Where's Your Focus?

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” —Colossians 3:2

What we focus on shapes who we become.

That’s why the Spirit doesn’t just call us to believe in Christ; He calls us to fix our minds on Him. Because when your heart is anchored in heaven, your decisions on earth begin to reflect Kingdom values.

What is said in Colossians 3:2 is more than a call to think about heaven occasionally. The word “set” means to fix, to lock in. It’s like setting a compass. You point it north, and everything else aligns accordingly.

When you set your mind on things above, your responses change. You no longer need to win every argument. You begin to see people, not just problems or perceptions. You start to think in terms of restoration rather than retribution. You develop a mindset that says, “What matters most is not proving myself right, but honoring Christ.”

That kind of focus produces spiritual maturity. It gives you patience with the weak, humility in conflict, and peace in uncertainty. It frees you from the need to control. It reshapes your tone. It softens harsh edges. It helps you see others with compassion, not suspicion.

The opposite is also true.

When your focus is on earthly things … control, approval, power, and image … you begin to respond out of fear. You become reactive. Critical. Defensive. You start drawing lines to protect your circle instead of opening the door to welcome the hurting. You confuse suspicion for discernment, and confidence for harshness.

Sometimes people say it’s about truth, but when someone is consumed with rules, precision, and gatekeeping, it’s often more about control, fear, or reputation. The focus isn’t on Christ. It’s on protecting systems, defending legacies, or guarding institutional identity.

That’s an earthly mindset, no matter how polished it sounds.

But when your mind is set on things above, your heart starts to reflect the heart of Christ. Instead of fear, there’s trust. Instead of control, there’s mercy. Instead of suspicion, there’s grace.

Jesus said,
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” —Matthew 6:21

If your treasure is the Kingdom, your heart will reflect the King.
If your treasure is preserving a system or protecting your comfort, your heart will follow that too, and it may lead you further from Christ than you realize.

So ask yourself:

What are your priorities revealing about your focus?
Are your daily decisions shaped by eternal truth, or by what feels safe and familiar?
Are you reflecting the character of Christ, or just defending your own corner?

A mindset on Christ will always move toward humility, mercy, and hope.

It will always lift people up, not push them out.