Let This Mind Be in You
A Philippians 2:5–8 KJV devotional about the deity of Christ, His willing humility, obedient service, and the mind believers are called to share.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Philippians 2:5–8 KJV
The lowest place in a room is rarely crowded. Human nature reaches for recognition, protects rank, and keeps a careful record of who received credit. Philippians 2 turns our eyes to Jesus Christ. He is eternally God, yet He took the form of a servant and humbled Himself unto the death of the cross. His humility did not come from weakness or lack of worth. It was the willing stoop of the Lord of glory for helpless sinners.
The mind of Christ
Paul speaks to a church that needed unity, lowliness of mind, and care for the interests of others. He does not offer a communication trick. He places the character of Christ before them.
Christian humility grows by looking at Him. I can measure myself against another person and still preserve pride. At the cross, every excuse for self-importance is brought low. The One truly worthy of honour chose the path of service.
Equal with God
The passage guards the full deity of Jesus Christ. He was in the form of God and equal with God. Bethlehem was not the beginning of His existence, and taking humanity did not make Him less than God.
Christ made Himself of no reputation, but He did not surrender His divine nature. The eternal Son took a true human nature and entered the place of a servant. He is fully God and truly man, the only Saviour able to bring God and sinners together.
The form of a servant
A servant asks what faithfulness requires rather than what position protects his image. Jesus washed feet, welcomed the overlooked, obeyed the Father, and gave Himself for people who could not repay Him.
Service becomes difficult when I need it to be noticed. I may do the task while quietly resenting the absence of thanks. The mind of Christ frees service from that bargain. The Father sees, and obedience is worthy even when the room does not applaud.
Obedient unto death
The humility of Christ reached the cross. He did not die as a helpless victim of circumstances. He became obedient unto death and gave His life as the sinless Substitute for sinners.
My service can never equal His sacrifice or add to redemption. It can follow His pattern. Pride asks how little obedience will cost. The mind of Christ asks how fully the Father’s will can be obeyed.
Choose the lower place without keeping score
Read Philippians 2:1–11 and keep the commands beside the description of Christ. Unity, lowliness, and care for others are not detached moral advice. They flow from the gospel and the example of the Saviour.
Notice where recognition has become part of the price for your service. A duty performed with resentment may reveal that the heart expected payment in praise. Confess the pride instead of blaming everyone who failed to notice.
Take one task that belongs to you and do it carefully without announcing it. Quiet service is not more holy simply because it is hidden, but hidden work can expose how strongly the heart depends upon attention.
Remember the rest of the passage. The humbled Christ is highly exalted, and every knee will bow to Him. The believer can take the lower place now because the final honour of Christ is certain.
Why the setting matters
Philippians 2 calls believers to unity and humble care by directing them to Jesus Christ. The passage teaches His deity, genuine humanity, willing humiliation, and obedience unto the cross. His unique saving work becomes the pattern for Christian humility without reducing Him to an example alone.
Continue in the Word
Read further: Philippians 2:1–16; John 13:1–17; 2 Corinthians 8:9