Does a thought ever strike that surprises you, as in where did that come from? I don’t mean an unkind, nasty type of thought, but one that sheds insight into a person that allows you to see them as God might? Or perhaps you perceive that a friend running after money might actually being running from the Lord? Or you get the inkling that our culture’s obsession with cutting and mutilating our bodies and the bodies of our children point to a deeper need to connect with the God of the universe?

If so, you’re seeing evidence of a renewed mind. Paul wrote to the church members in Corinth teaching that those who follow Jesus have received the Holy Spirit so that we might understand the things freely given us by God. He goes on to contrast the Spirit of God with the natural spirit of the world. Those without God’s Holy Spirit cannot understand spiritual matters. They don’t have the capacity, and refusal to bow to Christ locks these folks out of such discernment.

But those indwelt with the Holy Spirit possess a not-so-secret power—the mind of Christ. Over time, the Lord trickles wisdom into our soul. With a willingness to submit, hang with the Lord in his silences and listen to his whispers, new ways of thinking develops.

A fresh mind develops in fits and starts. We begin to discern what is important and what it not, what might matter to the kingdom of God and what is dross. We learn to avoid issues and blunders. We see God all around us, we understand more than ever the lostness of man and the glory of being found. We treat our neighbors as we would like to be treated. Best of all, we enjoy the Lord and walk in his good graces.

Lean into the Lord. Give the Holy Spirit your life to do with as he wishes, then watch your soul expand as the mind of Christ develops within you.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Photo by Daniel Dan