Are You A Free Thinker?

Philippians 2:5 KJV 1900

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Introduction

Our thoughts show what we are.

Mind Reader?

We cannot read minds, we can only know what another is thinking by how they externalize their thoughts in their words and action.

If we could read the minds of others, we would know how to best deal with them.

Life is torture to a person who acts contrary to their beliefs.

James calls such a one “unstable” and likens him to “a wave of the sea” James 1:8

James 1:8 KJV 1900

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

The God-controlled mind

We ceased to be a freethinker and began to think like Christ the moment we got saved.

When a sinner believes in Christ, the heart is not only purified, but something happens to his thought process as well. It is changed.

We now possess a sound or disciplined mind.

In 2Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 1900

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Paul tells us what kind of a mind God gives to a saved person: “For God hath not given us the spirit [thought process] of fear [timidity, cowardice], but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind [sōphronismós, ‘a disciplined mind’].”

This is not a passive process

Paul informs the Philippians Phil. 2:5

Philippians 2:5 KJV 1900

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

We are commanded to continually (be in) have the mind of Christ.

The words “be in” here is the present imperative voice.

The greatest possession in life is not money or other worldly goods, but the freedom to think as we please.

Therefore we can determine who or what is controlling our thoughts. i.e God through His Word

It is our duty to imitate the humility demonstrated by Christ.

Christ gave up this glory to accomplish the purpose of His for which He was sent.

Although Jesus had always been in the form of God ( John 10:30

John 10:30 KJV 1900

I and my Father are one.

; Phil. 2:6

Philippians 2:6 KJV 1900

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

(Phil. 2:7

Philippians 2:7 KJV 1900

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Christ knowingly accepted the crucifixion

( Phil. 2:8

Philippians 2:8 KJV 1900

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

The result of which is that God exalts Him.

( Phil. 2:9

Philippians 2:9 KJV 1900

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Christ’s future rule was assured because of His present obedience

(Phil. 2:8-9

Philippians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: