What is the mind of Christ and how do we attain it?

[Sue D.]

I Said -- "a few will be fine -- that the 'extensive' isn't really needed."

A good point -- we place our faith in lots of things every day. We place our faith in the ability of the plumber that he did what he was supposed to do. The same with the electrician.

 

[Samson2020]

I would like to jump in if I may,

When I first received the Holy Ghost baptism at the hand of my Lord I was alone in my little truck headed home from a long day at work. The feeling of an unseen warm thin honey flowed over and through me and started about the forehead area then proceeded to encompass the entire body. I started to cry while at the same time rejoicing, and words that I did not understand came out of my mouth and still do to this day, though I have control of that now.

I say the above to say this.

As a babe in Christ, at that time, within a few weeks of that specific event the Lord spoke to me as I looked up from my work and saw a customer whom I knew but not that well. The Lord said simply go pray for him. Well I was not used to this kind of thing and wanted more information from the Lord so I pressed him as to what I should pray for. He replied "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, you've read this." I said yes but still what is it that he needs? He responded see Acts 3. I did and then knew he was to be healed but not of what. So at that moment the man was leaving and I ran out to stop him and conversed with him shortly because I was lost on where to start. So I simply asked him how he was doing? He replied i'm good for today but they say I could go any time now. So I asked him then If he was a Christian? He was a bit ashamed as he had not been to Church in awhile and bowed his head as he said yes. I replied that's ok I just wanted to know where you were so I wouldn't scare you because the Lord just sent me out to pray for you because he is going to heal you. Well it took him about half a second to snap to attention as a soldier when an officer enters the room because apparently he had been praying for just that thing. I simply placed my hand on his shoulder and prayed that he receive the healing that was coming to him. And we parted ways.

Long story short the man had a bad heart. It was healed by the lord within 2 weeks with no external interference from any human. Six months later his wife came in crying and we all thought the man had died, but her tears were tears of joy as you see this man had inoperable cancer and they had just returned from the oncologist who had told them that this cancer he once had was nowhere to be found.

In telling this story (testimony) I am trying to share that as a child of God we want to please God so we like any child will do what our parents tell us to do while we are small. But when we start to grow up we think (with a carnal mind) that we know better than them so we do what we think best.

The Mind Of Christ is a mind of SELF SACRIFICE unto doing only those things that as Jesus said "I hear or see the Father doing."

We are always listening for our next assignment if so be there is one. All the while daily killing our own carnal mind and the five senses it rules.

As we mature from an infant in Christ to a young son to an older son the trappings of earthly goods and desires as well as "church programs" fall away as leaves from a tree in the fall, as the only thing we really want to is Hear our Father teach us his ways so that we become more like Him.
Even though the Earth is a wondrous place the destination of a spiritual being is not Earth but with the Father and the Son in the Kingdom.

So in my experience, or during my maturation process, I would say that the mind of Christ is a true obedience to the first and most important commandment.

And in answer to your other question "what would you ask?" I ask daily for a more speedy maturity so that the revealing of his SON in me become apparent to those with eyes to see.

 

[Sue D.]

Thank you for sharing -- God uses each of us in His way for His purposes. He's used you in a specific way at that time and no doubt, He will continue to use you.

God created us with those 5 senses -- it's how we, individually use them. Our personal choice to use our eyes to read junk or Bible or National Geographic or 'whatever'. And that which we find interesting in one phase of life can change over time.
My own interests in life have changed over time.

Yes, we are to love the Lord our God with our heart, mind and soul and our neighbor as ourselves.

 

[Samson2020]

The 5 senses are what feeds the carnal mind. These 5 are of the Earth and cannot sense anything spiritual; therefore they give input in the natural to the carnal mind which then reasons within itself as to why something did or didn't happen. Luck, no luck, close call, dead etc.. These 5 fugitives cannot see God as he is simply because he is spirit, they cannot see that he is in control of every moment of every day of our lives. Think about it he knows how many hairs are on your head today and how many will be there tomorrow, he causes the planets to maintain their orbits in space and the sun to always shine etc.. how is it that he could not set up your every day existence to better you for his own pleasure? Indeed this is exactly what he is doing. Does not the potter have control over the clay to make some vessels to honor and others to dishonor? All I'm really saying is that God controls everything. Is this too hard to believe? If it is then your 5 senses still control you and you walk after the flesh.
God sets up the governments of the world (Rom 13) this in itself seems unfathomable with all the infighting among all nations, and the out fighting with some.
But with this knowing of him being in charge we are freed from paying much attention to it, especially the voting part for that too is predetermined.
"They cast the lots into the lap but the decision is wholly of the Lord."
The carnal mind along with the 5 senses must die in you for the mind of Christ to be properly birthed it can happen no other way. When God sends strife into your life look for him as the instigator in your time of trouble disregarding what your senses tell you. Ask Job who is really in charge. He got it right, while all his friends who sound like the "churches teachings of today" got it wrong. Look for him in everything and sooner or later you'll catch a glimpse even in what seems to be horrendous. Jesus tells us it was Gods plan to sacrifice him, but i'd say most believe it was the Romans along with the Israelite priests that were guilty of his murder. Do we give credit to the tool that caused the death or the one whom used the tool?

