Kingdom Focus — Two2Grow, June 29
Kingdom Focus — Two2Grow, June 29
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 NIV
We are in a war—whether we know it or not. There is an ongoing spiritual battle for our minds. Satan wants us to lose focus on Jesus and the kingdom of God and become consumed with what is going on around us in this world. He knows that when our focus is where it should be, we become dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.
When he can get us to lose our kingdom focus, we can be tricked and deceived.
So how do you keep your mind “set on things above,” as our verse instructs us to do? It comes down to being intentional about what you expose yourself to. When you realize that there is a battle for your mind, you start to evaluate what you spend your mental energy on and what content you fill your mind with.
Ask yourself: Does what I spend my time and attention on help me maintain a kingdom focus? Am I taking this seriously? Am I intentional in my choices?
If we constantly feed our minds with social media, let the television run nonstop 24/7, listen to all the world's gossip, read books that stir up our deepest fears, and watch whatever movie everyone else is watching without any discernment, our minds will be set on this world. When we come to a moment in life when we need to press into God and hear from Him, our focus will be so caught up in this world that it will be very difficult.
This is not legalism. It is about waking up to the battle and making informed choices. It is not legalism that keeps me from drinking water from a pond when I get thirsty—it is my knowledge that the water is dirty and my desire to stay healthy.
I encourage you today to fill yourself with content that feeds your faith and keeps your mind on God and His kingdom. When you do, you will see how the peace, love, and joy of the Lord flood your mind and life, and hearing from Him and being led by the Holy Spirit will become much easier.
Father, thank You for being with me today. Help me stay focused on You and Your kingdom. Holy Spirit, show me what I need to change so that my mind is set on You. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, Phd
We are in a war—whether we know it or not. There is an ongoing spiritual battle for our minds. Satan wants us to lose focus on Jesus and the kingdom of God and become consumed with what is going on around us in this world. He knows that when our focus is where it should be, we become dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.
When he can get us to lose our kingdom focus, we can be tricked and deceived.
So how do you keep your mind “set on things above,” as our verse instructs us to do? It comes down to being intentional about what you expose yourself to. When you realize that there is a battle for your mind, you start to evaluate what you spend your mental energy on and what content you fill your mind with.
Ask yourself: Does what I spend my time and attention on help me maintain a kingdom focus? Am I taking this seriously? Am I intentional in my choices?
If we constantly feed our minds with social media, let the television run nonstop 24/7, listen to all the world's gossip, read books that stir up our deepest fears, and watch whatever movie everyone else is watching without any discernment, our minds will be set on this world. When we come to a moment in life when we need to press into God and hear from Him, our focus will be so caught up in this world that it will be very difficult.
This is not legalism. It is about waking up to the battle and making informed choices. It is not legalism that keeps me from drinking water from a pond when I get thirsty—it is my knowledge that the water is dirty and my desire to stay healthy.
I encourage you today to fill yourself with content that feeds your faith and keeps your mind on God and His kingdom. When you do, you will see how the peace, love, and joy of the Lord flood your mind and life, and hearing from Him and being led by the Holy Spirit will become much easier.
Father, thank You for being with me today. Help me stay focused on You and Your kingdom. Holy Spirit, show me what I need to change so that my mind is set on You. Amen.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, Phd