Practice the presence within

[Guest man]

but I was wondering what do you think it means exactly when the word says "we have the mind of Christ?"

I think it means that we have access to the Holy Spirit.

We have the ability to know right from wrong.

If you let Him, He will guide you.

[dcampsart]

I can see there is certainly our part to play but oh... to play it continually! I wish I could stand and face the most wicked of men and be flooded with the thoughts of Christ and feel what he feels - even for the most wretched.

You "can", all it takes is practice.

I'm tired of my old Marine Corps brainwashing and programming that is filled with STUPID pride:

That's not what's holding you back, it's the guy in the mirror.

You're right man. It does come down to me. I need to quit hiding behind excuses. I believe I read in your testimony somewhere you were former military. Do you ever feel some of the way things were crammed into you has affected your walk to this day?

[Guest shiloh357]

I was wondering what do you think it means exactly when the word says "we have the mind of Christ?"

Well since it is a biblical phrase, we need to examine it the way Paul intended us to understand it in 1 Corinthians.

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:7-16)

Paul makes the case way up ther in verse 11 that just as no one can know your thoughts expect you, likewise on a much grander scale, no one is capable of knowing or comprehending God's thoughts except His thoughts. Yet Paul begins to make the case that as Christians, we have been given (albeit in very limited measure) the ability to receive and to comoprehend that which is in the mind of God, and this is done by the Holy Spirit. The fact that we are able to discern spiritual truth that we were previously unable to discern or comprehend is just a foretaste of what is to come.

Paul further points out that the natural person is unable to receive the things of God as they are foolishness to Him. In verse 15, Paul states spiritual person, the person enlightened by the Holy Spirit is able to discern all things that are revealed to Him by the Holy Spirit, which leads Paul to quote from Isaiah 40:13:

Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel?

(Isaiah 40:13)

It is a rhetorical question offered by Isaiah, but Paul uses it to make the point that just no one can understand fully understand God, His nature, etc. we have the mind of Christ, which just another way of saying that we have been filled with His disposition, His desires, His purposes and are able to receive His teachings. Peter refers to this in different way, in 2 Peter. He says that we have been made partakers in the Divine nature.

[dcampsart]

Can anyone elaborate on what Paul meant when he said:

Romans 7:25

I thank God

Edited December 28, 2008 by dcampsart

[Guest shiloh357]

Can anyone elaborate on what Paul meant when he said:

Romans 7:25

I thank God

[dcampsart]

For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him?

Can I assume this is the regenerate spirit of a man?

Paul further points out that the natural person is unable to receive the things of God as they are foolishness to Him. In verse 15, Paul states spiritual person, the person enlightened by the Holy Spirit is able to discern all things that are revealed to Him by the Holy Spirit

Again, here the term "spiritual person" means any regenerated man or woman... yes?

[backontrack]

God inhabits the praise of his people! This also will help you in your walk to become closer to him not only inside but outside as well. We must learn to be inseason all the time and by praising him he inhabits our thoughts and the holy spirit comes to our guide.

That's a really beautiful thought. Our carnal natures don't want to praise God. But knowing He inhabits our praise helps me. I hadn't thought of it enabling Him to inhabit my thoughts, tho. I really need that.

God does not "inhabit" our thoughts. God is all-knowing. He already knows every thought you have or will have even before you will think it. He knows that is, all tha will be or that can be.

But Oh how he Loves us to Praise him the most High. He really does inhabit his people when they Praise him, Try It!

[backontrack]

I can see there is certainly our part to play but oh... to play it continually! I wish I could stand and face the most wicked of men and be flooded with the thoughts of Christ and feel what he feels - even for the most wretched.

You "can", all it takes is practice.

I'm tired of my old Marine Corps brainwashing and programming that is filled with STUPID pride:

That's not what's holding you back, it's the guy in the mirror.

You're right man. It does come down to me. I need to quit hiding behind excuses. I believe I read in your testimony somewhere you were former military. Do you ever feel some of the way things were crammed into you has affected your walk to this day?

Next time before you go out into the World put on some good worship music and out Loud worship God and tell him Just how much you Love him. See what happens! You will carry this with you all day Long. I am learening that God really likes us to do just this! The Angels sing and Worship God 24 7 are we any different that God would not reward those who Love him!

He is so Good!

[backontrack]

Can anyone elaborate on what Paul meant when he said:

Romans 7:25

I thank God

[Guest shiloh357]

God inhabits the praise of his people! This also will help you in your walk to become closer to him not only inside but outside as well. We must learn to be inseason all the time and by praising him he inhabits our thoughts and the holy spirit comes to our guide.

That's a really beautiful thought. Our carnal natures don't want to praise God. But knowing He inhabits our praise helps me. I hadn't thought of it enabling Him to inhabit my thoughts, tho. I really need that.

God does not "inhabit" our thoughts. God is all-knowing. He already knows every thought you have or will have even before you will think it. He knows that is, all tha will be or that can be.

But Oh how he Loves us to Praise him the most High. He really does inhabit his people when they Praise him, Try It!

Sorry, but He lives within me when I praise Him and when I don't. The Bible does not say He inhabits His people when they praise Him. That is something you are making up.