Colossians 3:1–3 (ESV)
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Introduction
Unlike any other living creature, God has given man a mind, an element,substance, or process that reasons, thinks, feels, wills, perceives, and judges. The mind is a state of awareness and remembrance. With it, we give opinions, views, and sentiments. Thank God for strong, sound, and godly minds.
Earthly Mindset vs. Heavenly Mindset
A shift from an earthly mindset to a heavenly mindset does not mean we become so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. The theologian Adam Clarke stated, “We must love heavenly things, study them, let our hearts be entirely engrossed by them, and act in reference to heavenly things as we did formerly in reference to those of earth.”
Be aware of the earthly things going on around you, in the workplace, in the home, community, and even in our government. But these earthly things must not take the place that should be reserved for the things above.
A heavenly mindset is free to change from doing what is wrong to what is right, what is evil to what is good, what is ungodly to what is godly. We have the freedom to change our mindset.
What We Choose to Set Our Minds On
We also have the freedom to choose to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of a good report. We have the power to think on these things and dismiss such things as sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desires, and covetousness, which is idolatry. These are things that can incur the wrath of God, according to verses 5 through 6 of Colossians 3. We must put them all away, put them to death, along with anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from the mouth.
Instead, we are to put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, loving and forgiving one another as Christ has loved and forgiven us.
How the World Identifies Us
This is how we are distinguished and identified by the world. John 13:34–35 states, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you. You also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” The Lord knows us better than we know ourselves.
He understands how our minds work, and He knows how we process stressful situations. It is said that there is a fine line between sanity and insanity. Because of such, we are admonished to keep our minds stayed on the Lord.
Guarding the Mind in a Broken World
All of the wickedness, the evil, the injustice, the killing, the kidnapping, the sickness, the disease, and the ills going on in our nation, as well as in our world, can cause depression, confusion, disillusionment, and possibly insanity. But we do not have to succumb to any of these. Isaiah 26:3 promises, “Thou, Lord, wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”
We must set our minds on the things above, as this will help to dispel the continuous bombardment and attack of accusation, guilt, and lies of the enemy on our minds. Remember, the enemy is out to steal, to kill, and to destroy. That’s all he wants to do with the saints of God. But we have to keep our minds on Christ.
A Biblical Warning and Example
God has provided these strategic ways to help us maintain sound and peaceful minds. May I remind you of King Nebuchadnezzar. Although he was warned by Daniel in chapter 4 of the Book of Daniel, he refused to humble himself and acknowledge God as the great, all-powerful, and majestic One.
Because of such, his mindset shifted from that of a human to that of an animal. His mind remained insane for seven seasons, until He acknowledged that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will. Nebuchadnezzar had yet another shift in his mindset. He lifted his eyes to heaven, and he got his mind back. His reasoning returned, and he blessed the Most High and praised and honored him who lives forever.
A Call to Choose God’s Strategy
The mind is a terrible thing to waste, and it’s a terrible thing to lose. But God is a mind regulator, and He is a mind restorer.
Let’s choose to use the strategies God has given in His word to maintain a strong, healthy, and godly mindset, thus avoiding such negative experiences as King Nebuchadnezzar did. So how do we set our minds on things above?
Number One: Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart
Number one, and they’re all found in Colossians chapter 3, number one, let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Do not accept the peace of this world. It is transient. It lasts for a short period of time. But the peace of God is permanent. It lasts forever, and it will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.
Number Two: Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly
Number two, let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. In order for this to happen, we must read, study, meditate, memorize, and apply the word of God daily, as this is not a one-and-done thing. It is a daily activity that we must engage in. Satan does not take a break with his attacks. He cannot. Therefore, we cannot take a break from allowing the word of God to dwell in us richly.
Number Three: Be thankful
Number three, we must be thankful. Have a heart of gratitude toward the Lord and all He has done for us. Psalm 136:1 says, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever.” And because His mercy endures forever, we will ever have something to give God thanks for.
Number Four: Teach and admonish one another in the wisdom of God
Number four, we are to teach and admonish one another in the wisdom of God. As a teacher, I have learned that you really do not learn something until you teach it. When you teach it, you really learn it. So we are to admonish one another in the wisdom of God.
The writer of Hebrews 10:25 said, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much more as we see the day of Christ’s return drawing near.” Zoom is important, and it is necessary, but in-person service and gathering is better, and that’s what the Lord requires, if at all humanly possible.
Number Five: Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
Number five, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thanksgiving in our hearts to God. This will help us set our minds on things above. It ushers us into the throne room, or the presence of the Lord. Singing spiritual songs helps us keep our focus on Christ. It helps us to think about His love, His goodness, and His grace. Keep on singing and making melody in your heart unto the Lord.
Final Exhortation
Finally, whatever we do in word or deed, we are to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. When we engage in these things, and others such as prayer and fasting, our minds will be preserved and shifted from earthly things to heavenly things.
Prayer
Father, we thank you for your word, for your word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. I pray that we would hide it in our hearts, that we might not sin against you. Lord, I pray that we would apply the strategic things that you have supplied us in your word, O God, to keep sound minds, to keep godly minds, O God, to keep good minds, O God. Help us to think on things that are above. No, we’re not to be so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good, but God, what is reserved for heavenly thinking, I pray that we would not take that reserve and think on earthly things, but we would think on heavenly things.
And Lord, when we do these things, when we keep our minds stayed on you, you promise that you would keep us in perfect peace if we keep our minds on you. So Lord, help each one of us, even through the trials and the tribulations and the toil.