How We Think

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that 

are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

—Colossians 3:1–3—

What we think about matters because what we think about is what we become. Our thinking directly affects our actions (Titus 1:15–16). We may not believe this, but the truth is evident—when we dwell on earthly, sensual, demonic things then we will eventually become this and nothing more. But when we dwell on things above, where Christ is, our minds will be lift us into higher realms of thought, reason, and action (James 3:13–18).

Too many will expend more effort dwelling on eating than thinking. As Christians—disciples, learners of Christ—we shouldn’t be this way. And we know it. But are we pursuing righteousness? (1 Tim. 6:11;  2 Tim. 2:22–23).

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2). We know that faith comes out of hearing—but what is the source of our hearing? Hearing by means of the word of Christ (Rom. 10:17; also read Heb. 11:1–6). Jesus is the source of truth (John 8:31–32).

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus (Eph. 4:17–21).

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor. 4:3–4; and read 2 Thess. 2:9–12).

The challenge before us all is thinking through God’s word because His word is truth (John 17:17). We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16)—are we reading it as we should? It’s not merely about gaining knowledge because knowledge puffs us up (1 Cor. 8:1). We “have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (Col. 3:10).

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22–24).

We might ask someone: “Where’s your head at?!” We’re asking about their focus, their concentration. So—spiritually—Where’s our head at? Where’s our focus? “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think on these things (Php. 4:6–8).

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete (2 Cor. 10:4–6).

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12–13).

Again, it matters what we meditate on, what we think about. Our thinking directly affects our doing. We cannot be doers of the word if we don’t know the word (James 1:21–22).