this reality, subjecting our minds to constant renewal through our study of the scriptures. (Rom 12:1-2: Col. 3:16)

It is through faith in Jesus Christ that we are able to access the mind of Christ. The currency of the kingdom is faith. This means that without faith, you cannot access anything from the kingdom, the mind of Christ inclusive. Furthermore, you must believe in His sufferings, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection.