"SET YOUR MINDS!"

Colossians 3:1-4                         (ESV)
"1 If then you have been raised with CHRIST, seek the things that are above, where CHRIST is, seated at the right hand of GOD.
2 "SET YOUR MINDS" on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with CHRIST in GOD.
4 When CHRIST who is your life appears, then you also will appear with HIM in glory."



"This world" continues to amaze me with its total disregard for the things of GOD.  Everyday it seems like some people are so fixated on doing the will of "your father the devil" and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." according to JESUS in John 8:44!  There is no kind way to call someone a liar, so I just have to quote JESUS and let the HOLY SPIRIT convict them!

So how do we avoid the frustration and defeat of living with SO many who have been "deceived" by the enemy?  JESUS said in John 16:33 "you WILL HAVE tribulations"!  We can't get around it if we are HIS.  Things may get worse before they get better if we live in the natural.  Focusing on the lawlessness and corruption of "this world" is falling into the trap of the enemy and his goal to defeat us.

GOD'S WORD instructs us NOT to focus on the things that are on the earth, but to "SET YOUR MINDS" on things that are above!  Our Spirit (who we are) has died and we are NOW hidden with CHRIST in GOD!  GOD can't see our sins for seeing the glory of JESUS CHRIST, the perfect and Holy substitute!  Keeping our focus, "SET YOUR MINDS" on HIM, will not come easy as the enemy wants to defeat us.  We must realize that this battle will continue unto The LORD returns, or HE calls us home!

To let our minds get distracted by the "things that are on the earth" is to allow the enemy to win.  If we "SET YOUR MINDS" on things that ARE ABOVE we won't allow the things that are of this world to consume us.  Romans 8:11 says "If the SPIRIT of HIM who raised JESUS from the dead dwells in you, HE who raised CHRIST JESUS from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through HIS SPIRIT who dwells in you"!  "SET YOUR MINDS" on that and don't focus on the problems of this world is what I need to remember!!!