The Mind of Christ: The Hidden Spiritual Self

The Mind of Christ: The Hidden Spiritual Self

The Mind of Christ: The Hidden Spiritual Self

The mind of Christ is not merely an idea or a title—it is the inward disposition, attitude, and spiritual awareness that characterizes the true believer. The concept of the "mind of Christ" appears directly in Scripture: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). This is a call to share in His way of thinking: humility, obedience, and spiritual discernment.

The term "mind" is closely tied to the concept of consciousness. The Cambridge Dictionary defines consciousness as "the state of understanding and realizing something." Similarly, the Oxford Living Dictionary defines it as "The state of being aware of and responsive to one's surroundings," and "A person's awareness or perception of something." Consciousness is essentially thought produced by the brain, closely related to mind. In Scripture, mind and heart often overlap in meaning, referring to the center of thought, emotion, and intention.

The Greek word for “conscience” is suneidēsis, literally meaning co-perception. This implies that within a believer, there are two types of perception: natural human perception and a deeper spiritual self-perception. This dual awareness is foundational to understanding the mind of Christ, for it indicates a spiritual dimension awakened within the believer—an inner man guided by the Spirit.

Peter calls this inner person “the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). Here, the “man” is not a physical being but a personification of spirit—an attitude or state of mind. It is "hidden," unseen by the world, and often misunderstood. Yet, as Jesus taught, “There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known” (Matthew 10:26). What is concealed in this life will be made visible in the age to come.

Paul refers to this inward man when he says, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man” (Romans 7:22). Interestingly, the Septuagint uses the same Greek term in Leviticus 3:14–16 to describe the fat surrounding the organs in a sacrifice. This fat, hidden and close to the heart, represents the inner spiritual essence of a person—the part that God values most. Just as this fat was offered on the altar, so too must our inner self be presented to God.

Romans 8:11 further explains: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he...shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” This passage confirms that the transformation at the resurrection is not the beginning of spiritual life—it is its full unveiling. The mind of Christ, developed now, will become manifest in our incorruptible bodies. As Paul says, “Your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:3-4).

This hidden spiritual self is what Hebrews 12:23 refers to as “the spirits of just men made perfect.” Even after death, the spiritual man—our inner Christ-like disposition—remains in God's memory. The “mind of Christ” is thus the essential quality that will determine our future identity. “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). If the mind of Christ dwells within us, the victory is already being won.

Romans 2:28-29 continues this idea: “He is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit.” Again, the true spiritual identity is inward. In Galatians 5:19, the “works of the flesh” are described as “manifest”—they are obvious. But the fruits of the Spirit—“love, joy, peace, longsuffering...” (Galatians 5:22)—are inward, hidden qualities. Jesus emphasized this when He said: “Thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18).

This inner spiritual perception, the mind of Christ, is what God truly sees and values. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). God dwells in “secret”—that is, He relates to what is hidden within. Isaiah 45:15 echoes this truth: “Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.” Human sin blinds us from perceiving the spiritual self in others. To fail to see it is to be spiritually blind ourselves.

The mind of Christ is the spiritual man within us, also referred to in Scripture as the “new man” (Colossians 3:10), “hidden man of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4), and “inward man” (Romans 7:22). This is the part of us that is “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10). It is the Christ within, not a mystical abstraction, but the conscious transformation of thought and attitude.

In sum, the mind of Christ is our inner spiritual being—a way of thinking aligned with the divine pattern revealed in Jesus. It is developed now, in secret, and will one day be fully revealed. This is not some vague cosmic energy but the practical, daily discipline of aligning our thoughts, desires, and actions with the example of Christ. As Paul writes: “But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).