Set Your Mind on the Things Above

Posted byEd LevyPosted in21 Things I Want to Tell My Sons, Blog Post, ChristianityTags:, , , , , ,

“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. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.“

(Colossians 3:1-3)

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Philip 4:8). God wants us to control our thoughts. He wants us to set our minds on the things above. Having a godly mindset is a vital key to successfully living your life as a Christian. Other verses on this subject include: “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom 8:6).  “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17) “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor 10:5)

This godly mindset also includes setting your mind on eternity, and living for “the day” (the Bema) rather than living for “today”. Seeking God should be the motivation for all that we do. It is living our life based on God’s interests rather than our own. When Jesus revealed to Peter what was going to happen to Him, Peter rebuked Jesus and said “May it never be”. Jesus response back to Peter was “Get behind me satan, for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests but man’s”. (Matt 16:23). Peter was thinking in his limited understanding of the situation, rather than trusting God with all his heart (Proverbs 3:5-6). Setting your mind on the things above is surrendering our will to God, and saying “Thy will be done” in all situations. It is being sold-out to God in every area of your life. Be sold-out to God.

Next

“Choose you this day whom you will serve…..but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua 24:15

Published by Ed Levy

Growing up Jewish, the extent of my knowledge about Jesus and Christianity was limited to what was on the rock album "Jesus Christ Superstar". Becoming born again in college, that changed. Jesus showed up, and my life has never been the same. I thank God every day for bringing me into His kingdom, and write these blogs to remember what He has shown me, and to share them with my four sons and others. I owe much to several pastors who have strongly influenced me over the years, including Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Robert Lewis, John Ortberg, John Eldredge, and most recently Tim Keller and David Levine. Many of my blogs are the 'aha' moments that I have had over the years from listening to their sermons and reading their books, and I owe them a great debt of gratitude. My prayer for you is that you will be blessed by these writings, that God will become more real to you, and that your relationship with Him will become more profound as you grow in His grace.

Leave a comment