The “Letting” Mind
“When James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the ship captain tried to turn him back, saying, “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages.” To that, Calvert replied, “We died before we came here.”” (Ministry127)
Why would a man say that when facing a potential life and death situation? He was thinking like Jesus. He had the “mind of God.”
The word “let” is a verb defined as “not prevent or forbid; allow.” The Scripture tells us to “let” the mind of Christ – Jesus Himself be in us. What we think, how we think, and why we think is to be placed under the influence and direction of Jesus. If we are not careful, we let a lot of worldly or wrong thinking impact our mind. We must allow the mind of Christ to help us navigate life and not allow the world to do our thinking for us.
Have you “let” the mind of God to control your thoughts? Will you let the mind of Jesus control your thinking today?
Our word “let” is found in Philippians 2:5-8 which teaches, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
The mind of Jesus will lead us to four ways of thinking:
- A real humility about self.
- A sincere priority of pleasing our God.
- A vibrant call to serve others.
- A willingness to give your life to the Lord.
Do any of these thinking perspectives ring true in your life? Consider the “what, how, and why” that your mind is thinking. Ask the Lord to help you think like Jesus. From the moment you “let” all your decisions and thought processes will filter through the Word of God and the Will of God. Like missionary Calvert, your mind can think like Jesus – all to the glory of God.
EDC Christian 