 

[Sue D.]

Are you referring to the 5 senses / hearing , smelling, tasting, feeling, seeing? or something else. Maybe you could name the senses of the earth as you've referred to them as.

 

[Samson2020]

Refer to the POST entitled Blinded not really able to understand the bible. the last post on the last page. Maybe that will help a bit.

 

[Sue D.]

Samson2020 -- you brought up the 5 senses. Assumed you'd know what they are.

 

[Samson2020]

Yes these are the 5 senses TASTE, TOUCH, SIGHT, SMELL AND HEARING. These hide in your earthen vessel and there they incubate their unlawful and excessive desires for the things of the world. You need to root them out and destroy them along with fear, disbelief, resentment, and blame while eradicating selfishness and self-preservation. Starve the carnal minds appetite for evil, and those cunning, enslaving desires that would make you their servant.
I wrote the post I referred you to hoping you would read it so I wouldn't have to type it out again.
In short your Bible says that the EYE is not satisfied with the seeing, nor the EAR filled with the hearing. The things of Earth that appeal to these 5 senses keep us enslaved to our carnal mind. Granted we must still be able to see to read and maybe hear if its worth hearing. But the point was that there is more that the eye sees than what we read. If the mind is ever to be the mature mind of Christ then indeed every thought must conform.
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT to the obedience of Christ." Every thought? What is it that causes your thoughts? Is it not that which the 5 senses bring into your mind?

 

[Sue D.]

WoW -- have you ever considered getting some Biblical counseling? or help of some kind.

 

[Samson2020]

Let those that have ears to hear let them hear.

 

[Samson2020]

And If thine EYE offend thee, PLUCK it out, and cast it from thee.......... SIGHT
If thy HAND or thy FOOT offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee.......TOUCH

 

[Sue D.]

The IF is important. a person has control of what their body is doing. IF any of our body is causing a problem DO something about it. Not literally cutting it off -- do something to correct the problem. IF your eyes want to look at porn , for instance -- take steps to Stay Away from the Porn. Put blocks on your internet access. Have an accountability partner.

Take MORE responsibility for your own actions. I'm not referring to you , personally, generally speaking for Anyone.

Instead of the 'woe me' attitude -- take personal responsibility.

 

[Samson2020]

That indeed is the point to the whole thread. Personal responsibility of everything that enters your mind and it can only enter through your 5 senses.
In holding them at bay it starves the carnal mind and allows the mind of Christ to develop in you.

 

[Hekuran]

If the natural senses are to be crushed and subdued, we'd have to question Jesus giving so much attention to healing the blind and restoring hearing to the deaf.

 

[Sue D.]

God created mankind Perfect and He gave us those five senses.

There's supposed to be a Balance in our lives. We aren't to Starve the carnal mind in order for us to grow more Christ-like. God takes us just as we are -- seeing us -- as born-again believers -- justified through Jesus Christ's blood. God doesn't want a spiritual robot. God wants us to use the five senses He's given us For Him.

 

[Samson2020]

If he created mankind "Perfect" why were all sentenced to condemnation, thus born with a carnal mind, with the exception of Adam and Eve? And if mankind were Perfect then why crucify Jesus for them?
He isn't looking for spiritual robots he's looking for the few whom will and can turn away from the desires of the created realm and become worthy of the title sons, brethern of Jesus Christ. This is higher than Salvation!!!! Salvation is a starting point, there is a higher calling.
You say "we aren't to starve the carnal mind"???????? Romans 8:7 "Because the CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD: for It is NOT subject to the LAW OF GOD, neither indeed can be." If it is at odds with God and the mind of Christ then why would you want to let it live?
"For if ye live after the flesh(carnality), ye shall die: but if ye mortify(put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Again if mankind were perfect why say the above verse?
At the least tell me your story that I may know if you are indeed my sister!

 

[Samson2020]

To Hekurans point. There were multitudes that heard and saw Jesus, and many were his disciples until all but 12 left him. Many are called but few are chosen. The restoration of sight and hearing were miracles that he himself gave the Father credit for doing. These were done to prove who Jesus was and that the words he spoke were indeed the words of God himself. And possibly if anyone that received these miracles were indeed chosen to the higher calling it would make they're cross harder to bear, and suffering is what produces obedience. Without obedience God will never transfer his wealth of power, and wisdom to you or anyone else. But he did give it to Jesus who "became obedient even unto the death of the cross."

