Having the Mind of Christ: What It Means and Why It Matters Today

The Biblical Context

The phrase “have the mind of Christ” comes directly from 1 Corinthians 2:16, where Paul writes, “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

Paul was writing to a church in Corinth that struggled with division, pride, and confusion about what true wisdom looked like. In their culture, intellectualism and eloquence were prized. But Paul reminds them that real wisdom isn’t found in human philosophy—it’s found in Christ Himself. To have the mind of Christ means to share in His way of thinking, seeing, and discerning, through the Spirit of God.

It’s not about knowing everything Jesus knows. It’s about aligning our hearts and thoughts with His—living in humility, love, and obedience to the Father.

“The mind of Christ isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about loving like Him, thinking like Him, and walking humbly with Him.”

What It Means for Us Today

To have the mind of Christ today means we don’t process life the same way the world does. Instead of making decisions solely based on ambition, comfort, or cultural trends, we seek God’s perspective.

It appears to be choosing forgiveness over bitterness, service over selfishness, and truth over convenience. It’s tuning our thoughts to Christ’s character, so that in a world shouting a thousand voices, His becomes the one we listen to.

Paul echoes this in Philippians 2:5, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” He goes on to describe Christ’s humility—how He emptied Himself, became a servant, and obeyed to the point of death. That’s the heartbeat of the mind of Christ: humble, sacrificial love.

Practical Applications

So, how can we live this out in our daily lives?

1. Immerse in Scripture – Christ’s mind is revealed in God’s Word. Let His voice shape the way you think, not just the culture around you. (Psalm 119:105)
2. Pray for Transformation – Ask the Holy Spirit to renew your thoughts and mind. Romans 12:2 reminds us that transformation comes by the renewing of our minds.
3. Practice Humility – Before responding, posting, or making decisions, ask: Am I choosing pride, or am I choosing Christ’s humility?
4. Seek Unity, Not Division – In a polarised world, the mind of Christ calls us to be peacemakers, not stirrers of strife. (Matthew 5:9)
5. Serve Others Daily – Look for simple ways to love and serve, especially when it costs you. That’s Christ’s heart in action.

A Final Thought

Having the mind of Christ doesn’t mean perfection. It means pursuit—a daily surrender where our thoughts, choices, and actions begin to resemble His more closely. The more we walk with Him, the more natural His mind becomes in us.

Written by Brahm van Wyk 

For more Biblical teachings, listen to Bible Perspective or read our daily devotional, The Word for Today.

The views expressed herein are those of the presenters and writers, not Radio Pulpit.