by Kimberly Wagner
What do you think of when you hear someone say we need to have an “eternal perspective?” Or what about this verse that challenges us to think about “things above?”
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)
What does that mean?
What does that look like?
Well, it doesn’t mean we’re to spend our time thinking about angels sitting on clouds strumming harps . . . that is NOT what Paul is talking about here. Focusing on “things above” is not referring to some New Age mystical experience. Paul is talking about becoming so God-centered in your thinking, so Word saturated, that it quite literally affects your actions.
Look at the connection Paul makes between thinking and living as he continues in verse five:
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
It’s a no-brainer that what we think about determines our actions.
If I think about chocolate all day . . . (which isn’t hard to do) I’m probably going to be hitting the candy bar aisle before the day is over!
Paul’s point is that once we come to Christ, we have a new way of thinking . . . we have a new purpose, new outlook, a redeemed perspective. Paul was challenging believers in Colosse to evaluate their thinking and make a course correction where needed.
Many of these believers were being influenced by the first wave of Gnosticism, by legalistic Judaism, and pagan mysticism. From the letter’s contents it sounds as though their messed-up thinking was producing pride, slander, and malice, greed, immorality, and impurity (which Paul addresses). Thus, the challenge to change their thinking. To set their minds on things “above.”
So, how does this apply to us? I’m not into pagan mysticism . . . can’t say I’m guilty of legalistic Judaism . . . so what does this mean for me?
Corrupt thinking still produces corruption and God-centered thinking produces godliness.
That old saying about what you put into the computer determines what comes out is so true . . . “Garbage in, garbage out.”
That is why Psalm 119:11 commends “hiding God’s Word” in our hearts as a protection against making sinful choices.
For me, “otherworldly thinking” or “setting my mind on things above” includes:
- Thinking God’s thoughts—Literally
Memorizing Scripture implants God’s Word deeply in not only my mind, but my heart. When I have His Word in my mind, I am thinking His thoughts! Is that not an amazing concept? We can literally think God’s thoughts . . . and the more we do that, the more we will be transformed.
- Watching Jesus closely in the gospels
When I take a daily dose from one of the gospels, it places Jesus’ actions front and center. I think about Him through the day, what I saw Him do when the needy person approached, or how I saw Him react to silly suggestions from Peter . . . watching Jesus closely allows me to know Him more intimately.
- Taking control of my thoughts rather than letting wrong thinking take control of me
My attitude and perspective is formed by my thinking. That’s why Paul challenges us to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). We’re moving into dangerous territory when we let our imagination run wild, when we entertain the enemy’s lies and allow our thoughts to run amuck. Truth must be our mind’s fortress for our emotions to be protected.
Otherworldly thinking doesn’t come naturally . . . because it is a supernatural way of operating. If I want to think God’s thoughts, I need to fill my mind with His way of thinking. More on my post tomorrow!
KIMBERLY WAGNER is married to her favorite pastor, LeRoy Wagner. Their children include Rachel and her husband Adam, Caleb and his wife Lindsey, plus a growing tribe of grandchildren! Kim’s passion is Christ, and she desires to ignite women’s pursuit of God’s glory. She is a frequent guest on the Revive Our Hearts radio program, as well as a regular contributor to the True Woman blog. Kim has written several devotionals and resource materials for women and loves encouraging women to become students of the Word. She is the author of “Fierce Women: The Power of a Soft Warrior.” You can connect with her through her website:Kimberly Wagner where she’s transparent about what God is teaching her.