 

[Sue D.]

Jesus Christ was performing miracles to show the people that there was something more in this world than they , themselves. They were showing them the Power of God. Jesus Christ was here To show us the Father in heaven. God was here in human form to show us Himself.

those people put their faith in Jesus Christ in order To be healed. He even asked the man at the pool of Bethsada if he really wanted To be healed or was he content in his condition.

There's nothing in Scripture to indicate that those who were healed were called to any higher calling and would have a harder cross to carry.

You're thinking about God calling Paul -- Saul on the road to Emaus. He was called out of the life of innocently harming Christians to write lots of the New Testament. He did, indeed suffer hardships for Christ. Shipwrecked / prison / beatings. Not an easy life for him.

A person's suffering isn't necessarily to produce obedience. It CAN be -- but how about non-believers who are seeing Christ in the midst of our suffering or car accident or whatever. But there are also plenty of believers who are living okay and prospering.

Scripture Does say that we can Ask for wisdom in any situation. God Will give wisdom . It's relationship with us that God wants. When a person has the assurance of being loved by a person, that person will probably respect and want to work with them naturally.

Jesus Christ went to the cross Willingly --He Could have resisted the cross and called the angels to deliver Him. But He knew He really couldn't do that. His earthly 'job' was to die on the cross for our sins. By His shed blood we are healed.

You make 'transfer his wealth of power and wisdom' like a business deal.

Jesus Christ was / Is the Son of God. Deity.

J

 

[Samson2020]

Give me your personal testimony. I want to know who you are.

 

[Sue D.]

If he created mankind "Perfect" why were all sentenced to condemnation, thus born with a carnal mind, with the exception of Adam and Eve? And if mankind were Perfect then why crucify Jesus for them?
He isn't looking for spiritual robots he's looking for the few whom will and can turn away from the desires of the created realm and become worthy of the title sons, brethern of Jesus Christ. This is higher than Salvation!!!! Salvation is a starting point, there is a higher calling.
You say "we aren't to starve the carnal mind"???????? Romans 8:7 "Because the CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD: for It is NOT subject to the LAW OF GOD, neither indeed can be." If it is at odds with God and the mind of Christ then why would you want to let it live?
"For if ye live after the flesh(carnality), ye shall die: but if ye mortify(put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Again if mankind were perfect why say the above verse?
At the least tell me your story that I may know if you are indeed my sister!

Adam and Eve made the mistake of listening to satan rather than trusting God's Word. And, yes, Adam and Eve were created perfect.

Because God has All knowledge of Everything that will happen. He prepared for the cross from the beginning.

The first shedding of blood was the skins that God provided for Adam and Eve to replace the leaves that They had provided for themselves as their own covering when they realized that they were naked before God. Previously they had experienced Innocent nakedness. As soon as they ate the forbidden fruit, their eyes were opened -- loss of innocence. God replaced their efforts of 'good works' with the shedding of innocent blood of the animal world around them.

just saw your newest post. Okay I'll share who I am.

I've been a born-again believer since I've been a teen-ager. Christian parents who brought us to church -- conservative Baptist -- from early on. I had a great Head - knowledge of Bible -- of salvation. But after a while, I realized that I wasn't really sure Of my personal salvation. I went to our church camps most every year. The first year the counselor asked each of us during camp devotional time when we were saved and who led us to the Lord. There were lots of girls in the cabin and my turn never came. But I Also realized that I hadn't done that. No one had led me to Christ. But we all ended up going forward as a group for believer's baptism cause none of 'us' had been baptized yet. One of the other campers Had asked about salvation and did accept Christ as her personal Savior. I realized I could have done that, too, but didn't. So -- I ended up getting baptized by immersion with lot of other girls my age. The Next year i couldn't go to camp cause my sister was getting married. So -- the campers came back and told about their time at camp, as usual. This time they said that they made sure Of their salvation that week. So -- pastor let the congregation know that no one had to walk an aisle to be saved. That a person could pray / talk to God about their uncertainties and accept Him right 'then and there'. So -- that evening-- I did exactly that. Talked to God and thanked him For my salvation and Then a wonderful peace came into my heart. No longer any doubt -- only Peace. It was wonderful. Well -- I'd shared more with God then than I'm sharing 'here'. The point Is that there's never been any doubt about my personal Salvation. It Also meant that I felt a need to be baptized again. This time as a born-again believer. And several other teens my age did the same thing. But I was doing it on my own -- not as part of a group. So -- This time - it was salvation First and Then baptism by immersion.

Does that answer your question as to who I am? Anymore will be on 'conversations'.

I'm very close to not doing forums any more. One of my interests has been in Doctrinal apologetics -- what a person believes and why they believe it.