Looking for True Spirituality 3 Mind of Christ

“The Mind of Christ”

Ruins of the ancient city Corinth

In addition to pointing out the importance and benefits of being spiritually-minded, the apostle Paul had much to say about what true spirituality is. To the Christians in the ancient city of Corinth, Paul explained the difference between a physical man, that is, a person who follows the impulses of the flesh, and a spiritual man, a person who cherishes spiritual things. Paul wrote:

“A physical man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.” On the other hand, Paul explained that the spiritual man is characterized by having “the mind of Christ.”—1 Corinthians 2:14-16.

Having “the mind of Christ” basically means having “the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

5 Now may the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant you to have among yourselves the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that unitedly+ you may with one voice* glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Romans 15:5-6)

5 Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus,+6 who, although he was existing in God’s form,+ gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.+ (Philippians 2:5-6)

In other words, a spiritual man is one who thinks as Jesus does and walks in His footsteps.

Cover of The Mind of Christ

21 In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you,+ leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely.+ (1 Peter 2:21)

4.1 Since Christ suffered in the flesh,+ you too arm yourselves with the same mental disposition;* because the person who has suffered in the flesh has desisted from sins,+ (1 Peter 4:1)

The more a person’s mind resembles that of Christ, the deeper his spirituality is and the closer he is to gaining “life and peace.”

11 And do this because you know the season, that it is already the hour for you to awake from sleep,+ for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. 12 The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore throw off the works belonging to darkness+ and let us put on the weapons of the light.+ 13 Let us walk decently+ as in the daytime, not in wild parties* and drunkenness, not in immoral intercourse and brazen conduct,*+ not in strife and jealousy.+ 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,+ and do not be planning ahead for the desires of the flesh.+ (Romans 13:11-14).

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Preceding articles:

Looking for True Spirituality 1 Intro

Looking for True Spirituality 2 Not restricted to an elite

Next: Looking for True Spirituality 4 Getting to Know the Mind of Christ

Dutch version of this article / De Nederlandse versie van dit artikel: Op zoek naar spiritualiteit 3 Zin van Christus

The beginning of the Dutch original version may be found:

De aanvang van de originele Nederlandse versie kan gevonden worden:

Op zoek naar spiritualiteit 1 Inleiding

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In whose footsteps do you want to walk?

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