SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1068

“Spiritually Minded”

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… (Colossians 3:1-4)

I heard a sermon preached once where the speaker made a statement that people can be ‘so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good’. In light of the Truth of God’s Word, is this statement even remotely true? I imagine that there are false Christians who appear religious (act heavenly-minded) in certain contexts and otherwise blend into the world (no earthly good).  These are the ones of whom Jesus says He never knew. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord…And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

But this is a narrow line to paint with such a broad brush that heavenly-minded people are no earthly good. In fact, the Word of God contradicts this notion and repeatedly exhorts us to be spiritually and heavenly minded. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8)

Spiritually minded people recognize that they are sojourners here on earth and that their citizenship is in heaven. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20)

Heavenly minded people however do not wait idly but remain occupied in the service of the Lord. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)

Spiritually minded Christians walk with the Lord. They bring the Love, Grace, and Peace of His presence into all the worldly contexts they are involved in. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! (1 Chronicles 16:11)

Indeed, we must be spiritually minded in order to be of any earthly good. We must be salt and light in this dark, unsavory world. “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

It is the heavenly minded Christian who impacts the earth for good. Those with the mind of Christ work to elect officials and government representatives based upon biblical moral values rather than the empty promise of worldly gain.

It is the spiritually minded who walk with the Lord that impact the world for good by their example of saying ‘No’ to sin when temptation and opportunity present itself.

May you be so spiritually minded that you are earthly good.