How to live like Jesus is not about walking on water or turning water into wine (although that would be pretty cool). Instead, it’s about embracing qualities like love, compassion, and humility. Personally, I find that taking a few moments each day to reflect on how I can be a better person (and more like Jesus) helps me inch closer to that goal.
It is a goal, which means I strive and work at it, but I also miss the mark sometimes.
You know, it’s totally fine to miss a goal every now and then, in my opinion.
Life’s a bit like a game, and sometimes you just don’t score every time you take a shot. I’ve learned that it’s the process, the learning, and the resilience that matter. It’s okay to stumble and miss the mark because that’s where the real growth happens. Every miss is just another step on the path to eventually nailing it. So, I don’t beat myself up too much when I fall short. I keep trying, learn from my misses, and use them as stepping stones toward future successes. After all, they say it’s the journey, not just the destination, right?
How I’m organizing this post:
Back to how to live like Jesus.
For me, showing love is key. All roads lead to love. That’s what Jesus taught. I am to love Him.
One of the most famous passages about loving God with all your heart can be found in the Bible’s book of Matthew.
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'” – Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
Then there is the Love for others.
Learning to live like Jesus is also about being there for friends, family, and even strangers.
A friendly smile or a helping hand can go a long way.
Being compassionate means understanding that everyone’s fighting their own battles, and sometimes a little kindness can make a world of difference. And let’s not forget humility – it’s about being open to learning, admitting when I’m wrong, and not letting pride get in the way.
So, day by day, I try to walk in those figurative sandals and follow in Jesus’s footsteps by spreading love compassion, and staying humble. It’s not always easy, but it’s a journey worth taking.
Again, I strive, and I try.
Shifting your mindset on how to live like Jesus
Research that is interesting…at least to me.
As a consultant, I’m certified to teach an intriguing curriculum called “Increasing Human Effectiveness” (IHE).
The cornerstone of the workshops is change management and shifting our mindset away from self-sabotaging behaviors.
I think several of these principles can help us, as Christian women, make positive changes in our personal lives so we can re-program ourselves and learn how to live like Jesus.
It can be related to the scripture of “transforming of our minds.”
The IHE research says we are a combination of complexities. It asserts that we are mental beings, spiritual beings, and physical beings as well. They really focus the curriculum on the power to control our thought processes. Our Heavenly Father made us to be able to control our minds and even transform them.
Here’s how it can all play out and, at the same time, help us to learn how to live like Jesus lived:
Our conscious mind and how to be Christ-like
According to the IHE research, your conscious mind evaluates and associates data as it enters your brain.
For example, it sees cake and says, “That’s good. You want it“.
If you’re anything like me, you then eat it. I loved the cake!
Essentially, the conscious mind decides upon the course of action you should take.
IHE calls it the “judge”. That part of your mind determines what’s good and what’s yucky – or, in grown-up terms, what you should do or not do – and you’re fully aware the entire time. You’re conscious of it.
We use our conscious mind when we intentionally ponder “how to live like Jesus.”
When you ask yourself, “How can I be a blessing today and represent God well?” You’re using your conscious mind, Girl!
Another example is when you intentionally put an extra $20.00 in your purse to give to one of the church mothers for no reason at all. That’s a conscious decision to be a blessing.
The subconscious mind
Some call this your spirit.
This is the place where your personal reality is stored, and it handles your activities and habits.
Think of it as a massive data container.
It’s unbiased and non-judgmental. It just takes in the data you feed it, and eventually, you act on that information – whether you intend to or not (SCARY).
If you continually say, “I cannot do _________, or I can’t do ______,” I guarantee you won’t.
Or, if you think and tell yourself you have no self-control, you’ll see evidence of that in your life over and over again.
This part of yourself essentially acts on the “program” you entered into your mental “hard drive.”
The research says it’s the part of ourselves that just acts automatically based on what we allow into our belief system (or our hard drive).
Examples:
“I have a short temper.”
“I can’t stop eating chocolate.”
“My relationships never work.”
“I can’t control my mouth.”
That’s why it’s imperative that we feed the subconscious straight from the Word and sources that do not conflict with the Bible. This is the only way how to live like Jesus.
Thinking only about the good things. You know the scripture I am going to reference:
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
The thinking is the “conscious mind,” and when you do it enough, the subconscious mind will ensure you act like you’re “supposed” to act based on what you entered.
I think this is why daily reading the Word of God is so important, too. The Holy Spirit speaks, moves, and attaches the Word to our hearts, and we begin to transform.
