Grow • Devotion #4: Set Your Minds
Dr. Randy T. Johnson
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
Think about what you are thinking about. In this passage, Paul tells us to “set your minds on things that are above.” The key action is to “set your minds.” This is true in so many aspects of life. A Titleist Pro V1 golf ball has 352 dimples on it. Some golf professionals encourage their students to focus intently on just one dimple when getting ready to hit a shot. Basketball coaches train their hoopers to choose their focal point of being either just over the front of the rim or just inside the back edge of the rim. This is true unless, of course, they are considering the bank shot. The backboard actually has a painted target measuring 18 inches vertically and 24 inches horizontally. Its purpose is to stress the importance of focusing. Bowlers are classified by those who focus on the pins versus those who pick an arrow that is only fifteen feet away from them. Either way, they stare at their target until after they throw. By the way, basketball players, golfers, and bowlers all hold their poses as they mentally block out all outside influences. The starting point and finishing point is to “set your minds.”
Paul says that as believers we need to “set our minds” on things that matter to God. These things are eternal. They give purpose and value to our lives. To “set your minds” is not easy or natural. It takes intention as we turn from fixating on ourselves and looking to Jesus.
In Hebrews 12:1-2, we read, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” We need to realize how fleeting the things of the world are, set them aside, and start “looking to Jesus.” This phrase can and should be the motto of our lives. “Looking to Jesus” (ESV) is translated several ways including “looking unto Jesus” (KJV), “keeping our eyes on Jesus” (NLT, CSB), and my favorite, “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (NIV, NASB). We need to start each day by asking what the Lord wants from us. Throughout the day, we need to seek Him. Also, as we finish each day we should focus on Him and evaluate how the day went.
Romans 12:2 explains this mindset, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” It is a continual challenge to change our thinking. It is a process of growth as we look to the Lord more and more.
Philippians 4:8 also challenges us to think about what we are thinking about, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”