It's really cold outside and we are all gearing up for the "Snowpocalypse II" here in Georgia. I'm sitting on the couch watching the Olympic speed skaters do their thing. It's kinda like NASCAR without the cars. There's no real action until the last laps ;)
But I digress...
"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." Col 3:2
Oh, how I love me some Paul! He is perhaps one of my favorite writers of the NT (New Testament for all you newbies) He is such an encourager. He loves Jesus and wants nothing more than those around him to know him and grow in their spiritual walk. And that is my passion. If I'm growing...everyone is gonna know about it because I want you to experience the joy that comes with it for yourself!
Paul uses the Greek word phroneo here. It has about a dozen meanings and some of them don't appear to go together i.e. to have understanding, to feel, to not be conceited, unified, to seek, strive for, side with. There's a lot to unpack in this tiny little word. There are 19 passages of Scripture in the NT with phroneo in them and I intend to study each one. And I'm a little giddy about it ;)
Today's scripture is Col 3:2 and...mercy...it's a doozy! I'm all about context so of course we're gonna talk about the whole chapter. Colossians is a wonderful tool to understand your identity in Christ. I've struggled with identity for so long...I need a good dose of who I truly am. No wonder God led me here...
Verses 1-4 start with a "Therefore" which always directs you back to what was just talked about. Paul has been talking to the Colossians about being encouraged (2:2), being firmly rooted in Jesus (2:7) because we are made alive in him (2:13) and not focusing so much on "doing" (2:23) but instead to set our minds on the things above.
And then he lays down the plumb line.
Put to death: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed, anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, lying and prejudice. Ouch, ouch and more ouch! Let's see how many of these I practiced today alone... Oh, Lord, I'm not worthy of your scandalous grace!
And then comes the hope. We are chosen of God, holy and beloved (3:12) and we can now put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing one another, forgiveness, love, peace, thankfulness, and encouragement!!
Before we all get depressed that we can NEVER embody all these qualities, let's remember we are not alone. GOD IS IN OUR MIDST! His Spirit living in me changes MY character to become CHRIST'S character (Sanctification). It all begins where I set my mind. Is it here on earth? Or in Heaven with my Abba, my Daddy?
So...how am I practically going to do this??? You asked, I'll tell ya.
1. Commit each day to the Lord.
Each morning, I am going to start my day asking for His help to overcome the flesh and it's craziness. Before my cup of coffee, before I wake my children, while the crust is still in my eyes because that's how soon Satan will start attacking.
2. Starve the flesh.
How do you kill something? You starve it. QUIT FEEDING IT. Look at the list of fleshly attributes again-anger, wrath, malice, etc. When those actions rise up in me, I plan to starve them by cutting off their source. I may step on toes here, but...that may include some people. Those who feed into that behavior. You can discretely walk away without calling someone out or hurting their feelings...you just don't participate.
3. End the day in reflection.
As I lay me down to sleep, just talk with the Lord about my behavior that day. What was more prominent today, my flesh or the Spirit? How did I handle the temptations thrown my way? What can I do differently tomorrow?
Now...I wrote this yesterday and let me tell you...Satan came at me guns blazing this morning! I hadn't been at work 15 min when I had the opportunity to get angry and slander some people. God quickly checked my behavior and the rest of the day went more smoothly, thank you, Lord! But it was because I had SET my mind first.
I'm at home with my boys tomorrow due to imminent snow and ice....should be a true test! I'll let ya know how it goes :)
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