“You are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Mark 8:33 ESV).
This. After Christ reveals what is to come.
Suffering. Death. Then resurrection.
And Peter rebukes Him. Having just called Him the Christ. Now denying the truth spoken by that very One, the Word of God?
Not Peter’s best move. And his Master’s words must shake him to the core. “Get behind Me, Satan.”
In His Truth
“Setting your mind”?
How often does my mind sit. Recline. Relax. In the familiarity of personal ideas. The dust of man-made plans.
Trusting only what feels right to me. The way I think it should go. The way it’s always been.
Instead of keeping my eyes on the One I’ve committed to follow.
And resting.
Walking.
Running.
In His Truth.
Setting my mind on His way. His vision.
The “how to”
The very next verse after this stunning exchange with Peter offers insight.
Wisdom.
The “how to,”if you will.
“…If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.”
Mark 8:34-35
Being transformed
Deny self. Resist the pull to focus on personal comfort. How I want it to be. My way.
Take up my cross. Learn to live as a living sacrifice. Holy and acceptable to God. Day by day.
Not conforming to this world. But being transformed. By the renewal of my mind.
That I may discern the will of God.
And what is good. Acceptable. Perfect.
Setting your mind
Lord, renew my mind with Your Truth as I abide in Christ through prayer and the Word. Help me to set my mind on the things of the Spirit that I may walk in Your way.
“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above,
where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:1-3 CSB
What about you?
Do you struggle with setting your mind on the things of God? What helps you focus on His way?
Related posts
Turn your eyes – Deny yourself – Wholehearted devotion – Abiding in Christ –
Romans 12:1-2 – Romans 8:5-6 – Mark 8:29-35 – Colossians 3:1-3
4 replies on “Setting your mind”
SET!!! Thanks for writing and loving what you write!!!
Scripture and songs help me keep me mind centered on Him.
Love this. We are about to talk about this very thing in Book Club tomorrow.
Thank you for the reminder of this truth.