Are you living your best life in Christ? This message teaches us how to put old desires and actions to death, set our minds on the things above, and live worthy of the Lord.

You can have the desire to live right but you’ll stumble if you don’t have the mindset in spiritual things. It takes both the desire and the mindset on the things of Christ.

What choices are you making this year? Will you choose to live God’s best for you, no matter the circumstances? This series explores what it means to live in Christ, why it's important and how to do it. When you believe, trust, and seek the Lord with all your heart, you will be able to look back and see God accomplishing his will in your life and the lives of others. Make Jesus first in your life and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in paths of righteousness.

Set Your Heart and Mind on The Things Above

Are You Living Your New (Best) Life with Christ?

Today we are continuing our study in Colossians. We have seen that living in Christ in a fallen world is not easy. The apostle Paul has challenged us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. The temptation to compromise, or follow false teaching and worldly philosophy, is something believers face daily. It is a choice we need to make. Decide to live dead to sin and alive in Christ each day. You must decide what you’ll believe and how you’ll live.

Choose to live in Christ and for Christ:

• Choose to live in Christ in your neighborhood, city, state, and nation.

• Choose to live your life in a manner worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.

• Choose to live rooted and built up in him daily.

• Choose to live by faith no matter the situation and do not move from the hope you have in Christ.

• Choose to view things through the blessed hope you have.

The most important point to remember is that God loves you and that his grace is sufficient. His grace comes before you have true peace in both your heart or peace with God.

We need the spiritual wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives; wisdom in how to live and the understanding to make decisions that we need to make each day. If we are going to live in Christ and for Christ, we need the wisdom and spiritual understanding that only the Holy Spirit gives.

We will also need to make some changes in our hearts, our minds, and our thinking. We need to live dead to sin and alive in Christ. To do this we need to set out hearts and minds on the things above.

I shared a little about baptism in the last message. Baptism is saying that the believer is in Christ and that they have died with Christ to sin and that they are now raised with Christ in newness of life.

“having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12, NIV).

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3-4).

Baptism is a statement and a profession of faith. It symbolizes the old sinful nature you once lived in; it has died with Christ on the cross and you have now been raised to newness of life in Christ. As Christ was raised from the dead, so have you been raised to newness of life in Christ.

Are Your Priorities, Desires, and Lifestyle Reflecting Your Life as A Christian?

The apostle Paul asks a simple question of the Colossians in Colossians 2:20: “Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules”? In other words, Paul is telling us that we are to live differently now that we have faith in Christ and have been raised to newness of life in Christ.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:1-10).

Paul doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to living in Christ. Basically, we read that since you have faith in Christ and you have been raised with Christ, start living like it.

Paul says:

• Set your heart on the things above where Christ is.

• Set your mind on the things above, not on earthly things.

We should desire and think differently now because we have died with Christ and have been raised to newness of life in Christ. Paul tells us that we have died, and our life is now hidden with Christ in God. As believers, people should see Jesus in us. People should see a difference in our attitude and in our outward lifestyle because of the inward spiritual difference that is in our hearts.

In this section of Colossians Paul is addressing practical things in our lives. In chapters one and two we have learned the doctrinal truth and the changes that have occurred in us because of our faith in Christ. Paul is beginning to touch on the truth that the believer is spiritually positioned in Christ. We are to live in Christ. The inward difference is to be witnessed in our new priorities, new desires and outward lifestyle.

Prior to knowing Christ as Lord, our desires were set on earthly desires. Selfish desires. We made choices according to our worldly desires. Worldly desires that we sought with all our hearts and craved because of our sinful, worldly nature. We acted upon such desires because our hearts were fixed on selfish, worldly gain. These worldly passions drove us to want more. We were driven to satisfy our worldly desires. Our earthly, worldly desires were never satisfied. We always wanted more: more money, attention, power. More of whatever we craved at the time.

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).

“For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code” (Romans 7:5-6).

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions” (Titus 2:11-12a).

Because of who we are in Christ, because as believers we have died with Christ, Paul tells us to seek, to set, to have an urgency, a desire, and an ambition for the things above where Christ is seated. The wording where Christ is seated is a reference to heaven but it also references that Christ’s work is finished with regards to the work of salvation.

Are You Pursuing Spiritual Things with Your Heart and Mind?

Paul instructs us to set our hearts in pursuit of spiritual things, heavenly things, things of the spirit and no longer to worldly things. Not only are we to set our hearts on things above but our minds as well. Our whole being is to be focused and set on the things above (spiritual things) and not on earthly things.

Why set our hearts and minds on spiritual things? The reason is simple. The believer has died with Christ and our life is now hidden with Christ in God and we will appear with Christ in glory. In other words, above all else we are to live with our hearts and minds set on spiritual things above. We are no longer to live according to the world.

Listen to the words of Jesus.

“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:14-17).

Remember you are in Christ. You are set apart. You are no longer to live according to the passions of this world.

Why & How Should We Remove Worldly Desires?

As we set our affections on the things above, we need to take practical steps to remove worldly passions and things from our lives.

Paul tells us why we are to put to death things of our earthly nature. Our putting to death such desires means that those desires have no attraction or hold on us anymore. They are dead. We are no longer to live according to our old earthly, sinful nature.

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).

