
09/19/2025
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
-Colossians 3:2
What are you thinking about? What thoughts dominate your thinking? As humans, we have a tendency to focus on our own lives and what is not going right. If nine people give you a compliment and one criticizes you, what do you focus on? We will focus on that one negative comment.
In Colossians 3:2 it says we are to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. Why is that so important? God knows whatever we think about will ultimately determine our actions. My pastor has said: "We are spiritual beings in a physical body, not physical beings in a spiritual body." We are to set our minds on things above. Not that we don't need to think about earthly things, but they should not be our primary focus.
Paul encourages us in Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers, 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. The NIV study note says: "Paul understood the influence of one's thoughts on one's life. What a person ALLOWS to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his action." So, if we think negative thoughts, we will say and do negative things.
Proverbs 18:21 says: The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. A different version says: Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit--you choose. This applies to our words to others, as well as ourselves. What we say to ourselves can be detrimental.
So, put into practice Philippians 4:8. And then, put into practice Proverbs 18:21. Speak life to yourselves and to others. If you are struggling with thinking, saying, or doing positive things--ask God to help you. Rest assured, he will!