Weekly Devotional: August 26, 2026

POSSESSING THE MIND OF CHRIST
A 4-week devotional series by Major Ed Lee, Corps Officer of Conway, SC

GOD’S WORD
COLOSSIANS 3:2
“Set your mind on things above not on things on the earth.”

DEVOTIONAL
“A HEAVENLY MIND ”

THE MASTER’S USE

Thirty-six years ago, when I was a young man preparing to enter the School for Officer Training, I read a book by evangelist and writer Frances Hunter entitled, “Possessing the Mind of Christ.”  That little book was essential in formulating my spiritual direction as I prepared myself for a lifetime of service and mission. Frances Hunter reminded me that the heart and the mind must be redeemed and cleansed for the Master’s use.

Many times, I have found myself saying, “I must get my mind straight about this issue,” or “my heart and my head need to be aligned with the will of God in this matter.”  It is a truth to live by that “right thinking precedes right living.”

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to warn them about living carnal lives and thinking unspiritual. The natural man cannot align with the things of God without possessing the mind of Christ. Paul compares carnal and spiritual. The spiritual man’s thinking must be aligned with Christ. Paul asks the question that is a direct quote from the prophet Isaiah- “Who has known the mind of the Lord?” The answer is... “those who possess the mind of Christ.”

Please journey with me in this 4-part series entitled, “Possessing the Mind of Christ”.

A Renewed Mind – Romans 12:2b
A Sanctified Mind- II Corinthians 10:5
A Submissive Mind – Philippians 2:5
A Heavenly Mind – Colossians 3:2

A HEAVENLY MIND

Colossians 3:2 – “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” The Greek is helpful here. “Setting your mind” refers to action. It is a mental disposition, a concentrated effort towards a certain direction. The KJV uses the word “affections” for “mind.” What is it that you regard, savor, or think? What direction are you moving in? Is your proclivity for earthly things or are you driven by eternal realities?

Thinking and being like Christ are requirements not only for an individual but also for the corporate body of believers. Together we need to think and act like one being, like the Person of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:2- “being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord of one mind.”  As an Army and a body of believers we move forward together into the future with one single purpose, devoted to striving for the Gospel.

Romans 8:5-6 - “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, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”  “Setting our minds” includes are emotions, thoughts, and will. It also means those things that we focus on- our values, desires, and purposes. Our lives will be orientated towards that which we focus on.

This is not a case of being so “heavenly minded that you are no earthly good” as some have expressed. This is a matter of concentrating on those things that will have eternal significance. Paul says in Colossians the fruit of a heavenly mind is evidenced by what motivates you and how you live your life. “Putting to death the things of the flesh” and “putting on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”

A heavenly mind or spiritual mind thinks about heaven.

Colossians 3:2 in the New Living Translation says, “let heaven fill your thoughts.” I love that! Does heaven fill your thoughts?

Paul gives us advice on how to keep heaven in our minds:

Colossians:

• 3:15 – “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
• 3:16 – “let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
• 3:17 - “whatever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”                 

Phil 3:20 - “our citizenship is in heaven.”  Phil 3:14- “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Hallelujah! I have heaven on my mind! I have a destination! I am headed somewhere! I have heaven on my mind and heaven’s Lord in my heart!

Isaiah 55:8-9 - reminds us that our “thoughts” are not “His thoughts”. We cannot imagine the depth of His wisdom that exceeds all human understanding. But through Christ, we live and think according to His purposes and will. “We have the mind of Christ!” Hallelujah!

May Paul’s prayer to the believers in Philippi be yours today: “And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”