“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5 NKJ).
The key word in this sentence is mind. In the original Greek, it is phroneo (fron-eh’-o) and covers a wide range of meanings. Each definition of phroneo can speak volumes to us.
In The Amplified Bible this word is translated “attitude.” We are urged to let the same attitude that Christ displayed govern our activities. Jesus came to earth to do His Father’s will. He showed forth that purpose when He prayed: “…not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). He attributed all His activities to a desire to please His Father. We can have the same attitude.
Phroneo can also be translated “opinion.” We can have the same opinion about life that Jesus had. He loved truth. So can we. He detested hypocrisy. We too should be turned off by plastic artificiality. We can have His opinion of right and wrong. If we will, we can let the same opinion be ours, which was in Christ Jesus.
Finally, phroneo can be translated “interest” or “motivation.” We can be interested in and motivated by the same things which interested and motivated Jesus Christ. Our Lord was motivated to pray, to attend to the house of God, to fellowship with God’s people, to care for the needy, and to go about doing good (Acts 10:38). We too can allow the same motivation to be in us, which was in our Lord and Savior. He is our role model.
The old hymn expresses this attitude, opinion, interest and motivation best when it declares: “All I ask is to be like Him.”
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.