The Mind of Christ

For, “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16

In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul explains that God makes himself and his ways known to us through the Spirit: “For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets” (2:10). Apart from such supernatural help, we cannot know God’s thoughts. To underscore this point, Paul quotes from Isaiah 40:13: “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” Yet we do understand these things, because “we have the mind of Christ” (2:16).

What does it mean that we have the mind of Christ? It does not mean that we know everything Christ knows. Nor does it mean that we know with his degree of clarity and certainty. In this age, we still see “imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror.” (1 Cor. 13:12). But when we enter into a relationship with God through Christ, we begin a process of transformation, in which we start thinking, feeling, and judging more and more like Christ (see Rom. 12:2). This process is governed by God’s Spirit, who teaches us the ways of Christ.

One of the major ways the Spirit of God instructs and transforms us is through the Scripture. As we read, study, reflect upon, internalize, and obey the written Word of God, the Spirit is at work in us, helping us to have the mind of Christ. This is one of the goals of these Daily Reflections. My hope and prayer is that as we consistently use Scripture to help us know and converse with God, we will become more and more like Christ himself in our inner being.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Have you ever known someone who seems to you to have “the mind of Christ”? Are there specific ways in which you have begun to think more and more like Jesus? In which areas of your life do you need to have the mind of Christ?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, indeed, your thoughts are beyond me. Your ways exceed my understanding. Yet you have graciously made yourself known to me. Thank you for revealing yourself in Jesus Christ. Thank you for continuing to reveal yourself through the Spirit, who teaches me your truth. Thank you for the Spirit-inspired Scriptures that help me to know you. Thank you as well for the community of your people, through which your Spirit speaks to me.

Gracious God, may I have the mind of Christ. May I think like Christ, feel like Christ, discern like Christ. May your Spirit continue to teach me and guide me, so that I might be more like Christ in all of my ways.

Help me to have the mind of Christ today as I work, as I spend time with family and friends, as I live among your people and as I live for you in this world. Amen.