“My child, pay attention to my words; listen closely to what I say. Don’t ever forget my words; keep them always in mind. They are the key to life for those who find them; they bring health to the whole body. Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” (Proverbs 4:20-23) [NCV]
“We can understand these things, because we have THE MIND OF CHRIST!” (1 Corinthians 2:16) [NLT]
“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5) [NCV]
10 Characteristics of Thinking Like Jesus (5-10):
- He never worried about pleasing everyone.
“I only try to please the One who sent me.” (John 5:30) [NCV]
- He depended on God’s power instead of His own.
“I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He can only do what he sees his Father doing…” (John 5:1) [NIV]
- He forgave His enemies and those who hurt Him.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) [NIV]
- He was willing to sacrifice for others.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” (1 John 3:16) [ESV]
- He came to do God’s will.
“I came…to do what God wants me to do, not what I want to do.” (John 6:38) [NCV]
- He had an eternal perspective.
“We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Now he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne.” (Hebrews 12:2) [GW]
HOW CAN I LEARN TO THINK LIKE JESUS?
• Study His life and words in the Bible.
“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it.” (Hebrews 12:2) [MSG]
• Ask God to show you the meaning and how it applies to your life today.
“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your Word!” (Psalm 119:18) [TLB]