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Colossians 3:2 - HEAVENLY MINDED.

Colossians 3:2 (NIV) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2 (NLT) Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

INTRODUCTION

   In Colossians 3, he explains true Christian behavior - putting on the new nature by accepting Christ and regarding the earthly nature as dead. We change our moral and ethical behavior by letting Christ live within us so that he can shape us into what he wants us to be.
   Setting our sights on the realities of heaven means striving to put heaven's priorities into daily practice. We are to get our directions from Christ, not the culture around us. Letting heaven fill our thoughts means concentrating on the eternal rather than the temporal.
   To "think about the things of heaven" means to look at life from God's perspective and to seek what he desires. This provides the antidote to materialism; we gain the proper perspective on material goods when we take God's view of them. It also provides the antidote to sensuality. By seeking what Christ desires, we have the power to break our obsession with pleasure and sensual experiences. But it also provides the antidote to empty religiosity because following Christ means loving and serving in this world. Regard the world around you as God does; then you will live in harmony with him and see others as he does. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

To Be Like Christ
   Jesus wants you to be happy, but you cannot be happy in having your own way and following the impulses of your own heart.... Our notions, our peculiarities, are wholly human and must not be humored or indulged. Self is to be crucified, not now and then but daily, and the physical, mental, and spiritual must be subordinate to the will of God. The glory of God, the perfection of Christian character, is to be the aim, the purpose, of our life. Christ's followers must imitate Christ in disposition.... Like Christ is the watchword, not like your father or your mother, but like Jesus Christ - hid in Christ, clothed with Christ's righteousness, imbued with the Spirit of Christ. All the peculiarities given us as an inheritance or acquired by indulgence or through erroneous education must be thoroughly overcome, decidedly resisted. Love of esteem and pride of opinion, all must be brought to the sacrifice....
   Jesus is our helper; in Him and through Him we must conquer.... The grace of Christ is waiting your demand upon it. He will give you grace and strength as you need it if you ask Him.... The religion of Christ will bind and restrain every unholy passion, will stimulate to energy, to self-discipline, and industry, even in the matters of homely, everyday life, leading us to learn economy, tact, and self-denial, and to endure even privation without a murmur. The Spirit of Christ in the heart will be revealed in the character, will develop noble qualities and powers. "My grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9) says Christ. OHC 29

COMMENTARY

   I read the text again while dread churned in my stomach. The other person's response sounded displeased by how I handled a situation. I thought I had done well, but worry over what this person thought of me felt as familiar as my own skin.
   Breathing deeply, I willed my rising defenses to relax. Maybe I had made a mistake. Or maybe the other person simply would have done things differently. In recent years, I've been coming to terms with how much energy I often sacrifice to gain and maintain the approval of other human beings. I've been learning how unhealthy people-pleasing can debilitate spiritual, emotional, and relational health.
   Maybe you, too, struggle with fears of disappointing others or being misunderstood.
   Today's verses provide hope for overcoming unhealthy people-pleasing. Sheltering my thoughts and emotions with Jesus has become a practical strategy to steer clear of placing too much weight on what others think. I imagine myself placing those worries in His hands. Then instead of berating or shaming me with accusations, these words soothe my spirit when I've made an innocent error, or am being misunderstood, or even when I have done wrong.
   Focusing on Jesus and His heart frees me to live confidently in Him, relate with others well, make corrections when needed, and move forward in peace. Erin Keeley Marshall
   Faith Step: Take inventory of any people-pleasing tendencies in yourself. Ask Jesus to meet you in those moments and guide your thoughts and emotions to Him. [Mornings With Jesus 2025 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Colossians 3:2 - HEAVENLY MINDED.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230118-0848.html

Colossians 3:1-3 - How to Set Your Mind On Things Above.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210313-0910.html

Philippians 4:8 - What Are You Feeding Your Mind?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250707-1458.html

Colossians 3:15 - Let the Peace of God Rule in Your Hearts.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240408-0826.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/