Colossians 3:2

Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

'SET' -5426. phroneo fron-eh'-o; from 5424; to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have. sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in. certain direction); intensively, to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience): -set the affection on, (be) care(-ful), (be like-,. be of one,. be of the same,. let this) mind(-ed), regard, savour, think.

-'lit., be minded, think.."Seek" marks the practical striving; set your mind, the inward impulse and disposition..."You must no only seek heaven, you must think heaven" (Lightfoot).' (Vincent p. 591)

-As one preacher said, 'Your attitude will determine your altitude.'

-'It embraces, as Meyer says, "the whole practical bent of thought and disposition.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 537)

'YOUR MIND' -For, you can only control your own thoughts. 'Practice occupying your minds with' (Wms); 'Give your heart to' (Phi); 'let your thoughts dwell on' (NEB).

Points to Note:

1. What. great truth! God believes that people, even people engaged in. previous life of sin, can learn to control their thoughts and change their whole mental outlook. Carefully note, that God is making these demands on former sinners, people who were formerly hostile in mind to God (Colossians 1:21). People who hadn't been freed from sin for decades, but somewhat recent converts (i.e. people in Christ for some. years or so). We can change how we think! Are you tried to thinking only about yourself? Tried of being angry? Tried of feeling sorry for yourself? Tried to being controlled by lust?

2. Changing the mind, is the key to changing the life (Colossians 3:5ff). What. great insight. The reason that we fail to change, isn't because some sin is inborn, rather, it is because for the time being, we are simply refusing to allow God to dictate to us what we should think about (1 Peter 4:8). As long as we refuse to accept what God tells us about sin, i.e. it will never make us happy, we won't be able to overcome any habitual sin.

3. Freewill is written all over this verse, 'Set your minds '. And everybody does! We all freely choose what we are going to set your hearts upon. Nobody forces us to "think" or "dwell" upon. particular thing. And nobody forces us to "think" in. certain way, i.e. in. certain frame of mind--we make that final decision.

'ON THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE' -Colossians 3:1

'NOT ON THE THINGS THAT ARE UPON THE EARTH' -

Points to Note:

1. Carefully, note we must properly understand what Paul is saying. Paul isn't saying that we must have. contempt for material things. Eadie notes, 'The apostle does not urge any transcendental contempt of things below, but simply asks that the heart be not set upon them in the same way, and to the same extent, in which it is set upon things above. The pilgrim is not to despise the comforts which he may meet with by the way.' (p. 210) We are to appreciate the material things which God gives us (1 Timothy 4:1) The same truth is taught in Matthew 6:24 ff. The things of this world are to be appreciated, but never elevated above Christ, never the primary object of our thoughts, aims and endeavors.

2. As Robertson said, 'The Christian has to keep his feet on earth, but his head in the heavens.' (p. 500)

3. Notice how realistic and practical the Bible is. God realizes that we must still live in this world, even after we have become Christians. And many of the "heavenly things" we are to dwell on, assist us in living better, here and now (Colossians 3:9ff).

4. As Erdman notes, '"Not on the things that are upon the earth", does not imply. life of dreamy and sentimental inactivity.' (p. 87)

5. 'Don't let your ambitions be earthbound, set on transitory and inferior objects. Don't look at life and the universe from the standpoint of these lower planes; look at them from Christ's exalted standpoint. Judge everything by the standards of that new creation to which you now belong...' (Bruce p. 134)

6. Notice how God elevates the child of God. Christian, you have been risen with Christ. Human traditions and philosophy are an unworthy use of your time and attention (Colossians 2:8). So are humanly devised religious practices and theories (Colossians 2:18-23). And so is preoccupation with the material and physical things of life--that's the way pagans live (Matthew 6:32). You have been raised to. new life, and. new perspective. Use your mind to dwell on eternal truths and the really important things, dwell on reality!