Every human being has a mindset. Some folks wake up every morning with the mindset of “I have to go to work again and I’m just going to do the bare minimum,” or “I’m going to go out there and crush anyone that gets in my way,” or “I’m going to jump out of bed and greet the day because I know it will be a good day,” or “this is just another day so I’ve got to find some pleasure to get me through,” and the list of mindsets goes on.
There is only one mindset that offers true and lasting (eternal) fulfillment and that is the mind set on the Spirit, because it is “life and peace”. What does this mean? For the believer in Jesus Christ, this means to make up your mind to focus on God and His Holy Spirit Who will equip you, lead you, and comfort you.
Romans 8:5-10 says, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the
flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
Do you want your mind to be set on the things of the Spirit? Yield to the Holy Spirit, say, “I surrender”. The battle is on two fronts – the mind and the behavior. You have to win the battle in your mind first and the behavior will follow. Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
All throughout the day, check in on your mindset and take thoughts captive that do not line up with God’s mindset. 1 Corinthians 10:5-6 says, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”
In order to have the mindset of Jesus Christ, here are some things to focus on:
- Focus on God. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
- Focus on Heaven, the glory that is to come - Romans 8:18 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Colossians 3:1-3 – “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
- Focus on the truth that God gave you the Holy Spirit to indwell you at the time when you believed upon Jesus Christ as your savior. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?”
- Focus on the peace of God. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Every day, get up and pray, “Today, Heavenly Father, I want You to guide me, I want my mind to be set on You and Your Ways.”
How do you go about setting your mind on the Spirit? Be careful about what you allow into your mind. What you watch, listen to, and participate in matters! Don’t fill your mind with propaganda and programming from television. Don’t fill your mind with things that are ungodly. Starve your sin nature to death. Fill your mind with things of God.
When we walk in the Spirit, we will have the power to walk in obedience to God. We trust the Holy Spirit, we acknowledge Him, we obey Him . . . this is the only way to have joy and happiness in our life.
To walk in the Spirit is to depend on Him totally, to rely on Him, to be sensitive to what He says, and to obey Him. That is the key to God’s best for your life.
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus,
Sherry Joy Collier, Artist & Therapist at The Praying Heart Art Studio
P.S. I have started a YouTube Channel where I talk about mental and emotional well-being from a Christian, Biblical world view. I also paint, talk about art-making, and other things that relate to using your creativity to glorify God. I invite you to "Subscribe" to my channel and hit like on any video you watch so that the algorithm will show my videos to more people who may need help finding joy. You can visit it it here: https://www.youtube.com/@sherryjoycollier2024