All genuine Christians must have had faith for salvation by grace through faith in Christ as Savior. Yet, the plan of God is to also renew and sanctify or set apart our soul’s mindset unto Him. This is called sanctification, which is accomplished in the very same way of faith in Christ for His accomplishment “in us.” “As (in the same way) ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so (also) walk ye in him: (Colossians 2:6)

The fact is that our “mind” is the leading part of our soul that needs the Lord’s sanctification. Thus, Paul wrote; “Let this mind (Gk. phroneo, mindset or continuing attitude) be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5).

What was Jesus’ mindset? It’s notable that the Lord Jesus’ mindset while on earth was that He, as “the Son” could do nothing of Himself. He judged things as the father judged or viewed them and did the will of the Father. What He then did, He also can and will do in us, so long as we have the same mindset of relying upon Him.

Being a Christian eventually leads us to realize our fallen mind has a mind of its own; it’s a mind of self-interest and self-concerns... that operates independent of the lord and the truth of God’s word.

This is the fallen fleshly mind that lead us to be self-reliant, which is the antipathy (opposite) of the proper mindset of the mature Christian who has come to realize their reliance must be upon their Almighty Lord who is ever-present in them, and cares for them.

Our mind needs to become sanctified, separated from our old mindset and old ways of thinking. Thankfully God has given us His “sure word” that we can rely upon. Paul wrote; “… who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind (Gk. nous, intellect) of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16) His mind abides in our spirit. Can you believe that you “have the mind of Christ”?

Thus, the believer is of two minds, one is the fallen “mind of the flesh” that is impotent and opposes God, the other is Christ’s mind of “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:2a) that empowers us to “walk” in accord with Him. We can adopt Him mind as we yield to Him and His word of truth within us.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove (Gk., dokimazo, discern and allow) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Have you ever been plagued with thoughts in your mind that sometimes keeps you a wake in the middle of the night. The fact is that the Lord offers us peaceful sleep. R.E. Fenelon, a wonderful Christian mystic, wrote of peaceful sleep, 500 years ago,

“That the presence of God calms the spirit, gives a peaceful slumber and repose (rest), even during the daytime, and in the midst of all labors. How sweet thus to rest, with the mind free from all disturbing emotions, and desires, and all active thought, and to fall into a divine slumber”

Fenelon’s book “Let Go” is a tremendous little book that I heartily recommend to all believers – it’s a great encouragement in learning dependence upon the Lord that leads us to rest in Him.

Many of us have nagging concerns spring from the kind of thoughts that want to avoid suffering difficulties. But frankly, we know the words of Jesus that believers have been promised difficulties in the Christian life. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation (Gk. thlipsis, pressure): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33). Paul tells us we have been “crucified unto the world” and “the world is crucified unto us.” (Gal. 6:14 paraphrased). In Christ, we are dead toward the world and its aims; and it is deadly unto us.

Have you ever wondered why the Lord does not answer your concerns or take away your cares and anxieties that you have in anticipation of something that may go wrong in the future, that has not yet gone wrong? I have! Of course, we would have to recognize that most of these anticipated situations never do come to pass. But our better answer to this is not in such rationalization, but rather in fellowshipping with the Lord about “every thing.”

“Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Personally, in a recent time of communing with “prayer and supplication” unto the Lord, I asked Him about these same issues concerning speculative anxieties that sometimes interfere with my sleep. I was pleased and thankful to have His reply as He reminded me of the several verses below. Note in these following verses the phrase; “in the time of trouble” as found in David’s Psalms and Isaiah.

Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalm 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

Isaiah 33:2 O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.

The Lord graciously spoke to me in my spirit, letting me know by confirming His written “word” that He is ever-present to help me, and He will supply me “in a time of trouble” … but not until then, not beforehand. I broke out in the thanksgiving that is due Him. All I need to do is trust Him and thus set those troublesome thoughts aside, taking a new mindset of trust… with thanksgiving that He will come to my aid in whatever form He chooses, that I might endure all things… when it is needed.

Until then, we walk by faith as the evidence of things “confidently expected.” “Hope” for Christian believers is not a wish, but rather a “confident expectation.” Having such “confidence,” we can ceaselessly thank Him for “all things,” as He is working in and through “all things” unto our eternal good (cf. Romans 8:28-29). Christs work of the cross on our behalf is “Finished”! We are saved and have Him as our Savior, now in us. But still “… it is God which worketh in you (in your soul) both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

Paul wrote; 2Cor. 3:17a “Now the Lord is that spirit.” His very presence is by His Spirit now within our spirit.  We are forever one with Him in spirit.  “he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” (1 Cor. 6:17)

Paul also wrote of the mind;

“For they that are after (live after) the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally (fleshly) minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6)

Of course, we must contend with “the accuser of the brethren” who shoots his fiery darts of doubt into our minds, tempting us to disbelieve the Lord’s all-sufficiency and His provision for us in times of trouble. Recall that the Serpent originally tempted Eve with doubts about the Lord’s words to Adam and her. Knowing and standing on the truth of “the word of God” aids us in batting down such vain and destructive thoughts.

Thus, Paul further tells us how to deal with these imposed Serpentine thoughts.  “Casting down imaginations (of the mind), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:5)