The mind of Christ

[rizen1]

THE MIND
Of Christ PT 1
by Joyce Meyer

Have you ever said, “I sure wish I could think the way Jesus thought?” The truth is, you can!
The Bible says that through the new covenant in Christ, God gives us a new heart and a new
spirit, and the Spirit He gives us is His own (see Ezekiel 36:26,27). First Corinthians 2:16 states
even more emphatically that …we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the
thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.
Jesus has made arrangements for each of us to be filled with life by putting His own mind in us.
So the question is not do we have the mind of Christ, it’s are we flowing in the mind of Christ? If
not, then why not? What are some practical, biblical guidelines for flowing in the mind of Christ?


THINK POSITIVE THOUGHTS

For starters, if a person is thinking according to the mind of Christ, his thoughts will be positive.
God is positive, and if you and I want to flow in and with Him, we must get on the same
wavelength and begin to think positively. Amos 3:3 says, Can two people walk together without
agreeing on the direction? (NLT). In order to walk together with God and experience His plan for
our lives, we need to be in agreement with Him. So since His thoughts are positive, our thoughts
have to be positive.


Now, I’m not talking about exercising mind control or living in denial of the difficulties we may
be going through. I’m simply saying we need to aim at having a positive perspective and being an
all-around positive person—in spite of what may be going on around us.
Jesus certainly displayed a positive outlook and attitude. He endured many difficulties, including
being lied about, being deserted by His closest friends when He needed them most, being made
fun of, being lonely and misunderstood, and a number of other discouraging things. Yet, in the
midst of all these negatives, He remained positive. He always had an uplifting comment or an
encouraging word; He always gave hope to those who came near—even to the thief who hung on
the cross next to Him.



The mind of Christ in us is positive. Therefore, anytime we get negative, we are not operating
with the mind of Christ.
Remember, negative feelings come from negative thoughts. The mind is the battlefield, the
place where our fight is won or lost. Choose to be positive each day before your feet hit the floor.
Simply pray out loud, “Lord, I desire to be positive in all my thinking. Please give me the power to
focus my attention on the good around me, even if my circumstances are bad.” Then when the
negative thoughts come, cast them down and replace them with something positive (see 2
Corinthians 10:5).

 

[rizen1]

The Mind Of Christ
Pt2 Joyce Meyer



BE “WORD” MINDED
Another powerful way to stay flowing in the mind of Christ is to meditate on Scripture regularly.
This is by far one of the most important life principles we can ever learn. Why? Because God’s
Word is His thoughts written on paper for our study and consideration. His Word is how He
thinks about every situation and subject.


In John 5:38 Jesus was chastising some unbelievers. He told them, And you have not [God’s]
word (His thought) living in your hearts, because you do not believe and adhere to and trust in
and rely on Him Whom He has sent…. We see from this translation that God’s Word is a written
expression of His thoughts and that people who want to believe and experience all the good
results of believing must allow His Word to be a living message in their hearts.


This is accomplished by meditating on Scripture. This is how His thoughts become our thoughts.
Interestingly, the original Greek word for meditate is defined in Vine’s Complete Expository
Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words as “…to care for, to attend to, practice, be diligent in,
to ponder, or imagine.” Another definition for the word meditate that really spells out its meaning
is found in Noah Webster’s original 1828 dictionary. Here the word meditate means “to dwell on
anything in thought; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind.”

Many Christians have become fearful of the word meditate due to the meditation practices of pagan and occult religions.


But I urge you to remember that Satan has never had an original
idea. He takes what belongs to the kingdom of Light and perverts it for the kingdom of darkness.
We must be wise enough to realize that if meditation produces such power for the side of evil,
that it will also produce power for the cause of good.
Joshua 1:8 says that when we meditate on the Word day and night and have it in our mouths,
our way will be prosperous and we’ll have the ability to deal wisely in every situation we face.


Psalm 1:2,3 says when we make it a habit to meditate on the “law of the Lord,” we become like a
strongly rooted, healthy tree that regularly produces fruit and is resistant to harsh conditions. And
Proverbs 4:20-22 says that when we keep God’s words of wisdom in the center of our heart, we’ll
receive health and healing to all our flesh. Isn’t that powerful! Meditating on the Word of God
actually affects our physical body in a positive way.


I can’t emphasize strongly enough how important this principle is. Meditating on the Word will
bring life to you and ultimately to those around you. I encourage you to get into God’s Word and
begin to meditate on, study, ponder, practice mentally, and revolve in your mind scriptures that
touch you deeply and deal with what you’re going through. As you go about your day, ask the
Holy Spirit to remind you of certain scriptures so you can meditate on them. You’ll be amazed at
how much power will be released into your life from this practice.

 

[rizen1]

The Mind Of Christ
Pt3 Joyce Meyer


DEVELOP A THANKFUL MIND
Gaining and maintaining an attitude of gratitude is another way of flowing in the mind of Christ.
The Bible says that in God’s presence is fullness of joy, and the way to get into His presence is
through being thankful. Psalm 100:4 says, Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank
offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately
praise His name! And Psalm 34:1 says to bless the Lord at all times and let His praise be
continually in our mouths. How can you and I be a blessing to the Lord? By letting His praise
continually be in our thoughts and words.


A person flowing in the mind of Christ will choose to
focus his thoughts on things to be thankful for. There is no other way we can live a powerful life.
Over and over Scripture explains the principle of thanksgiving. Complaining in thought or word
is a death principle, but being thankful and saying so is a life principle. If a person doesn’t have a
thankful mind, thanksgiving will not come out of his mouth. When we are truly thankful for what
God has kept us from, what He’s done (and is doing) in our lives, and for what we have, we will
say so.


Now, our attitude of gratitude is not just directed to God. It’s also important to express
thanksgiving to the people in our lives. When someone does something nice for us, we need to let
them know we appreciate it—especially our family members.


My husband, Dave, and I have been married nearly forty years, and I appreciate him. He is a
very patient man and is full of wisdom and many other good qualities. On a regular basis, I still
tell him I appreciate him and point out specific things in his character and actions that I’m
grateful for. This helps build and maintain our good relationship.
Expressing appreciation is not only good for the receiver, it’s also good for the giver (us). How
do we generate an attitude of gratitude toward God and others? I believe the key is in our focus.


As you and I meditate throughout the day—rehearsing in our minds all the good things we have
to be thankful for—we will find our hearts becoming lighter and our outlook becoming brighter.
Psalm 77:11,12 says, I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles
of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds .


Developing an attitude of gratitude is not something that happens automatically—it requires a
conscious daily decision on our part. In fact, this kind of lifestyle sometimes requires a sacrifice of
thanksgiving or praise, but I would rather sacrifice my thanksgiving to God than sacrifice my joy
to Satan.


FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT’S RIGHT
So, you have the mind of Christ in you. Begin to develop it and use it. If what you’re thinking
isn’t ministering life and peace to you, don’t think it. If Jesus wouldn’t think it, you shouldn’t think
it either. As Paul said to the Philippians, I say to you: …Fix your thoughts on what is true and
honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about
things that are excellent and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8 NLT). That’s what Jesus would
think.

 

[rizen1]

Let the weak say I am strong Joel 3:10

Praise is the key to breaking down the forces of darkness.

 

[Ann]

Thanks for the post.

I love the preachings of Joyce Meyer, at this moment I'm waiting for her latest sermon to be downloaded to my PC.
I can truly recommend listening to her or reading anything that she writes, she has a great gift and calling and makes every day life clear and practical.

Blessings!

 

[rizen1]

I have three of her books;

Starting your day right,
Ending your day right
Be anxious for nothing

I too enjoy her sermons.

God bless

 

[abigya]

Personally I always bless Joyce Mayer for what she is doing, her life is a testimony to many of us. I have more than 5 of her books too.

Battle field of the mind and if not for the grace of God, are some of my favorites.
I encouraged most of my friends to read the Battle of the mind, it's an eye opening.

Thanks for sharing Rizen1
Blessings
abigya

 

[rizen1]

Thanks abigya
, my next read will be the Battle of the mind

 

[rizen1]

Today lets renew our minds.

"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).

 

[rizen1]

I saw a thread on Joyce and remembered this.