It’s All in Your Mind

.J ] ] ~12 g1u, JI/ind "' @JuiJt u hi lltit mhu/, bR. i.n rpm, wlt.u-k uuu aluJ. in fdluui ~ " Philippians 2:5 Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:16, "70e luw.e du mind o/. f2kr.uL" Here in Philippians he writes that we are to relax, or let this mind be operative. No doubt Paul, by the Holy Spirit, is referring to the attitude and conduct of the Christian. He did not say, "'Let this heart or let this feeling or let this emotion." He uses that part of our body that is in control of our activities, or at least should be in control of our activities. Certainly the let of verse five is based on that which precedes it. In verse one, Paul starts with an if of condition. ";}/. I.Jun. k l.luu/JJn any [encouragement] i.n '2/ul,_L.." The subject centers around Christ. Paul is looking for an answer. Do you as a believer receive encouragement from Christ? Do you get comfort from the love of Christ? Is there any fellowship with the Holy Spirit? Is there any inward feeling based on mercy? The answer to all of these questions has to be in the affirmative. With this foundation, Paul asks the believers to do something for him. In verse two he says, "(fu/Ji.L r,µ mg, ;e.g,... "' In other words, "Make me happy." How is this to be done? Again, remember in 1 Corinthians chapters two and three that the spiritual mind is the mind of Christ. The camal mind produces division. The mind of Christ is always connected with unity. To fulfill Paul's joy, he encourages them to be "lilumi.nthd, luw.i.n.tJ llu. lll.ffll!. ~ bmuJ, o/. MU. tlllNd, a/. MU. mind." Paul starts with the 1-iead, not with the heart or feeling. Heart and feeling may not be trustworthy: What can you trust? A mind touched by the Holy Spirit! Paul is concerned about one-mindedness. In Romans 12:16, one of the proofs of a renewed mind is "u oJ tlu Him£ min.d tm£. /JJ.mmqJ lllUJ&n_" In 1 Corinthians 1:10, he says, ";J. b.utt.elt ~~ hi/, tJu ltlLmL o/. tJ.tU. J2b,d r;km..t f1JuuJ., l1uu ,µ all .J/llllk. flu J.O.nfl. l1wuJ,., and flwL du,,, tu no. dio.u.iDn,,, llffW.#YJ tpJa; Ind llwt ,µ Ill pu/ttflq ;.t,-uu.d l.tJ.iµfJ,.o. i.n IJu J.1I.11U. mind and i.n tJu UJ.Jnt, [discernment]." Second Corinthians 13:11 says, "~ ~ lnnmJL rJJe ~~ o/, gm,.d ~ he t,/. one mind. .." Paul constantly encouraged believers in the local church to be one-minded. So, Paul speaks of like-mindedness that includes the same love, and love always gives. Then he mentions, "6.dng, o/, tm£ attiJNL." Some translations have the phrase as, "being one soul, beingjoined together." Paul admonishes the Philippian Christians to act as one 53