Tag: Holy Spirit

The Mind of Christ

I Cor 2:10-13 (NIV)
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Good grief. I have never thought about this. Check out verse 11 again… “…no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God…” and verse 12, “…we have…the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand…”

For example, I may be close to my wife. I may be the closest human being alive to her. I know her better than anyone, but I cannot read her mind. (No jokes please – yes it’s true that no man can read a woman’s mind). Only her spirit, knows what she is thinking. My spirit is only privy to my thoughts. My spirit cannot read anyone else’s thoughts, no matter what we see on TV.

Given that chain of logic, only God’s thoughts could be known by Him were it not part of His plan to deposit a part of His Spirit into each of us who have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When we make that profession of faith, and die to our selves, we get a filling of His Spirit whereby He can make known to us His thoughts!

Now when I read “..you have the mind of Christ…” just a few verses later (v16) it takes on a whole new meaning.

I forgot everything…

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters,* I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.* 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Dang!!!  I wish I wouldn’t stop reading at the chapter breaks! This is a continuation of yesterday’s journal. Two statements of Paul’s stand out in these 5 verses. “… I decided that … I would forget everything except Jesus Christ…“ and in verse 4 “… I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.“

What would my life look like if I forgot everything but Jesus Christ and relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit? (with my best Paulie impersonation…) “Oh my gosh!”

Here’s the key. It’s two words in verse 2. “… I decided…“ That is the key. It’s making a premeditated choice to respond and do “X” before the heat of the battle or the throw of temptation.

If I forget everything but Jesus, then that means I forget all about me… all my pride, my selfishness, my wants, my desires, my laziness, my lack of discipline, my busy-ness, and so on and so on. It means I forget all about tomorrow’s schedule, the demands of my job, cheer practice, scouts, sports, tv, (whatever) and I remember Jesus. I spend time with him. I let the Holy Spirit lead me, even through the events of my day – the difference being the attitude of my heart. I do it out of worship and devotion to Him and not out of guilt or duty to something else, or out of my own selfish desires.

I am deciding to forget everything except Jesus Christ and to rely only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, help me make the same decision tomorrow and the next day. Amen.