How To Set Your Mind On Things Above

How to set your mind on things above

The word of God says in Colossians 3:2 NKJV to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

This is so beautiful. Oftentimes, we get so consumed by the world, social media, news outlets, opinions of others, and our problems that we lose focus on what matters. God. He is all that matters and He is all that we need. 

As believers of Christ, we need to make it a priority to put God first and pursue him. Here is how we can set our minds on things above:

1. Guidance from the Holy Spirit: The first way is to pray and the holy spirit to help you and guide you in this. The holy spirit is the helper that believers have to guide us in all truths. He is meant to be our best friend and guidance and it is our responsibility to seek His help. 

A simple prayer you can say is “Holy Spirit, thank you for your presence in my life. I acknowledge you and know you are here with me. Please help me to focus on God today and give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding as I read the bible. In the name of Jesus, I pray amen.”

There are many verses that show the role and purpose of the holy spirit’s presence in our lives. He is within us and we need to acknowledge Him in all things.

• Romans 8:26- 27 NKJV “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

• John 14:26 NKJV “But the [a]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

• 1 Corinthians 2:10 NKJV “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

• John 16:12 NKJV “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

2. Read the word of God: This step is crucial. This is how we have the knowledge of God and the sword of spirit to fight our battles, according to Ephesians 6:17. 

As christians, we NEED to have a relationship with God. Well how do you do so? I am glad you asked. It is how you have a relationship with anyone. You spend time with them. So, the next question would be, okay how do I spend time with God? Simple. Read the word of God. When you read the word of God, you are spending time with God. 

For the word says in John 1:1 NKJV “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” 

Jesus is the word of God. So by reading the word of God daily, you are literally spending time with God and are in His presence. Again, this is because He is the word of God. And when you spend time reading the word of God, it is important to ask and pray to the Holy Spirit for understanding, wisdom, and knowledge for what you are reading. This is crucial because it will help you develop a deeper level of revelations about the word of God. The wisdom and knowledge may not come immediately when you first read the word but it will over time as you are faithful in making time for God.  

Furthermore, how can you set your mind on someone you do not know? The bible tells us the very character and nature of God. It is revealed in His word. By reading and dwelling time in the secret place with God, we can learn more about who He is and wants to be to us. And remember God does not change. According to Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

So when you read the word of God, know that the same God that is shown in the bible IS the same one with you today. 

The God who parted the Red Sea, rescued the Israelites, sent His only son to die for the world because His love for us is the same one with you today, my friend. 

This gives us an assured confidence that we can rely on Him because if He did it in His word before, He can do it again for us if we ask (1 John 5:14 NKJV).

For all of God’s promises are Yes and Amen and He will help you (2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV). He promised it. And God is not a man that He shall lie (Numbers 23:19 NKJV). No, He is faithful and true (Psalms 33:4). It is His name. And His name expresses the very character who He will forever be.

3. Be still:  Being still in the presence of the Lord is very important. The word of God says in Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” 

One way of being still in the Lord is to sit silently after praying to Him or reading the bible. When you do this, you can hear the small still voice of God. 

Oftentimes when we pray to God and voice our concerns, we abruptly walk away. In doing this, it is a one way conversation. But God desires a relationship. He has revelations and knowledge He wants to reveal to us. Even answers to our prayers. So it is important that we sit still and hear what God has to say. 

Go into your secret place to do this. This can be inside your car or room, really anywhere that you can meet God and you are alone. Then set a timer. The timer can be for as long as you want. 

To start off, if you prayed and talked for 30 minutes, then set another 30 minute timer to be still. Close your eyes and just clear your head. Focus on Him and what He wants to say. Many thoughts will come to your mind, especially if it is your first time but simply quickly write them down and continue closing your eyes and focus on God

When you first do this, you may not hear anything. But keep going and being faithful in seeking the Lord. For the word says seek and you will find.

If you keep showing up to your secret place, He will speak. And you will be able to hear Him because you have been practicing daily on learning how to hear His voice by remaining still.

Conclusion

Setting our minds on things above is truly a blessing. It sets us up for a successful life, one focused and centered in Christ. 

When we do this, we have deeper focus and understanding of the purpose of our life. This is because our very creator is speaking to us and shaping us to who He designed us to be.

We are created to carry his glory and be glory carriers. To bring the kingdom of heaven on earth, to go make disciples, to be salt on earth, and a light to those in need. 

The only way we can do all of this is focusing on what only matters in life. God.

I pray this message encourages you to seek a deeper relationship with God and truly spend time in His presence to know His heart.

Blessing: “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)

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