EMPTY PRIDE
Philippians 2

Do you ask yourself if you have the mind of Christ or the mind of Christ has you? Whichever way it goes, to be having or to have the mind of Christ is to live by the word of Christ. Paul, the Apostle, gave an encouraging word when he stated in Philippians 2:5,” Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” The absence of the mind of Christ will make operating like Christ absolutely impossible. The Apostle Paul in his writing went further and pointed out what the mind of Christ is about in Philippians 2:8, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Christ humbled Himself and became obedient. Without humility, there is no way for any believer to be obedient to the commands of God. This is the revelation of why a majority of the self-acclaimed Christ followers today are operating without any distinction or power demonstration. Evidently, whenever the mind of Christ is not in place the power inhabited in His name is misplaced by those that confess Him. The word of God is not just for memorization but for meditation to be able to observe and do accordingly. Also, the word is not for decoration but for interpretation and application in every area of life. To be humble is to be obedient to what God requires from His children. It is apparent in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, to lack humility will lead to disobedience. All that was required of Naaman to be delivered from his state of leprosy was simple obedience to the command of Elisha, “…Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” (2 Kings 5:10) The empty pride in Naaman’s life could not allow him to respond in obedience to the man of God. The word describes Naaman’s response, “But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’ 12 Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.” (2 Kings 5:11-12) Rage and pride are evidence of a lack of humility and they lead to disobedience just like Naaman was before he turned, went back and humbled himself by washing in the Jordan River. Operating the mind of Christ is the only source of power for any believer that desires to operate the power in Jesus name.

Prayer for today: Lord let the mind of Christ become my portion to the glory of Your name.