THE MIND OF CHRIST

"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows 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 know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:11-16, NASB).

Devotion 11 of 28

THE MIND OF THE FLESH

    I cannot leave this aspect of our study without referring to the extended commentary of the Holy Spirit on the "mind of the flesh." It is the opposite of "the mind of Christ." Some speak of "the mind of Christ" as though it belonged exclusively to the Apostles, or were optional in Kingdom life. They will allow the individual to lack "the mind of Christ," and still be a "Christian." God makes no such allowance.

    "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness" (Rom 8:5-10, NASB).

      Behold what is said about the fleshly or carnal mind. Tell me if you think it is serious enough to call for your attention.

1. Those who set their minds on the flesh are living according to the flesh.
2. To be carnally minded does not lead to death, it IS death, or separation from life and God.
3. The carnal mind is enmity, or hostile against God.
4. It is not subject to the law of God.
5. It cannot be subject to the law of God.
6. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God--it is an impossibility.

      It is difficult to think of something being more serious than thinking in the flesh, or having a carnal mind.

    The "Spirit of Christ" and "the mind of Christ" are so entwined they cannot be separated. There simply is no room in the life of faith for any other mind. No other mindset is accepted. In fact, any other framework of thought is "hostile against God." It not only is an affront to God, He is pledged to destroy it. As it is written, "For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate'" (1 Cor 1:19, NIV).

    All of this is perfectly reasonable to faith. Salvation, after all, is, among other things, deliverance from the state of nature, which has been corrupted by sin. How is it possible for the realm from which we have been delivered to offer us spiritual advantages? Were it possible for such to occur, we would not have required salvation in the first place. This is so elementary, that anyone who truly believes on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ will see it. However, to the mind of the flesh, it will appear utterly absurd.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, grant me grace to make war on the fleshly mind, refusing to view things as a man.

-- Tomorrow: BEHOLDING AND LIVING --