Improving Your Focus
Thinking God’sWay is a series of Bible studies that help believers meditate on theWord of God for the purpose of Christian growth. Each lesson features a verseof Scripture in English and the original language (whether Hebrew or Greek). Italso provides basic background information, followed by basic word definitionsand other key insights. Each lesson concludes with some questions formeditation and for applying the truth to life.
InitialThoughts
Life in theoutside world is a serious grind, but the real battle is in your mind. What youthink about matters far more than you know. So the question is, as a Christian,what are you supposed to think about? The verse(s) for this week teach us howto think and why.
Key Verse: Colossians3:2-3
In English(NKJV)
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
In Greek
τα ανω φρονειτε μη τα επι της γης απεθανετε γαρ και η ζωηυμων κεκρυπται συν τω χριστω εν τω θεω
English andGreek Together
Set your mindon things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life ishidden with Christ in God.
Set your mindon things above (τα ανω φρονειτε), not on things on the earth (μη τα επι της γης). For you died (απεθανετε γαρ), and your life is hidden (και η ζωη υμων κεκρυπται) with Christ in God (τω χριστω εν τω θεω).
BackgroundInformation
This statementappears in the New Testament (NT) book of Colossians, a letter Paul wrote to believersin the first century who were being barraged with wrong ideas: legalism, ascetism (ritualistic self-denial),and popular worldly philosophies. These ideas threatened to turn the believers’attention away from Christ and the truth of the gospel
These versesremind us, in simple terms, how to stay focused on the right things in life sothat we don’t get off track in our thinking and behavior. Most importantly,they give us the key, underlying theological and doctrinal reason for this newmindset.
Keywords andtheir Meanings
Mounce’sComplete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006) together with an interlinearBible, like The NKJV Greek English Interlinear New Testament (ThomasNelson, 1994) is an excellent way to get accurate definitions for your Biblestudy based upon Greek and Hebrew meanings.
- Above (ἄνω): “above, up, upwards, that which is above, to the top.”
- Set your mind (φρονέω): “to think, to mind, to entertain sentiments, to be in acertain frame of mind, to pay attention to, to incline to, to set upon.”
- The earth (γῆ): “earth, soil; the ground, surface of the earth; the earth,world.”
- You died (ἀποθνῄσκω): “to die, decay, rot, wither, become dry; to die to athing by renunciation or utter separation.”
- Life (ζωή): “life, living existence; spiritual life.”
- Hidden (κρύπτω): “to hide, conceal, lay up in store.”
- With (σύν): “with, together with; to be with anyone, accompany.”
AdditionalInsights
The first verb,“set your mind,” is given in the present tense. This indicates an ongoingapproach, something that you need to do regularly and frequently.
The secondverb, “you died,” is given in the perfect tense. This indicates something thathas already that happened conclusively in the past and has continual, ongoingresults and ramifications for today.
Questions forMeditation and Reflection
What are“things above?” Give some examples.
“Things above”refers back most immediately to “where Christ is sitting at the right hand ofGod” (Col 3:1). Therefore, it refers to heavenly and eternal values andpriorities, or things that have to do with Christ’s work in the world and hisreign over the world. It is learning to focus in our daily lives on what Christhimself is focused on right now.
To discoverwhat Paul envisions this to be, you must scan later into the letter. These new,heavenly values and priorities include: godly Christian characterqualities/virtues (Col 3:12-13), loving, harmonious relationships within thechurch (Col 3:13-14), memorizing and sharing the Word (Col 3:16-17), godlyfamily relationships (Col 3:18-21), a godly work ethic (Col 3:22-4:1), avibrant prayer life (Col 4:2), and faithful gospel outreach (Col 4:3-6).
What are“things on the earth?” Give some examples.
“Things on earth”refer to earthly, temporal values and priorities, especially those that arecontrary to the values of Christ.
For someexamples, refer back to Col 2. These things include worldly philosophies,worldviews, and values (“worldly wisdom,” even politics) (Col 2:8), diet andbeverage choices and the observance (or non-observance) of holidays (Col 2:16),false humility (asceticism) and over-fascination with angels, demons, etc. (Col2:18), rule-based, legalistic spirituality in general (Col 2:20-23), the “indulgence(or gratification) of the flesh” (Col 2:23), which Paul details in Col 3:5-9,and racial/social segregation and divisions (Col 3:10-11).
From theseverses, what can we assume is our natural, normal way of thinking? Do we focuson “things above” or “things on the earth?” Why?
By emphasizingthese things, Paul indicates that our normal way of thinking is to focus onearthly, temporal, and fleshly priorities. We do this because we “see” andinteract with the physical, temporal world in a sensory way. What’s more, thepeople around us have this same mindset, which influences us to do the same andappeals to our fallen, sinful nature and appetites.
How does abeliever “set his/her mind” on “things above?”
We do this bymaking the deliberate choice to think about and apply what Paul teaches in Col3:12-4:6. This requires personal effort and determination that submits to theauthority of Christ and depends upon him for wisdom and strength.
In your ownwords, based upon these verses, explain the reason why we should focus ourthinking on “things above.”
How is yourlife “hidden with Christ” and why does this matter? Why should this realityaffect the way we think in our day-to-day lives?
This phraserefers to the true source of life, satisfaction, meaning, and enablement as abeliever. What used to bring a sense of satisfaction, meaning, and motivationdied when you placed your trust in Christ as Savior. Though you may stillchoose to pursue those values and other things, they will never give yousatisfaction and meaning. You find your satisfaction and meaning instead inJesus Christ alone because he is now your life – your everything (Col3:3).
“Hidden” refersto the fact that you cannot see Christ today; that pleasure is waiting for youin the future when he appears to us all. Today we need to focus on minds on himand his values even though we cannot see him, choosing to value him and hispriorities over what we can see, sense, and feel.
Why is itdifficult to keep this mindset day after day?
It is difficultbecause our life – Jesus Christ – is invisible and sensed in a spiritual way.Meanwhile, we interact with people, values, and appetites that are sensed in aphysical and visible way, making it much easier to focus on those thingsinstead. That is why we must train our minds to focus on what really matters –even though we can’t see those things.
A PersonalTranslation
Before youconsider how to apply this truth to your life by allowing it to change yourmindset and approach to life, write out a personal translation. Use what youhave learned to write this verse in yourown words.
Questions forPersonal Application
- What are some “things of the earth” that easily consume your thoughts throughout the week?
- How can you replace these thoughts and shift this focus to “things above?”
