Most of us live by a certain set of mental presuppositions. We cherish certain values, believe certain foundational truths, and hold certain expectations of the world around us. We call this our mindset. Our mindset is the lens through which we interpret reality around us.
A Dangerous Mindset
Mindsets are not necessarily bad things. They only become bad when we set our minds on the wrong foundations. “I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.” So wrote Abraham Maslow in his landmark book The Psychology of Science. Everything cannot be a nail, even if I love hammers.
The Bible mentions three dangerous mindsets.
When Jesus informed His disciples of His imminent death, Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him. But Jesus turned the tables on Peter. In Mark 8:33, Jesus told Peter that apparently he had set his mind on the things of men instead of the things of God.
Like Peter, we often view life through only our human understanding. We determine the appropriateness of a thing based on an earthly definition of “appropriate.”
Likewise, in Romans 8:5, Paul contrasts the fleshly – or again, earthly – mindset and the spiritual mindset. We set our minds according to the flesh when allow our feelings to determine our outlook. When our natural, physical impulses drive our lives, we are living with a fleshly mindset.
Also, Paul identifies enemies of the cross of Christ as those who have an earthly mindset. (Philippians 3:18-19) An earthly mindset values most the things of this life. The earthly mindset defines success and failure in terms of accomplishments and attainments on this side of eternity.
If you are honest with yourself, would you admit that you live by one of these mindsets?
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The Biblical Mindset
Paul challenges the Colossian Christians to set their minds on heavenly things. (Colossians 3:2) That Paul challenges them to set their minds proves that we have a choice of how we view life. We can either seek to live for earthly pleasures, possessions, and plaudits, or we can pursue heaven’s life agenda.
In Colossians 3, Paul challenges us to seek the things above, where Christ is sitting a the Father’s right hand.
- Seek Christ’s desire. Ask yourself in all situations what Jesus would want you to do. What action or attitude would please Him most and draw attention to Him?
- Seek Christ’s direction. Ask yourself in all situations how Jesus would want you to act, believe, or think. What course of action would best advance His purpose and agenda.
- Seek Christ’s identity. Ask yourself who will get noticed because of your attitudes and actions. Will people think of Jesus or of you because of your action or attitude?
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Dressing for Mindset
In verses 5 – 11, Paul lists some actions and attitudes that indicate an earthly mindset. He challenges us to “put off” these. Then in verses 12 – 17, he lists some attitudes and actions that indicate a heavenly mindset. Read both lists and answer the following questions.
Which of the attitudes and actions of the earthly mindset do you observe in your life?
Will you ask God to help you exchange them for attitudes and actions from the heavenly mindset list?
In verse 17, Paul challenges us to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus. What attitudes and actions in your life would embarrass Jesus to have Him name attached?
What is ONE THING you will seek to change TODAY to be more INTENTIONAL about a heavenly mindset?
Additionally, if you would like more about how your mindset affects your life, you can check out the links below.
“You Are What You Think – Your Key to a Joyful Life”