Key Verse:
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
— Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
Supporting Verses:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
— Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:21 (ESV)
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Philippians 3:20 (ESV)
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
— 1 John 2:15 (ESV)
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
— 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
There is always a battle going on in our minds. Paul tells us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). In many places throughout Scripture, we are instructed to keep our minds fixed on the things above—to stay focused on the prize, which is Christ and being with Him. Staying focused on Christ does not mean we neglect our responsibilities; rather, it means we do everything to the glory of God. In all we say, do, and even think, we must seek to glorify Him.
The direction of our thoughts often reveals the true condition of our hearts. What occupies our minds throughout the day? What do we dwell upon when our responsibilities are finished and our thoughts are free to wander? Scripture teaches that believers are to set their minds on things above rather than on the things of this world. Tell me what a man spends the most time thinking about, and I’ll tell you who his god is.
Paul wrote these words to Christians who had been raised with Christ through faith. Because we belong to Christ, our lives are no longer centered on earthly ambitions, worldly pleasures, or temporary pursuits. Our priorities have changed because our identity has changed. We are citizens of heaven living temporarily in this fallen world.
We still work, care for our families, pay our bills, and fulfill the duties God has given us. Yet we are called to do these things with an eternal perspective. We are to view every aspect of life through the lens of God’s kingdom rather than through the priorities of the world.
The world constantly fights for our attention. We are surrounded by endless distractions, entertainment, political conflicts, financial concerns, and the pursuit of personal success. None of these things are necessarily sinful in themselves, but they become dangerous when they consume our thoughts and capture our affections more than Christ.
Jesus taught that where our treasure is, our hearts will follow. If our treasure is earthly, our minds will remain fixed on earthly things. If our treasure is Christ, our thoughts will increasingly turn toward Him, His Word, His promises, His kingdom, and the life to come.
Paul also tells us in Philippians 4:8 to intentionally think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. The Christian mind should not be shaped by the darkness of the world but by the truth of God. What we feed our minds will influence our desires, our attitudes, and ultimately our actions.
Living with our minds set on things above means regularly remembering that this world is not our home, that we are merely passing through. It means remembering that Christ is our Lord and that being with Him is our prize. Every earthly pleasure will fade. Every earthly accomplishment will eventually be forgotten. Every possession we own will one day belong to someone else. But Christ is eternal. His kingdom is eternal. The souls of men and women are eternal. The rewards stored up in heaven are eternal.
When we live with eternity in view, many of life’s burdens begin to lose their grip on us. Trials become temporary. Suffering takes on purpose. Material things lose their power to satisfy. Even death loses its sting because we know that our future is secure in Christ.
The Christian life is a continual battle for the mind. The flesh pulls us toward worldly thinking, while the Spirit calls us to fix our eyes upon Christ. This battle is won as we fill our minds with Scripture, spend time in prayer, worship God, and intentionally meditate on His promises.
One day our faith will become sight. The Christ we now worship from afar we will see face to face. The heaven we long for will become our eternal home. Until that day, let us set our minds on things above and live with our eyes fixed on the Savior who awaits us there.
Father, forgive us for becoming so focused on the things of this world that we lose sight of eternity. Help us to set our minds on things above and to treasure Christ above all else. Fill our thoughts with what is true, pure, and pleasing to You. Teach us to live as citizens of heaven while faithfully serving You here on earth. Keep our eyes fixed on Christ and the eternal hope we have in Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.