On this episode of the 40 Days of Reconciliation podcast, host Emmanuel Manishimwe welcomed James Early, host of The Bible Speaks to You, to explore the practical meaning of having the “mind of Christ.” Early anchored the discussion in 1 Corinthians 2:16, emphasizing that this mindset is not a future aspiration but a present reality—a spiritual gift believers already possess. He compared it to receiving a wrapped present; while the gift is yours, it remains useless sitting on a shelf. To benefit from the ability to think, pray, and love like Jesus, one must actively “unwrap” it and put it to use in daily life.
Early explained that adopting this mindset begins with accepting Jesus’ declaration that the Kingdom of Heaven is “at hand”—available right now, not just after death. This requires a posture of total surrender. Just as Jesus claimed he did nothing on his own but only what he saw the Father doing, believers are called to set aside their personal agendas. This shift is particularly vital when dealing with difficult people. Instead of trying to manufacture love through human effort or falling into judgment like the Pharisees, Early suggested asking, “How does God see this person?” allowing divine compassion to flow through us.
When asked about avoiding false doctrine, Early advised against obsessing over false teachers. He used the analogy of a bank teller who learns to spot counterfeit money not by studying fakes, but by studying real currency so intensely that the counterfeit becomes obvious. He urged listeners to immerse themselves in the authentic words and actions of Jesus—specifically the Sermon on the Mount—arguing that true faith is defined less by creeds (what we believe) and more by fruit (how we live).
The interview concluded with Early sharing his personal journey, from questioning rote answers as a teenager to leading prison Bible studies for over 17 years. He emphasized a teaching style that encourages independent thought rather than blind compliance. His final encouragement was for listeners to give themselves permission to accept that they indeed have the mind of Christ and to practice it in small steps.
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