by Cass Giacone
“Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].”
Colossians 3:2
We need to put our minds where we want our lives to be because our lives follow where our thoughts lead. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he in behavior” (Prov 23:7)
What we think about determine the quality of our life. When we think joyful heavenly thoughts, we live a joy-filled life.
If we are taking on the characteristics of our Creator and True Father then we won’t be thinking on things that are low, common or ungodly, unfruitful and unproductive.
—Low thoughts include thinking about what you don’t have instead of what you do have, and thinking about people who have things you don’t have and saying they don’t deserve them. Jealousy, pride, anger, comparison, criticism and judgment are low, as is holding grudges against people instead of forgiving them and allowing the enemy to harden your heart and cause division. Focusing on your faults instead of your strengths is low, and so is wallowing in self-pity and feeling condemned about you past mistakes.
—High thinking is the opposite of low thinking. When your thoughts are set on things above, you thank God for every blessing you do have instead of complaining and grumbling about what you don’t have. You rejoice with others when over their successes instead of being envious. You choose peace over anger, humility over pride, mercy over judgment, and forgiveness over unforgiveness. You pray and submit to God and His will instead of taking matters into your own hands, you choose self surrender instead of self will; you stand firm in the faith that God has a bright future for you instead of feeling guilty and condemned over your past. You receive grace and help in your time of need. You think and assume the best of everyone instead of thinking accusatory thoughts and the worst. High thoughts lead to JOY.
A double minded person is unstable in all they do (James 1:6,8). The Spirit of God will lead and guide us into all truth, this is where we have an opportunity to receive revelation truth from our Father. It is our choice then to stand firm in the truth and take every thought captive to bring it into obedience to Christ. If we have received the Spirit of God we have the mind of Christ. This is how you defeat the devil in the battlefield of the mind. Ask God for just one Word, one Promise, one Scripture for you and meditate on it, let it become an experience not just head knowledge but a truth that actually brings lasting change. One Word from God can change the trajectory of your whole life if you choose to believe Him who is faithful and true.
“Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.”
Philippians 4:8
“And you will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever you do, you prosper [and come to maturity].”
