Heavenly Alignment

Colossians 3:1-2 NASB 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.

If someone were to ask you, “What is the most challenging command of God to obey,” what would be your response? Forgiving others, keeping your ways pure, being generous, controlling your tongue, or loving your enemies? None of these are possible out of our own strength, but the one thing that drives each of these and any other action is contained in Colossians 3:1-2.

The most powerful human force is our own thoughts. In a vicious cycle, our thoughts influence our behavior, our behavior influences our emotions, and our emotions influence our thoughts. Every action originates as a thought, forming our habits, directly affecting our emotions and mental well-being. God knew this was true long before any ‘power of positive thinking’ philosophy emerged. King Solomon wrote, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7).

What consumes and fills our mind controls our life. This is why scripture has so much to say about “setting our minds on things above, not on things of the earth.” Every day, we must make a deliberate choice on what will influence our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions: the world or things above—the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul said, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:6-8). Paul knew that if left to our own devices, we would constantly worry, scheme, and try to take matters into our own hands. The only antidote is to ‘fix your thoughts’ on the things of the Lord, to stop playing out the worst-case scenario in your head, instead choosing to concentrate on the goodness and faithfulness  of the Lord.

But that is often easier said than done. In Matthew 16:21-23, “Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised the third day.” This had to be some shocking news to the disciples, and “Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’” This was a perfectly logical response from Peter, but Jesus did not agree. “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man.’” Jesus was not only telling Peter that his human logic, reasoning, and emotional response did not align with God’s ways but also that this manner of thinking was an offense to Him and hostile to God (Romans 8:5-8).   

So how do we achieve this heavenly alignment, having “fixed our thoughts” and actively “seeking things above”? The secret to this transformation of our mind and thoughts is contained in the next verse. Colossians 3:3 states, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Romans 12:1 calls it being “a living sacrifice.” It is the complete surrender that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” It is daily surrender and asking the Lord to let you see every situation, every person, through His eyes. 

You really are the one who decides what you set your thoughts on. Choose to align yourself with things above, and the result will be a life of peace, joy, hope, strength, and the mind of Christ.    

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Colossians 3:1 NIV Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God

1 John 2:15-17 NIV Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts, but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

1 Chronicles 22:19 ESV Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.

Romans 8:5-8 NIV Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Psalms 119:34-37 NLT Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

Matthew 6:19-21 NLT Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Philippians 3:18-19 NIV For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

Proverbs 23:4-5 NLT Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye, wealth disappears; it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 NLT Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

1 Timothy 6:5-6 NLT These people are looking to stir up controversy, always causing trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.

Hebrews 13:5-6 ESV Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?

Psalms 91:14-16 TPT For here is what the Lord has spoken to me: Because you loved me, delighted in me, and have been loyal to my name, I will greatly protect you. I will answer your cry for help every time you pray, and you will feel my presence in your time of trouble. I will deliver you and bring you honor. I will satisfy you with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!

Isaiah 55:9 NIV As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.