Set Your Mind on Things Above
Colossians 3:2 – Experiencing the Power of the Kingdom (Part 2B)
Introduction: The Battle for Our Focus
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get caught up in the drama of life? Bills piling up, workplace conflicts, endless scrolling on social media, even religious busyness in church — all of these things tug for our attention.
But Paul’s words in Colossians 3:2 (NASB) cut through the noise:
“Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”
This is not a gentle suggestion; it is a command. The word “set” means to fix, direct, and continually focus your thoughts, desires, and affections.
Why Paul Had to Say This
The church at Colossae was being pulled back into religious traditions, angel worship, and pagan philosophy (see Colossians 2:20 and Colossians 2:23). They were busy crossing every “T” and dotting every “I” of ritual — but had lost sight of the power of the Kingdom.
We’re no different today. Some of us get so caught up in:
- Trying to please people (Galatians 1:10).
- Being involved in every church group, every activity.
- Chasing status, possessions, or appearances online.
And yet, like the Colossians, none of these things give us power over trials, temptations, or depression.
What It Really Means to “Set Your Mind”
To “set” your mind is to love, desire, and pursue the things of the Kingdom. It is about priority and pursuit.
- Jesus Himself said: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you” (Matthew 6:33).
- When you love someone, you do the things that please them. In the same way, setting our minds above is about pleasing the King (see 2 Timothy 2:4).
- God demonstrated this first: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son…” (John 3:16).
Warnings from the Voices of Wisdom
- Charles Spurgeon reminded believers: “There is nothing that makes a man so happy as setting his affections on things above. The less you love of earth, the more you will enjoy of heaven.”
- Myles Munroe in Rediscovering the Kingdom explains: “The kingdom mentality is a warrior mentality. To pursue the kingdom means advancing, taking territory, not retreating.”
- C.S. Lewis famously wrote: “Aim at Heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.”
Practical Ways to Set Your Mind Above
- Guard Your Gates — What enters through your eyes and ears sets your affections (see Genesis 3:1 and the subtlety of the serpent).
- Sow to the Spirit — “The one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8). Stop sowing weeds through worldly input.
- Confess God’s Word — “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23). What you confess shapes your mindset (see also Mark 11:23).
- Pursue Kingdom Priorities — Make time daily for prayer, Scripture, and Spirit-led obedience.
Engagement Question for Readers
👉 What are some “earthly distractions” that most pull your focus away from God’s Kingdom? How can you practically reset your mind this week? (Drop a comment below!)
Conclusion: A Kingdom Focus Changes Everything
When you set your mind above, you are not ignoring life’s responsibilities — you are aligning your life under the King’s rule. That’s when depression, drama, and distractions lose their grip.
And remember: this is about pleasing the King.
“No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him” (2 Timothy 2:4).