Have you noticed?
Many born-again Christians still think, talk, walk, and live their day-to-day lives, just like the world. They are truly Christians, but they’re not experiencing or enjoying the awesome power of Christian living.
STUCK IN THE MUCK
That’s because even though their spirit was made alive to God, when they accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, their mind is still stuck in this world’s muck. The Apostle Paul described them as being “conformed to this world.”
Not judging anyone… just sayin’..
If you constantly struggle with addictions, lust, or sexual sins, you are still “conformed to this world.” If your mind is filled with anxiety, worry, depression, and fear, you are still “conformed to this world.” If you realize that you are often critical, angry, and harsh with others, you are still “conformed to this world.”
But here is the good news! Your situation is not hopeless! There is a way out… a way that leads to transformation, a way to enjoy a Christ-centered, Christ-reflecting life!
Are you ready? Let’s go get it!
BE MOTIVATED BY JESUS’ MINDSET!
“Let this MIND be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5)
The word translated as “mind” in this verse is the Greek word “phroneo“. It’s found in many passages in the New Testament, and it refers to a pattern of thinking, an attitude, or a mindset.
Got that? Now here are two additional translations of the above verse that speak of our developing a mindset like Jesus:
“And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let His mindset become your motivation.”
(Philippians 2:5, Passion Translation)
“In other words, adopt the mindset of Jesus, the Anointed. Live with His attitude in your hearts.” (Philippians 2:5, Voice Translation)
Phroneo can be defined as “an established set of attitudes, beliefs, or ways of thinking that shape how a person perceives the world and themselves in it.”
Phroneo represents not just what you know, but also what you do with what you know, and how it impacts your lifestyle.
It looks like this concept has the potential to be life-changing. And it is. Let’s continue.
THOUGHTS ARE THE SEEDS FOR ACTIONS
Remember the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) bracelets many Christians wore a few years ago? They were designed to remind us to consider how to order our behavior to be more like Jesus.
That was a good idea, but I think we should get everyonewearing some WWJT (What Would Jesus Think?) bracelets first. That would be a logical starting place because the Bible teaches us that our thoughts are the seeds for our actions.
If we want to do “Jesus-things”, we must first think “Jesus-thoughts”!
We must first have a “Jesus-mindset” then we will exhibit “Jesus-behavior”!
Folks in the South, observing someone who is speaking or behaving irrationally, will say, “He’s not in his right mind.”
Makes sense. It all starts in our minds… beliefs, words, and deeds… good, bad, and ugly, even crazy behavior (I know about that)… all of it… rooted in our souls… its origins in our minds
The truth is this: until we adopt the Master’s mindset, and allow it to change the way we think, talk, walk, and live, we are not in our “right mind” either!
LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU!
The word “phroneo” is very versatile and is used by the Apostle Paul in several ways throughout his epistle to the believers in Philippi. We could say this word was the theme of the entire epistle. Paul says:
“How natural it is that I should feel (phroneo) as I do about you for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God…” (Philippians 1:7, The Living Bible)
“… make my joy complete by being of the same mind (phroneo) having the same love toward one another, knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose (phroneo) and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ.”
(Philippians 2:2, Amplified Bible)
“All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude (phroneo). And if in any respect you have a different attitude (phroneo), that too God will make clear to you.”
(Philippians 3:15, Amplified Bible)
“… meditating on the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” (Philippians 4:8, The Message)
What Paul was saying to the Philippian church, he was also saying to the Universal Church, the Body of Christ:
PAUL: Let everything that is an element of the CHRIST-MINDSET also be IN YOU!
● Philippians 1:7 – An attitude of gratitude
● Philippians 2:2 – A heart’s desire for unity
● Philippians 2:5 – A spirit of humility
● Philippians 3:15 – A zeal for God
● Philippians 4:8 – A personality of positivity
Okay, I’m ready for more! What do we need to do to start thinking more like Jesus? How can we develop His attitude and mindset?
RENEW AND RENOVATE YOUR MIND WITH GOD’S WORD!
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
The Greek word translated as renewing is “anakainosis” which means “to renovate; to make completely new again”.
Think of an old, delapidated house that we want to renovate. We don’t just paint it. We replace the broken pipes. We rewire the electricity. We put in a new central heat and air-conditioning system. We put on a new roof. We landscape the property. We make it new. This is more than superficial change. This is a total makeover.
In the same way, anakainosis is the process that produces a radical transformation of a person’s soul (mind, will, and emotions).
Anakainosis totally changes our mindset, our attitudes, our desires, and our way of talking and living. It produces a fresh, clean, heart and a renovated mind that is in tune and in harmony with the heart and mind of Christ.
It begins when we invite Holy Spirit to plant the seed of God’s Word deeply in the soil of our hearts.
“…receive and welcome the Word, which implanted and rooted in your hearts, contains the power to save your souls.”
(James 1:21, Amplified Classic Edition)
THE WORD WORKS WHEN YOU WORK IT!
Notice this, because it’s very important. The scripture says the Word “contains the power to save your soul.” But the power of the Word is not released until you devote some time and effort to make it work in your life.
If the Word worked automatically, you could just go to church, stretch out, and sleep while the preacher was preaching, and the Word would just fill and flood your mind. You’d wake up with a completely renewed mind. You would instantly become God’s man (or woman) of faith and power! But it doesn’t work that way.
You have to “receive and welcome” the Word. You have to cooperate with the Word as it changes your thinking. And you have to apply God’s Word in your life. Then the Word will release its power to save (Greek word “sozo” = heal, deliver, prosper, and make whole) your soul.
“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit…”
(Hebrews 4:12, Amplified Classic Edition)
I want that! I want the powerful Word of God “active, operative, energizing and effective in my life! What about you?
Let’s make this confession of faith together:
Holy Spirit, I admit it! I’ve had some stinking thinking, and I need a check-up from the neck up.
I invite you, yes, I welcome you, to work in my heart, and prepare my soul for the seed of God’s Word to be deeply planted within me.
I know that as I diligently renew my mind, the saving, healing power of the Word will be released in me, and I will be powerfully transformed, reflecting the glory of my Lord and King!
In Jesus’ all-powerful name, so be it!
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Ours is a labor of love. We have never asked anyone to support this ministry financially. We don’t sell merchandise. We don’t host advertising. We don’t solicit donations. We have never received any income through this site.
Christ is, and will always be, our sufficiency, meeting all of our needs.
But we have humbly asked, and do ask again, that our readers would generously support our ministry Partners in the Philippines, Student Life Organization, Inc.
God has given Co-Founders Ian Rustia and Anne Ruiz a clear vision and an open door to reach many in their nation, and beyond, with the love of Christ. They powerfully and faithfully demonstrate His love through outreaches to the needy, the marginalized, and the often forgotten… children and young people with disabilities and special needs, and their families.
SLOI has only been incorporated as a non-profit ministry for slightly more than a year, yet they have already produced much fruit for the kingdom of God. Grace and I consider it a privilege to share in their work, and we earnestly ask that you would join us in supporting their ministry through your prayers and giving.
PLEASE DO THESE THREE THINGS:
- Pray for the continued success of this ministry and that God would supply every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
- Check out and subscribe to the SLOI website to learn more about their latest outreaches and ministry events. You may do this by clicking on this link:
NEWS FLASH! The SLOI Newsletter is now featured on our site! Just click on the button found on the homepage!
- Please give generously to support this ministry. You may do so through the Paypal link to their newly opened ministry account:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/studentlifeinc2025
⁶ “Remember this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously, that blessings may come to someone will also reap generously and with blessings.
⁷ Let each one give as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver whose heart is in his giving.
⁸ And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
⁹ As it is written, he [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; he gives to the poor; his deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!”
(2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-9, AMPC)
Thank you! We pray that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you give freely and cheerfully in Jesus’ name!
Joe and Grace
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