“Since then, 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.” (Colossians 3:1-2)
To “set your heart and mind” means to make a firm choice about what you are going to think about. Thoughts can come from anywhere. We cannot control what comes into our minds, but we have total control about what stays in our minds. We indulge worry, fear, anxiety, lust, anger, hatred, insecurities, greed, and envy. When we choose to think and dwell on these areas, we easily act out these emotions. The apostle Paul tells us to “put to death therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly (selfish) nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
Putting something to death is not easy and is often painful. It means a decisive act of rejection. (Clue: Get rid of anything that leads up to the act. If movies, magazines, pictures, etc. strongly tempt us, then stop the input.) He also tells us to put good things in their place. “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, THINK about such things. (Philippians 4:8) I have found that it is helpful to have spiritual input nearby, such as Christian music, CD’s, teachings, and Christian movies.
Remember that whatever you look at is important. The psalmist said, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things: preserve my life according to your Word.” (Psalm 119:37) It was not wrong for King David to see Bathsheba bathing, but when he chose to indulge looking, he was trapped with lust and sin. Joseph had to work around his boss’s wife, but when she suggested immorality he ran for his life, even when it meant prison.
“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)