Our minds are like computers. In fact, they are even more complex. As the mathematician Ian Parker says,”If our brains were simple enough for us to understand them, we’d be so simple that we couldn’t.” We are constantly learning and attaining new information. We are deep thinking beings who are continuously seeking to understand more and know more. Despite this desire, there is so much we don’t know. Even science, which exists as a pursuit of knowledge into uncovering truths and fundamental laws, is only a vehicle to understanding deeper truths, but in itself is not a source of wisdom. 

Wisdom itself is foundational as defined by John Piper is “the factual knowledge and situational insight and the necessary resolve that together succeeds in attaining full and everlasting happiness.” Now while I said earlier that science is only a vehicle or means to knowing more, also wisdom is a means to reaching a goal. Proverbs says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).” The beginning or start of wisdom is found in our recognition and honor of God. 

1 Corinthians 2:12 says that the Holy Spirit we have received has allowed us to understand these things freely given by God. Paul argues from the greek philosophical premise that like is known only by the like. Essentially, you can assume what someone is thinking but you won’t know unless they tell you. In the same way, the Spirit indwells in us and speaks to us about spiritual truths, leading us into the hidden wisdom and power of God (1 Corinth 2:7). As God is the foundation of wisdom, there are truths we can only know by His Spirit revealing them to us. 

Now, though God reveals to us truths and a new standard of holiness through the Spirit, this has not absolved natural or wordly men from judgment. Ephesians 2:3 says that we were “by nature deserving of wrath.” Though we were deserving of wrath, God’s love has punctured through darkness. By the Holy Spirit, we have been made “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). By the grace of God we receive new minds (Romans 12:2) and the Spirit indwells in us. This is possible by believing in Jesus, in His life, His death, and resurrection that freed us from the shackles of sin. By repenting of our sin and making Him Lord, “the Holy Spirit comes to the believer, filling him or her with the understanding and hope of a future inheritance” (CompellingTruth). God’s ways, judgements, and knowledge are deeper than what we can comprehend by our human understanding (Romans 11:33). 

“Having the mind of Christ gives us insight into the divine qualities of God and allows us to understand more of His heart”

Further, having the mind of Christ gives us insight into the divine qualities of God and allows us to understand more of His heart. The Word is foolishness to someone without the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). This way of thinking describes a materialist or someone who lives as there is nothing beyond this physical life. Having the mind of Christ, we are called to walk in pace with the Spirit. We have a new understanding of the temporal body we have on Earth and the promise that is given through Jesus (Romans 8:18-21). Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) become apparent qualities to us of God. 

Not only this, but also we understand that these qualities (or fruits of the Spirit) display the intended aim that God has for our hearts and minds. True wisdom is found in following God. As our minds are renewed, we understand what it means to love God (1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 5:3-4). We are given new desires that conflict with our human nature, drawing us closer to Holiness and godliness. The Holy Spirit changes our minds to allow us to fully pursue the will of God and produce the fruits of the Spirit.