THE DUAL MINDSET OF CHRISTIANS
Christians live with two mindsets: worldliness or a heavenly mindset. Paul told us to
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” Col.3:2 KJV
Most other translations say, “Set your mind on things above,” thus a mindset.
Christians live on the earth but nevertheless are to focus on heavenly things. Materialism, worldly possessions, fame, position or status, and even overly pursuing prosperity should not be the mindset of Christians. There is nothing wrong with having nice things or living a comfortable or successful life on earth, but Paul's warning is to not put our affections on earthly things but heavenly things. The apostle John said the same thing:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
It is important to understand that we are in the world but not of the world. We exist in the world, but we are in the kingdom of God. Jesus, referring to believers said:
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:16
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There are several reasons why worldliness and world mindedness are dangerous rather than heavenly mindedness.
First the World has been corrupted by sin whereas Heaven is untouched by sin and is perfect.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16
The world rejected Jesus:
“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” John 1:10
The word opposes Christians as it opposed Jesus:
“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:19
“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:14
The world is full of trouble and hardship:
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Satan is the God and ruler of the world:
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Cor. 4:4
The world is the enemy of God!
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4
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The world is not just a physical place. It is more than the earth, a planet. It is a system. It is the governing power of our existence when we live on the earth. Heaven is completely ruled by God and the power of his love, but earth is run by an opposing system of selfishness, sin and corruptness. Paul implied this in Colossians:
“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances.” Col. 2:20
The earthly principles of life and governing laws or ordinances do not govern us but the laws of heaven and principles of Christ. We are to be heavenly minded not earthly minded because we not only place our affections there but derive our laws and principles from there. When we are saved, we become citizens of heaven (Phil.3:20) and therefore must walk with our focus on heaven and not earth. Jesus even told us to focus on heavenly treasures not earthly ones:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
Our existence on earth should not be viewed as temporal (worldly) but temporary!
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18
We have to look at life from the eternal viewpoint not this short and finite life on earth. Jesus sought to break people free from the mortal earthly life to the heavenly eternal life. We often get so busy in life that we forget that it not only has an expiration date, but its intrinsic value is dull and empty compared to the heavenly reality of everlasting life! We are to live our life on earth with a focus on heaven. He said he went away to prepare a place for us, not on earth but in heaven:
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
“But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Heb. 11:16
Prayer, fellowship, God's Word, all help to shift our mind from the earth to the spiritual, the kingdom of God and the heavenly abode of God where the saints that have gone before us dwell. As Paul said:
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Col 3:1-2
