The Priority of the Mind

Last post we talked about the POWER of the mind. Whatever we think about will direct the course of our life. Today lets look at what is to be the PRIORITY of our mind. A number of verses give us the answer.

Colossians 3:1-2--If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. The PRIORITY of our mind is to be the heavenly, the eternal.
We are to keep seeking, and set our mind, both present tense verbs. This is to be our continual pursuit.

In his commentary on Colossians, John MacArthur says, “To be preoccupied with heaven is to be preoccupied with the One who reigns there and His purposes, plans, provisions, and power. It is also to view the things, people, and events of this world through His eyes and with an eternal perspective.”

This year for the first time I got a passport. When you become a believer, you get a new passport, so to speak. You are now a citizen of heaven, as it says in Philippians 3:20. Peter reminds us we are aliens and strangers in this world. Our thoughts must be consistent with these realities.

This same idea is reflected in Romans 12:2--And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. We are not to think as the world thinks. We are to renew our minds. Notice the key role the mind plays in keeping us from being conformed to this world.

2 Corinthians 10:5--We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
The preceding verses speak of the spiritual battle we are involved in. A fierce battle rages for our minds, and we need to fight against our flesh and the tendency to think like the world, and take our thoughts captive. How many of our thoughts? Every single one.

I love the imagery in 1 Peter 1:13--Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In that culture, the dress was commonly loose and flowing. This didn’t work very well when it was time for action. They would gather their robes and tuck them into their belts, and then they were ready. We need to do that with our thoughts—tie up all the loose ends of our thinking and tuck them in. And to what end? That we might fix our hope on future grace—again focusing on the spiritual, the eternal. This must be the PRIORITY of our minds.

So, how exactly do we do this? Where are we going to find out about God and His purposes, plans, provisions, and power? In God's Word.

We must saturate our minds with Scripture. In the Bible God reveals Himself to us; in it we can learn about the things that are important to Him. We must be in His Word daily on a personal basis, we must regularly expose ourselves to the teaching of His Word.

We must meditate on God’s Word; like a cow chews its cud, we must ruminate on truth. We want to contemplate the character of God—how great and glorious He is. I’ve started taking Bible verses on cards with me when I walk, so I can meditate on truth, set my mind on things above as I exercise.

Bible memorization can be helpful as well. When we have a verse or passage memorized, it is ours to reflect upon whenever and wherever we may be.

Good Christian music can be another tool to turn our thoughts to God. We can be listening while we are busy with tasks around the house, and often the words and melody linger in our minds, helping us set our minds on the spiritual and eternal. My favorite music website is godsongmusic.com--check it out!

Sometimes we need a framework to help us in our spiritual thinking. One thing that I use to keep my thoughts on track is the alphabet—perhaps when I’m driving, or up at night unable to sleep.

I can meditate on the character of God
A--He is Awesome
B--He is Bountiful
C--He is Compassionate, and so on.

I can think of a key word from a Bible verse or a song.
A—All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
B—Blessed are the poor in spirit
C—Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you
Or
A—Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
B-Blessed be the Lord God Almighty, who reigns forevermore.
C—O come let us adore Him

When I do this, I wouldn’t go this fast, I would take time and reflect upon each attribute, each verse, each song.

What have you found that helps you focus your thinking on God, to set your mind on things above?