Friends, whatever belonged to our earthly nature in the form of sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed (which is idolatry) is to be put to death in our lives. These desires are not of God. They are contrary to Christ being in us. We are not to simply cover up such desires but to eradicate them from our heart and minds. We are not to simply ignore or attempt to cover them up in the hopes that they might go away. No, they are to be cut off and thrown away.

Paul tells us that before our faith in Christ, we used to walk and live in these ungodly desires. They were part of us. But not any longer.

We are to live dead to worldly desires. We are no longer attracted by or live by them. Understand, a person may be tempted by old desires. The enemy may try to claim that you are not free from them, but that is a lie from the pit. In Christ, you have died to those desires, so now live in such a way that glorifies God in all you do.

Worldly desires, much like a desire for ice cream or sweets, will sneak up on you when you least expect them. If you are not on your guard, you will give in to that desire before you realize it. You will say yes to that ungodly desire or sweets and eat that chocolate bar.

You will think to yourself, “tomorrow I will do better, and I won’t give in to that temptation and desire.” However, tomorrow comes and you give into the desire once again. It can become an endless cycle until it is broken, and finally cut off and removed by dying to that desire. Put to death told desires. Set your heart and mind on the things above. Paul encourages the Colossians to put to death the ungodly desires and acts of sin.

Scripture tells us that the believer died with Christ and the believer was raised to newness of life when Jesus rose from the dead. Having died with Christ, live dead to those desires. We need to put to death those earthly desires that we once part of our earthly, sinful nature.

We should always be on guard against the ungodly, earthly desires that were once a part of our old lifestyle. Do not allow them to regain a foothold in your life. Do not become in bondage to them again. Live dead to them. You may never have given a second thought to those evil desires before. But now, knowing Christ as Lord, being a person of faith, those earthly desires are now in direct violation to how you are to live in Christ.

“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).

How do you remove old desires?

• Do not allow your mind to wander spiritually.

• Do not allow your heart or mind to be drawn back to earthly ungodly desires.

• Stay focused and seek the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.

• Being a person of faith and living in Christ, you are to set your affections, your heart and your mind on the things above and not on earthly things.

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels” (2 Timothy 2:22-23).

‘As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy”’ (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Have You Removed Old Desires & Destructive Actions?

In Mark 7:21-23 we learn that evil thoughts come from within and make us ‘unclean’. And in Galatians 5:19-21, we’re told that those who continue to give in to the sinful nature will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Let me suggest that you can have the desire to live right, but if you do not have your mind set on heavenly things, most likely you will find yourself feeling unhappy, defeated, and living in spiritual bondage to your sinful nature rather than rejoicing and living spiritually victorious in Christ the Lord.

It takes both the desire and mindset to live victorious in Christ.

Jesus has finished the work of redemption. The believer is to have faith in Christ and live dead to sin. Dead to the old sinful desires. Dead to your previous lifestyle you once lived before knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Set your mind and heart heavenly and on Christ. Live conscious of who you are in Christ and make choices that reveal your new nature and glorify God.

Paul tells us to put to death the desires of our earthly nature and then he lists: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). This is a sample list of worldly desires that are in opposition to living in Christ. A host of different worldly desires and actions can fall under each of these desires, and we are to put to death all of them. It is because of the ungodly desires, such as what Paul listed, and the acts that come from such desires, that the wrath of God is coming.

Paul tells us to rid ourselves of particular actions in our lifestyles. Paul then lists some such as anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lying. The believer is told to put off such things in their life. Much like the taking off of articles of clothing.

In the New Testament, when a person is water baptized, they would take off the old outer garments and when they come up out of the water, they would put on new garments. This represented putting off the old lifestyle and placing on the new.

What Can You Replace Those Old Desires & Actions With?

In Colossians 3:12 Paul gives the believer a list of things we are to put on.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).

In other words, we are not only to put to death our old sinful nature and desires, we are to replace them with new desires and acts of love, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Your new nature with heavenward desires is to be on display for all to see. Your old nature is dead.

Put To Death Old Desires, Set Your Mind on Things Above, And Live Worthy of The Lord

Have you set your heart and mind on the things above? Are you living in Christ and for Christ in all you do? You will never truly have the peace of God in your heart and life unless you put to death the desires of your earthly nature and live your life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.

Put to death evil desires. Get rid of those acts of selfishness, anger, rage and such that once ruled in your heart and mind. Set your mind and heart on the things above.

I knew someone who wanted to quit smoking. It was a desire and decision they made. The desire alone was not enough for them to stop. They set their heart and mind to quit, and they never picked up a cigarette again.

Putting to death and getting rid of those earthy desires and actions is like placing the trash cans out on the street for pick up. Let go. Let it be taken away. Allow God to remove those desires. Set your heart and mind on the things above. Do not go out to the street and bring the trash cans back with garbage inside.

Live focused on Christ and be the person God desires you to be.

Maybe you are here today, and the Holy Spirit has revealed some things in your life that you need to deal with. Give that situation over to the Lord. Ask the Lord to forgive you and set your heart and mind on the things above. Put the old desires to death and thank the Lord that those desires have died once and for all.

Now focus on Christ and understand that Christ in you is greater than any attraction to earthly desires. Remember God loves you and Christ died that you would, in faith, be raised to newness of life.

Now live your life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 but now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant” (Colossians 1:21-23).

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