Christian Mindset – Understanding Various Types

I recently searched the scriptures to get an understanding of a Christian mindset. To my surprise, I discovered ten different kinds. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mindset as “a mental attitude or inclination; a fixed state of mind.” A mindset is the result of our predominant thoughts that form attitudes, impact emotions and are displayed by either positive or negative behavior.

Christian Living – Various Mindsets

Let’s take a deep dive into the mindsets listed below from a biblical standpoint. As you read them, evaluate whether you identify with that particular mindset in any way.

The Holy Bible has a lot to say about mindsets of those who live a Christian lifestyle and those who do not. The ten mindsets we will discuss in this article are:

Christian Mindset – Poor Mindset Bible Scriptures

1. Carnal Mind (Romans 8:5-8 KJV)

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

2. Blind Mind (2 Corinthians 4:4 (AMP)

4 among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

3. Corrupt Mind (1 Timothy 6:3-6 NLT)

3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. 6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

4. Hardened Mind (2 Corinthians 3:14 NLT)

14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

5. Double Mindedness (James 1:5-8  KJV)

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Christian Mindset – Good Mindset Bible Scriptures

6. Willing Mind (2 Corinthians 8:9-12 NKJV)

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

7. Sober Minded (Titus 2:1-8 NKJV)

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

8. Renewed Mind (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

9. Sound Mind (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

10. Spiritually Minded (Romans 8:5-10 KJV)

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

I love the Bible, not only does it show the problems and issues we find ourselves dealing with, it also provides solutions. I don’t know if you noticed a pattern from reading about the various mindsets, but the message is clear. In all cases, the solution for poor mindsets is Jesus Christ. The way to maintain or improve good mindsets is also Jesus Christ.

Wrong thought patterns often lead to poor mindsets which are carnal, blind, corrupt, hardened or double minded. If you identify with any of these, you have access to the power that can change your mental attitudes. The steps to access this power are:

By practicing the above steps, you will began to rapidly renew your mind, transforming it from a poor mindset to one that is willing, sober, sound and spirit-based. Oh, by the way, there is one more type of Christian mindset I would like to mention. It’s call being of one mind.

1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

By Michael Mosbey, co-founder of Kingdom’s Life Support
Founded in 2017, Kingdom’s Life Support is the Christian personal finance brand of eLearn Life Skills, LLC. eLearn Life Skills’ mission is to develop and distribute e-learning and classroom education that empowers students to enjoy a higher quality of life and increased business success.

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