Practicing the Mind of Christ

“For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.  'For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:11-16

Think like Jesus

What does it mean to “have the mind of Christ”?  Isn’t this something of which we as counselors should be aware? How can we make use of such a wonderful gift? In the most simplistic terms, believers are able through the power of the Spirit and the Word of God to know the thoughts of Jesus.  We have the amazing privilege to be able to think like Jesus. That is just staggering! But practically speaking, how does this happen?

Memorize/Meditate on Scripture

We all agree that the Bible is the sufficient Word of God, and that it should be memorized by those coming to us for help; but how many of us are diligently memorizing it ourselves? Do we actively participate in Scripture memorization and meditation, and do we understand its importance as we sit in the counselor’s seat?  It is through Scripture memory and meditation that we learn to think Jesus’s thoughts.

Purpose

Three reasons for a counselor to pursue memorizing and meditating on Scripture:

• To constantly grow in my knowledge and understanding of God’s Word, I should meditate on the Word and personally apply it. When we work hard at memorizing, and when we dig in and meditate on seemingly academic issues like word meanings and definitions, our wisdom and understanding grows. This is like putting more tools in a toolbox for the Holy Spirit to use. “I have more insight than all my teachers for I meditate on Your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.” 119:99-100
• As we listen to the people who come to us for help, we are sorting through their communication and praying for some words of hope and encouragement. Only the Holy Spirit knows exactly what they need. The more verses we have in our hearts and minds, the more we can understand the breadth of the Holy Spirit’s work in our and in others’ lives, as well as our needs and the needs of others. With a shallow and/or narrow understanding of the Word, we may treat every situation similarly, repeating the same verses over and over. But how much richer a time could it be if we knew, understood, meditated on more of the Scripture? Could it lead to a more personal and impactful interaction if we had more specific words to share? “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Pr. 25:11
• As we dive more deeply into complicated cases, numerous issues can be swimming around in our heads. At this point it is so helpful to have a full and growing treasure trove of Scripture also swimming around up there. The Holy Spirit is expert at bringing verses to mind that could apply, even more so, if we have been doing this within our own lives on a daily basis. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment…” Phil. 1:9

This is so simple. It is something that all counselors know. Yet often it falls off our “to do” list. Have you ever heard anyone at the end of life say, “I spent too much time memorizing and meditating on the Bible”?

Set a Goal

But how do we gather this treasure? Our lives, which can feel so busy and hectic, often threaten any time set aside for this practice.  I challenge you to start with something concrete, even something small.  Set a goal for your own scripture memory and meditation and protect that time.  In so doing, you will begin to develop the “mind of Christ”.  What a treasure!

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