Set Your Hearts on Things Above
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today because we desire to know you more and to do your will. Your Word is holy and powerful -- please open our hearts to your message and bend our willful spirits to your ways. You are ever faithful and ever-present.
READ:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on 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 now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.” Colossians 3:1-7 (NIV)
REFLECT:
One more important consideration about sexual sin is found in I Corinthians 6:18. It says “…but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” This distinction is important to know. Because it’s different from other sins doesn’t mean it’s the worst sin (sin is sin, after all), but it does mean that it is harmful to your own body -- harmful physically, emotionally and spiritually. God does not want you to be harmed. He wants you to be with him in glory.
APPLY:
Today, let’s continue in our work to set our minds on things above, Heavenly things, not earthly things. As you read God’s Word today and each day, reflecting on these devotions, ask God to bring his words to mind throughout the day when you’re distracted by earthy things and thoughts.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for uniting us with you. Help us to set our hearts on things above, where you are, not on earthly things. As believers, we died to our old selves and were made new in you. (Colossians 3:1-4, paraphrased.)