Setting the Mind

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2

Former President Woodrow Wilson once said, “He that will not command his thoughts will soon lose command of his actions.” There is an ongoing, invisible battle for the control of your mind. I hope you understand why you cannot afford to lose this battle. You cannot afford to let your children lose this battle. We cannot afford for our families to lose this battle. Why is winning the battle for your mind so important? The answer is because the only way, like President Wilson said, to stay in control of you, is to stay in control of your mind.

I’m sure there are many of you who feel like you are fighting a losing battle against your mind. Perhaps your mind is full of sinful thoughts, or you are plagued with thoughts of regret, guilt, anxiety, depression, or even suicide. Whatever you are battling in your mind, please know this: If you know Jesus, you are not fighting for victory – you are fighting from victory.

Jesus Christ has already won the war for your mind. Now, you must learn how to win this battle through Him. And here is more good news…you already have all the weapons you need. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us that we have access to supernatural weapons…weapons that destroy mental strongholds and anything that is set against the knowledge of God. What an amazing truth!

The first step to winning this battle through Christ is by directing your mind to the right things. Colossians 3:2 simply says to set your mind on eternal things, not the temporary, earthly things that seek to hijack your thought life. That one little word, “set,” is so important. It reveals that you decide where your mind is set. You determine the direction of your thoughts. In Christ, you have been given the power to allow or resist certain thoughts and ideas.

So when those negative or sinful thoughts creep into your head, resist them. Redirect your mind to the things of God. Sing the words to your favorite hymn or worship song, or have Scripture cards handy with your favorite verses written on them. Be ready to fight back, knowing that the war has already been won.

Dear Father, I want to set my mind on the things of eternity, not the things that are temporary on this earth. Please give me wisdom and discernment as I seek to have an eternal, kingdom-focused perspective. In Jesus' name, amen.