We can’t feel like Christ until we think like Him …

Science and the Bible are not great contradictions. In spite of what is often stated by the uninformed, science upholds key parts of the Bible in significant ways.

That includes the science of psychology.

A key tenant of the school of cognitive-behavioral therapy is this concept: Our thoughts create our emotions, and our thoughts and emotions together create our behavior.

Thus, if you want to change your behavior, you must change your thinking. If you want to change your emotions, you also must change your thinking. And if you want to change your thinking, well you’ve got to change the way you think!

Key to our experience as human beings, according to psychology, is how we think.

To that, I think the Apostle Paul would give a hearty amen! Just look at what he wrote to the Christians in Rome …

“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace,” Romans 8:6 and “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect,” Romans 12:2.

And to the Christians in Ephesus …

“Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes,” Ephesians 4:21-23.

And to the Christians in Corinth …

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

The Apostle Paul understood that for us to be disciples of Jesus Christ who are being transformed to be like Christ, our minds must be transformed. In order for us to feel about God, others, and things, the way Jesus does, the way we think must be transformed so that we think like Christ.

Look at what Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi …

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had,” Philippians 2:5.

And, again, to the Corinthian believers …

“For, ‘Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?’ But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ,” 1 Corinthians 2:16.

We won’t get our feelings about God, others, or this world right until our minds are changed so that we have “the mind of Christ.”

Davon Huss, minister at Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ, tells the following story …

“In his best selling book called, ‘Into Thin Air,’ Jon Krakauer relates the hazards that plagued some climbers as they attempted to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Andy Harris, one of the expedition leaders, stayed at the peak too long and on his descent, he became in dire need of oxygen. Harris radioed the base camp and told them about his predicament. He mentioned that he had come across a cache of oxygen canisters left by the other climbers but they were all empty. The climbers who already passed the canisters on their own descent knew they were not empty, but full. They pleaded with him on the radio to make use of them but it was to no avail. Harris was starved for oxygen but he continued to argue that the canisters were empty.

“The problem was that the lack of what he needed had so disoriented his mind that though he was surrounded by something that would give him life, he continued to complain of its absence. The lack of oxygen had ravaged his capacity to recognize what was right in front of him.”

Just as Harris’ inability to think right placed his life in peril, our not thinking right does the same. We cannot think clearly about ourselves, our God, and all of His creation without thinking with the mind of Christ. We cannot love, care, empathize, or have the compassion of Christ without being able to think like Him.

Why is it that it seems like so many Christians don’t feel the same way about people that Jesus Himself would? Their thinking is disoriented because they do not have the mind of Christ.

Kyle Idleman wrote in his book, “Not A Fan”, the following …

“Most of us don’t mind Jesus making some minor change in our lives but Jesus wants to turn our lives upside down. Fans don’t mind him doing a little touch up work, but Jesus wants complete renovation. Fans come to Jesus thinking tune up, but Jesus is thinking overhaul. Fans think a little makeup is fine, but Jesus is thinking makeover. Fans think a little decorating is required, but Jesus wants a complete remodel. Fans want Jesus to inspire them, but Jesus wants to interfere with their lives.”

To follow in the footsteps of Jesus as a disciple instead of a “fan,” we need God to transform our thinking, to renew our minds and attitudes, so that we can think like Jesus. Then we can feel like Jesus. And then, we can behave like Jesus!

Scotty