Set Your Mind
You won’t rise if your thoughts are stuck in the dirt.
You can’t live for the Kingdom if your mind is stuck in the world. Paul says in Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” This is about training your mind to form a spiritual mindset that anchors you in God’s reality. If your thoughts are dominated by fear, negativity, or comparison, the problem isn’t just emotional. It’s spiritual. And you won’t rise if your thoughts are stuck in the dirt.
Direction and Discipline
In verse 1, Paul tells us to seek the things above; that’s about direction. In verse 2, he tells us to set our minds on things above; that’s about discipline. Both are essential.
The heart sets the direction.
The mind maintains the discipline.
Paul is urging us to fix our thoughts. To shape our outlook. To train our brain to think like heaven. That doesn’t come naturally. It takes practice.
What Does It Mean to “Set Your Mind”?
It means developing a Kingdom filter. This means that you start to see everything — decisions, relationships, conflict, struggle — through a spiritual lens. You stop asking, “What do I want?” and start asking, “What honors Christ here?” You stop saying, “Why is this happening to me?” and start asking, “How is God shaping me through this?” You stop thinking, “What’s most comfortable?” and instead ask, “What best serves the King?” That’s a Kingdom mindset.
What Happens When You Don’t?
When you don’t intentionally set your mind on things above, your thoughts default to what’s around you, and most of that isn’t helpful.
Earthly thinking:
fuels criticism instead of compassion.
obsesses over control instead of surrender.
guards comfort instead of pursuing calling.
gets stuck in what’s wrong instead of remembering who reigns.
Paul is not just warning about sinful thoughts. He’s warning about small ones. Distracting ones. Divisive ones. The kind of thinking that pulls you out of the mission and into the muck.
You Need a Mindset Reset
If you’ve grown bitter or cynical… If you’re stuck in worry, fear, or comparison, you don’t need a motivational quote… You need a renewed mind.
Philippians 4:8
“Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable… dwell on these things.”
Romans 12:2
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Spiritual transformation starts between your ears.
What you think about shapes what you care about.
What you care about shapes how you live.
If you want a Kingdom life, you need a Kingdom mind.
Final Word
You don’t form this mindset by accident. It takes focus. The good news is that if you’ve been raised with Christ, you can think differently. And once your thoughts start to change, so will everything else.
So:
Don’t just feel spiritual — train your mind.
Don’t just want to change — renew your mind.
Don’t just wait for peace — dwell on truth.
Your life will always follow your thoughts. Set them where they belong.
That was such a powerful and Spirit filled message sir. Thank you for sharing this deep truth about renewing our minds and setting them on things above. Colossians 3:2 truly speaks to me Set your minds on things above not on earthly things. It reminds us daily that transformation begins in our thoughts. Romans 12:2 also comes to mind Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Your message clearly reflects the heart of Christ and the wisdom of Scripture. The way you explained the connection between direction and discipline and how the heart sets the direction while the mind maintains the discipline was truly inspiring. I really praise God for the insight and clarity He has given you sir. You are a blessing to many. I have been trying to text you because we are praying and working hard in our ministry here in India. Please remember us and our children in your prayers. We are asking the Lord to provide for their needs and to help us continue spreading the Gospel with faith and boldness. Sometimes the work is challenging but we hold fast to Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Your words have encouraged us to keep our minds fixed on Christ and our hearts anchored in His promises. May the Lord bless you abundantly strengthen your ministry and continue to use your writings to renew minds and transform lives all around the world.