Chiamaka NwekeBible Verse: Philippians 2:5
Focus: Learning to think and act like Christ through the renewing of our minds.
There is a quiet but profound revolution that takes place when a believer begins to think differently. Our attitudes—those deep-seated patterns of thinking and feeling—shape everything about us: how we respond to challenges, how we treat others, and how we experience our relationship with God. A negative, self-centered attitude can poison a life, while a Christlike attitude can transform it.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Philippian church from a Roman prison, addresses this transformative power with one of the most powerful commands in Scripture: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5, KJV). This is not a suggestion or a piece of good advice; it is a call to a fundamental reorientation of our inner lives. Paul is urging believers to adopt the very mindset of the Son of God—a mindset characterized by humility, self-sacrifice, and obedience.
This article explores what it means to let God transform our attitudes. We will examine the nature of the “mind of Christ,” understand the practical steps to cultivating this mindset, and discover the profound impact it has on our relationships and our witness.
Understanding the Context: The Mind of Christ
To truly grasp the power of Philippians 2:5, we must place it within its context. Paul is writing to a church that was facing internal challenges and external pressures. He had just urged them to make his “joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2). He was calling them to unity, and the foundation of that unity was a rejection of selfish ambition and vain conceit.
Paul instructs, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). This is a radically counter-cultural agenda. Our culture gives at least implicit permission to do whatever is legal to get ahead, even if it means shoving others out of the way. Paul is summoning Jesus’ friends to take their cues from Someone else.
Then, in verse 5, he gives the ultimate example: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”. The “mindset” Paul is referring to is not just a feeling or a fleeting thought. The Greek word is phroneite, which means to have a mindset, a disposition, a habitual way of thinking. It is the deliberate, ongoing practice of focusing our thoughts, affections, and values on Christ’s perspective.
The Nature of Christ’s Mindset
Paul’s description of Christ’s mindset in Philippians 2:6-8 is a theological masterpiece, often called the “kenosis” hymn. It reveals the depth of Christ’s humility and serves as the model for our own transformation.
1. A Mindset of Humility
The foundation of Christ’s mindset is humility. Paul writes, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage” (Philippians 2:6). Christ Jesus was the eternal Son of God. He had all the divine power and glory. Yet, He didn’t cling to His status for His own benefit. As one commentary explains, “Christ Jesus was the eternal Son of God. He always was ‘in very nature [morphe] God’ … Yet Christ Jesus didn’t stubbornly insist on maintaining the visibility of that status”.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Jesus, who had every right to demand worship and glory, chose to set aside His divine privileges to become one of us. This is the ultimate example of humility.
2. A Mindset of Servanthood
Christ’s humility expressed itself in servanthood. “Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:7). The Greek word for “servant” here is doulos, meaning a slave—someone with no rights or status. Jesus didn’t just serve; He became the lowest to lift us up. This is a radical challenge to our natural inclinations to seek status and recognition. He “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave”.
3. A Mindset of Obedience
Christ’s humility and servanthood culminated in ultimate obedience. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8). His humility wasn’t passive; it was active, costly, and purposeful, driven by love for God and humanity. The cross was not just a symbol of suffering; it was a symbol of obedience. He willingly accepted to go down that route.
The Call: “Let This Mind Be in You”
Paul’s command is a call to make Christ’s mindset our own. It is a call to be transformed from the inside out. This is not something we can achieve on our own; it requires the work of the Holy Spirit. However, it also requires our intentional cooperation and effort.
1. Change the Way You Think
The starting point for a transformed attitude is a renewed mind. Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Attitude change begins with a change in our thought patterns. We must actively choose to think about ourselves, others, and God differently.
Change Your Attitude about Yourself
We often define ourselves by our failures or successes. But our identity comes from God, not our achievements. Paul writes, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus doesn’t see us as failures or successes; He sees people who can represent Him by loving and serving others.
Change Your Attitude about Others
We often use people to get what we want or treat them as obstacles to our goals. But God’s way is to “value the interests of others more than our own”. This is the heart of the “mind of Christ.” It involves putting others first, serving rather than being served.
Change Your Attitude about God
In difficult times, we can be tempted to think God has abandoned us. But the truth is that Jesus came from a perfect heaven to an imperfect earth to save us (1 Timothy 1:14-15). Jesus is proof that God cares so much about us that He’s willing to meet with us and change us.
2. Choose to Focus on Others
A key aspect of the Christlike mindset is focusing on others. Paul writes, “Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others” (Philippians 2:4, NCV). This is not natural; it is supernatural. It requires us to look beyond ourselves and to see the needs of those around us. This doesn’t mean neglecting our own responsibilities; it means adding the needs of others to our scope of concern.
3. Chart a Course for Growth
Transformation requires intentional effort. It means developing spiritual disciplines that keep us open to God’s work. This includes consistent prayer, Scripture reflection, and accountability. It also involves a willingness to be changed, to admit when certain patterns no longer fit a Christlike life.
Overcoming Obstacles to Transformation
As we strive to adopt the mind of Christ, we will face significant obstacles.
The Problem of Self-Centeredness
Our natural inclination is to look out for our own interests. This is the “old self” that Paul describes. We must actively put off this old self and put on the new self, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
The Problem of Negative Influences
The world around us constantly reinforces self-centered attitudes. We are bombarded with messages that we deserve more, that we should push our way to the front, and that our comfort is paramount. We must actively resist these influences and fill our minds with God’s truth.
The Problem of Spiritual Apathy
It is easy to become spiritually complacent, to settle for a lukewarm faith. But transformation requires a passionate pursuit of Christ. We must continually ask God to search our hearts and reveal areas where we need to change. As one devotion encourages, “When God gently puts a finger on something in your heart and says, ‘Let me work here,'” we must not resist but surrender.
The Joy of a Transformed Attitude
Letting God transform your attitude is the key to a life of true fulfillment. It is the path to genuine unity with other believers and a powerful witness to a watching world. When we adopt the mind of Christ, we are freed from the tyranny of self-centeredness and the burden of comparison. We are liberated to love and serve others as Jesus did.
God wants to do a deep work in our hearts. He wants to replace our pride with humility, our selfish ambition with a desire to serve, and our fear with faith. This is not a quick fix; it is a lifelong process of surrender and growth. But the promise is sure: the God who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). Today, may we have the courage to face the “real you” and to invite the Spirit to bring the change that leads to life, freedom, and a more vibrant Christian witness.
Chiamaka Nweke