“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.
If you haven’t read it yet, this may be confusing, but don’t worry because I want to tell you a bit about your mind. You’re probably asking, “What does my mind have to do with the mind of Christ?” I’m glad you asked because I have much to say about it.
The mind of Christ, a term that resonates with many as stated in the Bible is much more than just a spiritual concept — it’s also psychological. If you go through the New Testament, you’re well aware that Jesus was a fantastic psychologist, perhaps one of the best. Jesus had a mission to save people from their minds as much as salvation of the soul. The salvation of the reasoning mind is to be free from negative thoughts of the subconscious mind and live from a positive belief rather than a position of fear, doubt, and disbelief.
Achieving the salvation of the mind means following a similar path, where you’re expressing thoughts, speaking words, and executing actions as Jesus did. If you can recall, Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples truly; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8.31–32) The passage is spoken by Paul the Apostle, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12.2) So, what do these passages mean? They are psychological statements. If you follow Jesus’ word, you will gain greater control over negative thoughts and feelings. The salvation of the mind is as essential as soul salvation.
Let me explain. I spent twenty years as a seminary student, teacher, preacher, and pastor. I was convinced that believing and teaching the correct doctrine was the most important spiritual discipline a Christian leader could practice. I read every book on systematic theology, listened to the best preachers, and spent hours in sermon preparation to ensure I taught correct doctrine. I was taught that these disciplines ensured success. However, I learned that preachers spend fewer than five hours a week in sermon preparation. Still, they had large followings. I concluded that preaching is a small part of building a faith community and that people care more about how you care and less about what you know.
In other words, they had results. Results determine effectiveness, expertise, and professional demand. I realized that having information about the Bible is not enough. Knowing doesn’t always lead to practical application and quantifiable results. I learned that you could know a lot about the Bible without influence.
Most importantly, I realized that belief is the most crucial lesson Jesus communicated to his followers. Faith will take you further than knowledge. I knew that believing, speaking, and walking in Jesus’ truth can significantly impact your life. But my experience of this truth was minimal at best. Jesus worked overtime to change people’s perspectives about God, self, and the power of a positive mental attitude.
The salvation of the mind demands that you change your thoughts to think Divine thoughts, change your words to speak Divine words, and your actions with actions that represent the best version of yourself. This is why having the mind of Christ is essential. Having the mind of Christ indicates the mental power you have over your thoughts and your willingness to change them. It’s the reason Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly.” (John 10.10) A Christ-like mindset means living life to its fullest potential and creating a life for yourself that you genuinely deserve and is available to you.
Your Mind
So, what does the mind of Christ have to do with your mind? When you have the right mindset, you can do anything. It’s not about how much you know. Instead, it’s about using the information you already have, possessing a belief in the Divine plan, yourself, and living consistently in this truth by faith-this is Salvation. Salvation has visible effects on your way of thinking. You’re more accepting of positive things and can experience the goodness that Christ has to offer you with the right positive mental attitude.
Think as Jesus did. Attract the good you want and deserve to experience in life. Live a life of faith, no doubt, with genuine passion, vision, and focus. You can get to where you want to be while maintaining a positive, humble attitude towards every situation you encounter. It only takes a curious examination of the life of Jesus Christ to see that he managed to break down many false beliefs by redeeming and changing your perspective about life experiences. It’s time that you allow Jesus, the most fantastic psychologist, to transform your life by changing your mind. AMEN!
Bailey, L. (2022, April 3). Jesus, the psychologist. Medium. https://medium.com/@lionelbailey/jesus-the-psychologist-48e1c9fcc22e
