Set Your Mind on Things Above
Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:1-2
The Lord is telling us to seek things above and set our minds on things above. How difficult do you think this is? If the Word is just in our minds, it can be a difficult task, but if our hearts have changed and are filled with God’s love, then it will become natural. Pray and ask for the Lord’s power in your heart to set your mind on things above. He will change you to where the things of God are more fulfilling and interesting than things of the world.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2) This scripture tells us to persevere under the guidance of the Spirit, and to throw off any sin that entangles us. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21) If we keep our thoughts on Jesus and continue to serve him, we can overcome evil because we are doing good.
The closer we are to the Lord, the more we will keep our thoughts on things above because our hearts are driven to be closer to the Lord. Seeking to be closer to the Lord is the secret of changing our hearts and setting our minds on things above. It is impossible to be close to the Lord and not have our minds set on things above.
The closer we are to the Lord, the more we become like Jesus. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29) All those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior are predestined to conform to the image of Christ. God is molding us to the mind and heart of Jesus. As a result, seeking things above and setting our minds on things above will be natural and more desirable. Things of God will become more interesting and fulfilling than things of the world.
If we pray for the Lord’s help to think on things above, be patient because he will change our hearts to depend on him as we live in the Word and in prayer. Life will center on serving the Lord as we live to serve him, and our life will be fulfilling. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4) When Christ is our life, we will appear with him in glory. Our minds will seek things above and our minds will be set on things above.
Today, keep your thoughts on things above, governed by the Spirit and not by things of the world. Interface to the world through the Spirit with the wisdom from the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, help me to control my thoughts by the Spirit and to not be controlled by the world through my emotions or by sinful thoughts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.