Set Your Mind On Things Above

SCRIPTURE:

OBSERVATION:

Paul reminds them that they were raised with Christ (Colossians 2:12).  This short verse is a call to change the way that they thought and lived, focusing on things above and not on the things of this earth.

APPLICATION:

Our thoughts can often get the better of us if we aren’t careful.  Seeds of negative thoughts planted here and there, and watered throughout the day can have devastating effects.  When I was much younger, I would often hold on to offenses and hurts against me.  Thoughts of what was done and said would linger, alongside the response I would give.  Like clockwork, the next time I saw the person who offended me would often end up in an argument.

However, our new lives in Christ calls us to put these ways behind us.  It calls for us to think differently and in turn live differently.  As someone once put it, “Don’t let your mind tell you what to think, tell your mind what to think.”

Two steps and two verses can help us to do so:

First, once those thoughts enter our mind, we need to do our very best to recognize it and take it to Christ.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5

Second, we must replace those thoughts and instead focus on the true, lovely and excellent. 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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

PRAYER:

Father Almighty.  Forgive me Lord for times when I have allowed my thoughts to get the better of me.  Thank You Lord that You call us to think AND live differently.  May I take every thought captive and focus on the good, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.