The framing of the mind refers to the boundaries we naturally place on how we think about ourselves, our environment, and others. The concept of framing the mind is derived from the diaphragm, which the Greeks considered the seat of intellectual faculties, including understanding and the capacity for perception and judgment.
In Matthew 16:21, Scripture records that Jesus began to show the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, be killed, and be raised again on the third day. Peter rebuked the Lord for what He was saying because his frame of mind was not on the things of God, but on the things of men (Matthew 16:23). The boundaries that Peter had placed around the Messiah did not include the Messiah’s death.
When Paul first came to Rome, he was in chains due to the Jews in Jerusalem seeking to kill him. However, Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldiers who guarded him in a home rather than in prison, while he awaited his trial before Caesar. Three days after arriving in Rome, Paul calls together the leaders of the Jews, explaining to them that he had done nothing against the Jews nor their customs. He was in Rome because he was forced to appeal to Caesar to protect his life. Having received no messenger nor letter, the leaders of the Jews desired to hear Paul’s frame of mind concerning the sect of the way, for they only knew that it was spoken against (Acts 28:22).
The frame of mind directly impacts what we desire and do. When the mind is framed on the things of the flesh, then we govern our lives according to the strong desires from the flesh. In contrast to this, when our mind is framed on the things of the Spirit, our walk reflects our frame of mind (Romans 8:5). The carnal mind (a mind focused on the flesh) works out death—separation from God—where a spiritually framed mind works out life and peace—a manifestation of the life of God in activity with an unruffled mind (Romans 8:6).
We are all saved by grace. Therefore, regardless of the position we hold, we are not to have a high frame of mind concerning ourselves. It is necessary that our frame of mind is a saved frame of mind, for God has dealt each one of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Just as we have many members in the body that have different functions, so is the Christ (Romans 12:4). Therefore, let us serve one another in live according to the gift given to us (Romans 12:5). We are not to frame our minds of high things, but have the same frame of mind towards each other and associate with the humble. Do not become one who is wise as measured by himself (Romans 12:16). These high things relate to the logic that lifts itself up against the things of God, building strongholds of theology rather than truth (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).
We are not to be inarticulate babblers, except in things that are wrong. As we grow and mature in our faith, we are to put aside the things of the inarticulate babbler (1 Corinthians 13:11). The inarticulate babbler frames his mind on childish things. These childish things result from a lack of understanding and make it easy for a person to be manipulated by every wind of teaching through the trickery of men (Ephesians 4:14). However, we now possess the entire testimony of God (1 Corinthians 13:9–10). Therefore, let us put aside the things of the inarticulate babbler—living by law, a righteousness based on self-effort, following the traditions of men—and go on to maturity in Christ.
The Christian’s frame of mind is to be set on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1–2). This is the same frame of mind Jesus had while on earth, for even though He is God, He submitted to the Father’s will (Philippians 2:5–8). In like manner, regardless of who we are in this world, our frame of mind is to be focused on doing the desirous will of God above all else.
With a proper frame of mind that relates to heavenly things, let us press on to maturity on the basis of our high calling in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14–16).