AYP DEVOTIONAL // REFLECTING HIS CHARACTER: THE MIND OF CHRIST
There is a constant battle for our attention. Social media pushes quick, exciting, and intriguing content on our feeds to keep us swiping. Notifications bombard us from every angle, and there is always a new trending story to keep up with.
All of these influences pulling at our attention can lead us to becoming unaware of the bias of the content we are watching/ engaging with.
If you are not careful, you can limit yourself to a specific way of thinking that may not be in alignment with how Christ intended for your character and mind to grow.
Today, I’d like you to pause and assess the last three pieces of content you watched on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or the social media platform of your choice.
If you aren’t a social media user, revisit the last three pieces of content you heard on the radio, read in a book, or watched on television.
As you pull up your history, consider why you chose to watch or engage with that content. Also consider, what resonated with you from that content piece or the creator. Lastly, consider how that piece of content has impacted the way you think about the topic you watched.
As you ponder the content you’ve consumed, the lens through which I want you to filter this content is, “How does this piece of content help me reflect the character and mind of Christ?”
If you are unsure of how to answer that question, Philippians 4:8-9 has strong guidance on the matter.
Paul says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 NKJV)
As we focus on reflecting Christ’s character, we must pay attention to what we fill our minds with.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the criteria laid out in scripture for us to grow in His Character.
We need to focus on:
Whatever things are true
True content is so important to focus on. We live in a world where fictional stories float around with true stories which eventually makes us develop a subconscious distrust of believing every story we hear. To grow in our faith walk with Christ and reflect His character, we must only fill our minds with what is true. Our faith will be elevated and inspired beyond measure when we see how God is moving in the lives of believers around us.
Whatever things are noble
According to Oxford’s dictionary. The word noble means, belonging to a hereditary class with high social or political status; aristocratic. Noble also means, “having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.”
This one might be an acquired taste for some of us, but I believe when we focus on noble things, we draw our minds heavenward. Some ideas that come to mind for noble things are learning about etiquette and how to further love those around you no matter their social class.
Questions to consider:
• What ideas come to your mind when you think about noble things?
• What comes to mind when you hear the word “lovely”?
• What are some things of good report you like to focus your mind on?