SET YOUR MIND ON SPIRITUAL THINGS
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).
Even though “affection” is quite a good and strong rendering in the verse above, the Greek word, “phroneo” is a little more practical. It means to set your mind or your thinking; an activity of the mind; how your mind works. It originates from two words; one meaning, “To reign in,” like you say, “I’ve got to reign this fellow in”; that is, to bring him under control. The second word means, “To block in or fence in.
”Thus, the admonition to set your affection on things above means to have control on your mind and consciously set your thinking on spiritual things. Remember that the things you think about are the things that will control your actions.
For example, you may have been wrestling with certain habits; habits that affect the way you serve and live for the Lord; habits that reduce your effectiveness and efficiency. You might have prayed about it, yet, nothing seemed to have changed. It’s not so much about prayer as it’s about the use of your mind! Your mind is a very powerful machine; you can twist or control it any way you choose. So, what you must do is to first, consciously refuse to think on those things you know aren’t wholesome, and deliberately focus your mind on the Word.
Practise exercising your mind through conscious thought. If, for whatever reason, an unwholesome thought comes to you, say, “No,” and then, switch your mind to something excellent; to the Word. Don’t be surprised if such thoughts creep in again; resist it and repeat the process. James 4:7 says “…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” God knows what’s in the devil, and He tells us if we resist him, he’ll flee; that’s got to be the necessary result!
Exercise your mind to develop a liking for spiritual things; exercise your interests in the things of God. Attend church services. Study and meditate on the Word. Maintain a robust prayer schedule. Win souls. These are spiritual activities to consciously engage in, in training yourself to “reign-in” your outward man! Hallelujah!
SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH THE WORD
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1:9).
There's such a thing as spiritual understanding; but sadly, many lack this important spiritual virtue.
Many actually function in human, worldly, or carnal understanding. When you talk with such people, you can understand why they reason differently; they only think from the world’s perspective, because they lack spiritual understanding.
Spiritual understanding comes by the Holy Spirit, and is granted you through the Word.
In our opening scripture, the word “understanding” is translated from the Greek “Sunesis.” It’s an interpretation; a way of thinking; a mentality. So, the Apostle Paul, in that verse, was dealing with a certain kind of understanding—a revelatory understanding—which the Word of God gives us! This is why you need to stay in God’s Word, studying, learning, and making sure you understand it! This will give you the personality that God wants you to have. It’ll make you spiritually sagacious, insightful, discerning and wise.
Another beautiful part of this is that God isn’t just raising us for this world; all that He’s doing in us—His programming in us through the Word—is for the ages to come.
So, if you don't have spiritual understanding, insight into the realities of the Kingdom while you're still in the earth, how are you going to function in the world to come? Therefore, it's important you study the Scriptures with excitement; have a voracious appetite for the Word.
Some people may be baffled, wondering why you’re so sold-out to the Word; let them know it's because God’s Word is everything. With the Word in you, it doesn't matter what you desire in this world; you can get it!
God's ultimate desire isn’t to give you a house, a car, a job, or money; what He wants is His Word in your spirit, because with that, you can get or create anything.
7 FACTORS FOR A HEALTHY SPIRITUAL LIFE
There’s such a thing as a healthy spiritual life. Man is a ‘spirit being’ not a physical body. Your body is your house, where you live.
You may be healthy in your body but if you do not have a healthy spiritual life, your body will soon be affected.
You really can’t serve God if you don’t have a healthy spiritual life.
Colossians I:9 -12
1. BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL (COLOSSIANS 1:9).
God wants you to be filled with the knowledge of his will. His desire is for you to know his will in all wisdom and understanding, not some but be filled with all. He expects you to meditate and study His word.
2. WALK WORTHY OF THE LORD (COLOSSIANS 1:10).
That means to live and conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Lord.
God doesn’t want you to do things anyhow.
3. BEAR FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK (COLOSSIANS 1:10).
God’s expectation is that I am fruitful and productive.
4. INCREASE IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (COLOSSIANS 1:10).
He doesn’t want your knowledge of Him to be stagnant.
5. BE INVIGORATED AND STRENGTHENED WITH GOD’S POWER (COLOSSIANS 1:11).
This is why you are not a weakling.
6. EXERCISE ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE WITH JOYFULNESS (COLOSSIANS 1: 11).
God wants you to endure and be patient with joyfulness. Some people endure but with complains and bitterness!
7. ALWAYS BE THANKFUL TO THE FATHER, BE FULL OF THANKS (Colossians 1:12).
Have a continuous personal thanksgiving.
If you practice these 7 things, you will be amazed at the sudden change, how your life will just take a progressive change.
Become voracious for the word of God.
Develop a real appetite for the word of God. Love it. Cultivate a passion and hunger for the word.
What do you want to make? It is possible with the word. Through the word, you can make anything happen.
ACQUIRE SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord… (Hosea 6:3)
Consider the Lord’s loving admonition and invitation in Isaiah 1:19 TLB: “If you will only let me help you, if you will only obey, then I will make you rich!”
Many don’t know this, and as a result, haven’t consciously given the Lord the chance to help them; no wonder they live in defeat, poverty, sickness, and penury. Let this loving admonition and invitation of the Father resonate in your heart today.
The King James Version says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” We already fulfilled the act of obedience when we made Jesus Lord of our lives. No wonder He calls us obedient children (1 Peter 1:14).
Now, you’re to live in God’s Word; not to obey, but to do the Word. If you do the Word, you’ll eat the good of the land.
The Bible says the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:5). Therefore, affirm that the lines are fallen unto you in pleasant places; you have a goodly heritage (Psalms 16:6).
Believe, declare, and act on the Word. God said, “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge...” (Hosea 4:6). Notice that He didn’t say, “Sinners are destroyed for lack of knowledge”; rather, He said, “My people…,” that means Christians. God’s own people are crushed, oppressed, made victims in life not because they lack the knowledge of economics, government, physics or theology; no! It’s because they lack revelation knowledge or spiritual knowledge of God’s Word. When revelation knowledge comes into your spirit, it enlightens you and catapults you to a higher realm of life. Go for the Word.