🎥 Video 12B: From Inward and Outward to the Jesus Mindset

Hi, I am Haley Steiner, a CLI presenter.

This course is taught by Professor Brian DeCook.

When conflict becomes intense, our mindset often narrows.

We may fall into an inward mindset.

An inward mindset asks, “How is this affecting me?”

“How do I protect my image?”

“How do I win?”

“How do I make sure I am not embarrassed, blamed, corrected, or ignored?”

In an inward mindset, other people become obstacles, threats, tools, or problems.

Even when we sound calm, our hearts may be centered on self-protection.

There is also an outward mindset.

An outward mindset asks, “How is this affecting them?”

“What does the other person need?”

“What is happening to the team, the family, the church, or the relationship?”

This can be helpful.

It moves us beyond selfishness.

It helps us consider others.

But even an outward mindset has limits.

We can become people-pleasers.

We can protect the group while ignoring truth.

We can serve the team while avoiding obedience to God.

We can focus on others but still rely on our own wisdom and strength.

That is why this course ends with the Jesus Mindset.

Philippians 2 tells believers to have the mind of Christ.

Jesus humbled Himself.

Jesus obeyed the Father.

Jesus served in love.

Jesus did not grasp for status.

Jesus did not use power to protect selfish ambition.

Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father and gave Himself for others.

The Jesus Mindset is not merely being nice.

It is not merely being emotionally aware.

It is not merely being a good leader.

The Jesus Mindset is humble obedience and relentless reliance.

Jesus said in John 5:30 that He did not act independently from the Father.

In John 12:49, He said He spoke what the Father gave Him to speak.

If even Jesus lived in perfect reliance on the Father, how much more do we need to rely on Christ?

In conflict, the Jesus Mindset asks:

“Lord, what would humble obedience look like?”

“How can I love without losing truth?”

“How can I tell the truth without losing love?”

“What is mine to do?”

“What must I entrust to You?”

This is the mindset that brings us back to the Peacefire.

Before moving on, pause and ask: In my current conflict, am I mostly inward, outward, or surrendered to the Jesus Mindset?


Last modified: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 6:08 AM