Healthy Minds, Healthy Christians
Here is an article that I found in a Christian Magazine recently, and it is so very good, and so well written, that I have just copied it out for us all to contemplate and to gain strength and victory.
Quote; Our thoughts often govern our behaviour. We regularly act out what we think. Our actions and attitudes are deeply affected by our thought patterns. Positive, Christ-centred thoughts lead to positive, Christ-centred actions. Healthy minds produce healthy Christians; unhealthy minds result in unhealthy Christians. In this article we will study how to develop healthy thought patterns as the motivating force for Christ-like actions.
1/What admonition did the Apostle Paul give the believers in Philippi? Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
2/ According to Philippians 2:6-8, what is the mind of Christ? “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
The “mind of Christ” is the unselfish spirit of self-sacrificing love. Christ’s mind is revealed in his humble birth, His compassionate ministry, and his atoning death on the cross for our sins. Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel state it well: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28). Lucifer desired to dominate. Christ desired to serve. Lucifer wanted the highest position to satisfy his ego. Christ chose the lowest position to redeem us. The mind of Christ is the mind of self-sacrificial service for others.
3/ How can we develop the self-sacrificing spirit of Christ? How can our thought patterns be changed to reflect the mind of Christ? Compare these 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord;” Colossians 3:1-3 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
When we behold Christ in His Word, our thoughts will reflect His mind. We gradually and imperceptibly change to that upon which we allow our minds to dwell. Quote: “It is a law of the mind that it gradually adapts to the subjects upon which it is trained to dwell.” {PP 598}
4/ Why is it so vitally important to guard our thoughts? Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.” To the ancient Hebrews, the heart was the seat of affections and thoughts. Solomon admonishes us to guard our hearts (our minds) well, because that is where the issues of our lives are determined. Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.”
5/ What practical instructions did Paul give the church at Philippi in regarding protecting our minds from the bombardment of secular, worldly influences? Philippians 4:7-8 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.” {Please note well those specific things that produce those healthy thoughts}
6/ In his letter to the believers in Rome, Paul discussed two possibilities for the mind of the Christian? What were they? Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Each day we are either being conformed to this world or transformed by the Grace of Christ. The Holy Spirit longs to renew our minds through the power of the Gospel so we can reflect the love of Jesus in our daily lives.
7/ How can we deal with deeply ingrained thought patterns that seem to entangle us in faulty thinking? Compare these; James 4:7-8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” As we daily submit our thoughts to God, the Holy Spirit works within us to create new thought patterns. As old, negative, self-centred thoughts rush into our minds we resist in the power of Christ, “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Cor 10:5). It is sometimes a great struggle to think the thoughts of heaven. But by God’s Grace, and through his power, we can reveal His loving character and become healthy Christians in a sin-sick world. {Mark A Finley}
If we go back to his opening Text; Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” how well do we measure up? Back to Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.”
If each one of us were to make a concerted effort to “Feed the Mind;” Christ like; we would then live like, act like and be like Jesus Christ and like the Apostles of old, “Change the World.” “Your time starts, Now!”
