Wisdom Wednesday: The Mind of Wisdom–Part 4
Focusing our Mind
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
Therefore if 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. Col 3:1–2 NASB 95.
We have seen that God’s truth can be apprehended by an open mind and a willing heart. As we believe and trust in Jesus, we are to “set our minds” or focus our attention on certain kinds of objects–the things “above” or spiritual objects, rather than the physical, temporal things of this world. The terminology of “setting our mind” in this translation is used in two other places in the New Testament:
- When Jesus chastised Peter for rebuking him, Jesus said “… you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s. (Matt 16:32)
- Paul says, the enemies of Christ, “… set their minds on earthly things”. (Phil 3: 19-20)
As believers, we must learn to govern our minds and focus our attention on spiritual things rather than the physical things of this world.
To amplify this, Paul distinguished between the minds of believers and the minds of unbelievers in this way:
For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Rom 8:5–8).
As a believer, we should have a much different mind (or thought life) than the non-believer. We must be focused on the topics of God’s Spirit, rather than the thing of this world. Paul provided the Philippians with specific guidance on what kinds of things they needed to focus our mind’s attention on:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:4–9.
So, here is Paul’s practical guidance, if we parse the list:
- Rejoice–Focus our attention on thanking the Lord and expressing the joy of knowing we have received eternal life. (v.4)
- Relax–Focus our mind on being a calm, peaceful person who trusts in the Lord and is not filled with anxiety, because we know He cares for us. (v.5, 6a)
- Request–And focus on prayer that includes thankfulness to God, and requests for God to act on behalf of ourselves and others. This will bring peace as we cast our cares on Him. (v. 6-7)
- Reckon or Dwell–Paul uses the Greek word logizomai, meaning to reckon, to consider, to take into account. We are to focus our thinking or reasoning on certain things. These things, enumerated by Paul, are summarized in the table below, with practical descriptions. (vv. 8-9)
Let us focus the attention of our mind on things “above” by rejoicing, relaxing, requesting, and reckoning on these specific things.