Instead of stressing about it, we will figure out how to live like Jesus because we are inputting the right data into our “system” to get the desired result.
We begin to be more Christ-like – even when we aren’t trying. Cool, right?
An example is when people repeatedly tell children they are bad.
That is very common in the Black culture and needs to stop.
Why? Because it becomes ingrained in their subconscious (or spirit), and eventually, the child begins to behave badly, almost without trying to be “bad.” His subconscious tells him he’s bad, so that’s how he behaves.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Manage the mind to change habits.
Again, we can control our minds by feeding our spirit Biblical truths based on God’s word. God tells us we are the righteousness in Christ Jesus and that we are not slaves to sin any longer.
We must “beat” our subconscious minds into submission to God’s Word. The result will be peace and the formation of Godly habits and Christian attitudes. We give the Holy Spirit something to work with, and that’s a good practice.
Not that He NEEDS that, but it all contributes to our transformation into His image. It helps us be more Christ-like and make better decisions.
Condition your spirit for change. ..
Understand this: what you say triggers (not controls) your mental perceptions about yourself. That’s why, again, reading and memorization of scripture is so important.
I don’t believe our words themselves actually change stuff, but I do know our words impact our faith walk, and faith is an important part of prayer.
As I pray for the strength to change my life, take better care of myself, and be more Christ-like, I don’t say things that work against my prayer.
That would be as dumb as a person praying for $200 only to repeatedly say, “God ain’t never going to give me that money.“
Anyhoo, as I pray and activate my faith, I say things like:
“Lord, I thank you that I manage my time well and no longer take on more work than I can handle”.
“Thank you, Father, for teaching me how to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of my flesh.”
“Jesus, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made! Thank you for teaching me to eat well and get the rest I need.”
I’ve just discovered Deuteronomy 4:9 and have begun praying that as well. Like this: “Lord, thank you that I remember what you have shown me and taught me. I will teach my children your wisdom as well.”
I also say things to myself like: “I care for my temple the way God wants me to. Thank you for the strength to make healthy food choices and the wisdom to handle my time well.”
How? I’m consciously going to feed my subconscious to be open to new habits and ways of thinking until it all becomes second nature to me.
Then, re-wiring my mind and the power of the Holy Spirit will help me be wiser and more Christ-like, too.
Note: Again, the words themselves have no power. It’s the working of the Lord with my faith and changing how I think. Don’t get it twisted.
Want to know how to live like Jesus? Change the way you think about yourself, your God, and the words you speak. Keep everything rooted in the wisdom of God’s Word. Marinate on it. Meditate on it…then live it.
Other scriptures to feed your subconscious spirit:
Proverbs 8:14
Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.
3 John 1:2
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Practical ways to live like Jesus:
Living like Jesus is a noble aspiration that involves embodying his teachings and principles. Here are some ways to incorporate Jesus’s values into your daily life:
- Practice Unconditional Love: Show love and kindness to everyone, even those who may not be easy to love.
- Forgiveness: Forgive those who wrong you and let go of grudges, just as Jesus forgave.
- Compassion: Be empathetic and show compassion to those who are suffering.
- Serve Others: Serve those in need and be selfless in your actions.
- Humble Attitude: Practice humility and avoid arrogance or self-righteousness.
- Non-Judgment: Avoid passing judgment on others and focus on your own self-improvement.
- Prayer and Meditation: Develop a strong spiritual practice to connect with God and seek guidance.
- Bible Study: Study and reflect upon the teachings of Jesus and the Bible.
- Generosity: Give to those in need and be generous with your time and resources.
- Seek Peace: Strive for peace and reconciliation in your relationships and conflicts.
- Turn the Other Cheek: Try to respond to hostility or negativity with patience and love.
- Seek Truth and Wisdom: Embrace learning and seek wisdom in your decisions.
- Resist Temptation: Show self-discipline and resist temptations that go against your values.
- Community Involvement: Get involved in your community, helping those in need and making a positive impact.
- Live a Simple Life: Avoid excessive materialism and focus on what truly matters.
Hey, nobody’s perfect, right? Living like Jesus is something we can all work on, but it’s not always easy.
It’s about trying to be more like Him in how we act and how we treat others.
We’re all on a lifelong journey to be better, more caring, and more loving. So, manage your mind, keep the “inputs” Biblically sound and praiseworthy, and you’ll be just fine.
Amen! We often focus so much on the spiritual regeneration that we forget the mind and it’s power as well. Mind and faith have a connection, don’t you think? Mind plays a small role, but a role nonetheless in our belief system. What do you think?