Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Let’s break this verse down line by line:

Set

Your mind will be set to some frequency depending on what you tune in to. It will either be set for you or you can choose to set it for yourself. Most people’s mind is set for them. They allow circumstances to set their wellbeing. They allow hurtful words to set their self-worth. They allow negative news to set their comfort level. But Paul tells us here to set, meaning we have to dial in our minds to the right frequency.

Your

You can’t choose what other people’s thoughts are, but you can choose yours. We have to take responsibility for our thoughts. No one can make you do something, it’s your choice. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent.” It’s important to not victimize yourself. Reject the belief that you can’t control your mind.

Minds

Our minds are the breeding ground for faith or fear. What you allow yourself to think about is what you’ll get more of. If you feed your mind negativity, you’ll reap negativity. If you feed your mind positivity, you’ll reap positivity. The mind is a powerful tool God gave us to use for the good. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

On

We have to set our minds ON heavenly things. We build up our thoughts on God’s Word. He is the Rock of Ages, the one we stand upon. Our thoughts need to rest upon truth not feelings, on faith not fear, on hope not hopelessness. What are you resting your mind on? What are you placing your thoughts upon? God’s promises are already there, we just need to put our thoughts on His.

Things

Things refer to everything. Any thought we have should be on God’s promises. We need to make sure that every single area of life is thinking the right way. You can’t just have faith-filled thoughts for your family, but then have fear-driven thoughts about your finances. You can’t just have faith-filled thoughts for your friends, but then have fear-driven thoughts for your health. We have to align ALL our thoughts up with faith. Too many people compartmentalize their life, but we have to understand faith is a wholistic journey.

Above

We need God’s perspective in life. We need to see things from His vantage point. Too many times we walk by sight and not by faith. If you have a small God, you’ll have big problems, but if you have a big God, you’ll have small problems. It’s our ability to magnify God that allows us to see how big He really is. Quit telling God how big your problems are and start telling your problems how big your God is. Get your mind on God’s power and provision.

Not

There is an improper way to think. Colossians is telling us to NOT allow our mind to go somewhere it shouldn’t. Destructive thoughts produce discouraging outcomes. There is no fruit in negativity. Why waste precious energy on worry, anxiety, and fears, when we could be using that energy for trust, peace, and faith? Overcome your worst thoughts with the best thoughts.

On

Again, as before, your thoughts will rest on things above or earthly things. Don’t make an internal agreement with negative thinking. Put your thoughts on God’s promises, not earth’s problems.

Earthly

Colossians is telling us to think higher. Earthly thoughts are grounded in what we physically see, not what faith sees. If you want to tap into your potential it will require you to think at a higher level. That higher level is thinking from God’s perspective not your own. Level up your thinking by leveling up your faith. The higher your faith is, the greater opportunities you’ll have. Don’t allow the weight of negative people, news, fears, and worries to keep you from soaring above them.

Things

Just like there are things above we need to think about, there are earthly “things” that will consume you. The enemy will hit you where it hurts. He will attack your greatest fears. If we allow ourselves to focus on temporal things we will miss the eternal things God has for us. Let your eternal perspective direct your earthly objective. Get consumed with the things that will make a difference and leave a legacy.