There are many descriptions of “the mind” as it pertains to the way we live our lives. Many talk today about a “divided mind” as they feel pulled in a multitude of directions. Others speak of a “lazy mind” that doesn’t want to think. What about a “perfect” mind?
Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
About what is the apostle Paul speaking? He is referring to the need to never be satisfied in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ – as if you had not arrived and are always pressing forward for more.
Philippians 3:12–14 (ESV) — 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
A perfect mind is a growing and joyful mind as you see God working in the midst of trials and feeling inadequate to the battle.
James 1:2–4 (ESV) — 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) — 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Because God is perfect in all His ways, we can have “perfect peace” as we keep our minds upon Him.
Psalm 18:30–32 (ESV) — 30 This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?— 32 the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) — 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
The “perfect mind” is not an impossible goal, rather it’s a product of grace and the discipline of focusing upon God, His word, and never being satisfied with status quo.
Romans 12:2 (ESV) — 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Conformity to the world is being content with things as they are with very little effort, therefore being satisfied as you compare yourself with others rather than God’s standard. The solution is to be transformed from a weak and divided mind to a perfect mind through renewal which is where desire and effort are applied.
This is where God’s word must be applied to show us the need for constant striving and forward action in our walk with the Lord. Notice how God calls for reasoning, shows the blessing of enjoying His grace in moving forward, but also the dread of missing out from rejecting His counsel.
Isaiah 1:18–20 (ESV) — 18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Notice again how Paul set a good example of a “perfect mind” as described by his drive.
Philippians 3:12–14 (ESV) — 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
