And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3:2 AMPC
There are so many distractions around us today. So many things that needs our attention. It can be our careers, family, children with extra activities, the need to make more money, church activities, gadgets and the list can go on. We can be so consumed with earthly affairs and chasing after things, that they interfere
with what is really important, with what really matters.
As children of God, when we surrender our lives to the Lord, it requires a focus shift, our mind set must change and align with the word and the will of God for our lives. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect – Romans 12:2 NLT. Now this does not mean we live our lives only thinking about heaven, but that we must set things in the right perspective. Careers, family, children, good income is all important, but if they are consuming the majority of our thoughts and our time, then we are not in right standing with God.
When we are so focus on the things of this world, we are drawn away from God. In our pursuit for things of this world, we do not have time to commune with God by reading the word and prayer. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful – Matthew 13:22KJV. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you – Matthew 6:33 KJV.
When one’s affection is set on things of this world, they are tempted to do things that are not pleasing to God. If you do not feed your spirit man with the word of God and prayer, when temptation comes, you will not be able to stand. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death – James 1:13-15 KJV.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever – 1 John 2:15-17 KJV. Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God – 1 Chronicles 22:19a KJV. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal – 2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV.
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