Mark these Key Words: Jesus, Heart, (Mind)
Colossians 3: 1 & 2
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.”
As a man thinketh so he is. Psychologists and counselors through the years have generally agreed on one thing: You become what you think. If I dwell on being sad I will get depressed. If I dwell on anger I will get bitter. If I dwell on lust I will involve myself in lustful activity, but if I dwell on scripture I will think like Jesus and act like Jesus. If I dwell on unconditional love, I will build a relationship with a difficult family member.
What 2 or 3 things do you “set your mind on” that are helpful?
What 2 or 3 things do you “set your mind on” that are not helpful?
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brethren, 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 there is any worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
What does this verse tell you about how to “set your mind on things above?”
Proverbs 4:23
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”
How do you “guard your heart” in practical ways?
Proverbs 23:7
“For as he thinks within himself so he is.”
How does this verse urge you to condition and train your mind?
What does the phrase “you become what you think” say to you?
Matthew 5: 27-29
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
Matthew 6: 22 & 23
“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.”
It has been said, “The eye is the window to the soul.” What do these two passages tell you about your ability to corrupt or clean up your mind by closely controlling with what you look at with your eyes?
Romans 12:3
“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he out to think but to think so as to have sound judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”
Describe the right way to think of yourself. What thoughts are helpful? What kind of thoughts are harmful?
Psalm 119:15, 16 & 19
“I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statues; I shall not forget Your word. I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.”
How do you “listen to God” and receive his ideas for your thought life?
APPLICATION:
How do these passages relate to me today? What changes does it bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM:
What has God done in your life in the past 12 months that makes you the happiest?
MEMORY VERSE:
Psalm 101:3
“Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, andnot we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”
MY PRAYER
Adoration: Father, today I praise You for…
Confession: Father, please forgive me for…
Thanksgiving: Father, today I’m thankful for…
Supplication: Father, the people and things that I wish to pray for today are…
