08.07.25 | Christ-like in Your Thinking | HEART ANCHOR | Youth Devotional

08.07.2025
Christ-like in Your Thinking
Let the Mind of Jesus Transform Your Thoughts

──────────────── ────────────────

Bible Text

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 2:5

──────────────── ────────────────

Introduction

What if today you saw everything through Jesus’ eyes? What if you viewed the people around you with His heart, His mercy, and His humility?

In Philippians 2:5, Paul challenges us to think like Jesus—not just to believe like Him, not only to act like Him, but to think like Him. That changes everything—from your decisions to how you relate to friends, foes, and yourself.

──────────────── ────────────────

Devotional : What Does It Mean to Think Like Christ?

Jesus’ mindset was marked by:

• Humility: Though He was God, He humbled Himself and became human. (Phil. 2:6–7)

• Service: He did not come to be served, but to serve. (Mark 10:45)

• Obedience: He obeyed the Father’s will even to the point of death on a cross. (Phil. 2:8)

“Jesus did not flaunt His divine nature, but lived among people as one of them. He showed that true greatness is found in service.” – Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 645

This way of thinking often runs counter to the world’s values: power equals strength, popularity equals significance, achievement equals success. Jesus showed that true greatness lies in love, devotion, and sacrifice.

──────────────── ────────────────

Story – “The Empty Seat”

Jonas was sixteen—athletic, creative, a team player—and very concerned with what others thought of him. At his school, being “cool” meant wearing the right brands, using sarcastic humor, and never showing weakness.

Recently, a new student named Sami had joined their class. Quiet, reserved, speaking with an accent. Many whispered, “He’s just a refugee—he won’t understand anyway.” No one spoke to him. In group work, he was always overlooked. Jonas—though he considered himself a “nice Christian”—ignored him too.

One day in religion class, the teacher read Philippians 2:5:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Then she asked,
“What do you think—how would Jesus act in your class? Who would sit beside the quiet student? Whom would He invite in?”

Her question hit Jonas like a lightning bolt. Later, alone on the bus, he thought: Jesus—the King of the universe—had humbled Himself, become human, sat with outcasts, the sick, the foreign, the weak. And he, Jonas, who wanted to be “good,” didn’t even have the courage to smile at someone like Sami?

The next day, it was time for group work again. The seat next to Sami was, as always, empty. Jonas felt an inner resistance. What would the others think? What if it was embarrassing?

But then he remembered his teacher’s words: “What would Jesus do?”

He walked over to Sami, sat down beside him, and said,
“Hey, want to work together? I’m Jonas.”

Sami looked up—first surprised, then shyly smiling. “Sure.”

In the days that followed, a genuine friendship grew. Jonas learned that Sami had lost his home in the war as a child. He had seen things no one should ever see—but he had never lost hope.

Over time, other classmates began to show interest in Sami too. Jonas’s small step—a simple empty seat filled—became the beginning of change, not only in Sami but in the whole class.

──────────────── ────────────────

What Does This Story Teach Us?

To think like Christ means not just having nice thoughts. It means:

• Being humble where others are proud.

• Reaching out to those who are forgotten.

• Daring to make a difference—even if it costs you something.

“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

“The life of Christ was marked by unobtrusive kindness. His attention was on the overlooked, His love on the outcasts.” – Ellen G. White

──────────────── ────────────────

Reflection – What Does This Mean for You?

• Don’t think of yourself first—ask, How can I help someone today?

• Don’t judge by appearances—see with Jesus’ eyes.

• Don’t follow the crowd blindly—follow the Spirit of Christ.

• Ask yourself: Would Jesus be proud of my words, thoughts, and actions?

──────────────── ────────────────

Reflections for Today

• Reflection: Are your thoughts today self-centered or Christ-centered?

• Challenge: Do one thing today you might normally avoid—out of love, humility, or compassion.

• Prayer: Ask God to transform your heart and mind so you become more like Jesus.

──────────────── ────────────────

Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank You for the example of Your Son. Help me to shape my thoughts, desires, and perspective on others as Jesus has shown us.

I ask You: Give me courage to be kind, even when it’s hard. Give me love for those who are different. Teach me not to place myself above others.

Today, I want to see with Your eyes, feel with Your heart, and act with Your Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.