So Heavenly Minded

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal. 
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,
where neither moth nor rust destroys,
and where thieves do not break in or steal…”
Matthew 6:19-20 (NASB)

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:10-12 (NASB)

“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.”
Colossians 3:1-2 (NASB)

“For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Romans 8:5-8 (NASB)

I love listening to people as they talk about various subjects. Often, I hear wisdom and benefit from hearing them. I have noticed, over many years, that various figures of speech gain popularity and then fade into the mists of history. For example, one popular phrase in the 20th century was “Let go and let God.” Such an expression does not sound particularly Scriptural. For example, we are exhorted to “…fight the good fight…” (1 Tim. 1:18; 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7).

One clique that I found particularly disturbing was, “He/she is so heavenly minded they are no earthly good.” Whenever I heard this expression, I would counter with, “Too many people are so earthly minded that they are no heavenly good.” In Col. 3:1-2 Paul makes very clear where we are to keep our thoughts focussed.

Paul, in Romans 8:5-8, tells us that people who have minds focussed on earthly things, the flesh, are not the Lord’s people at all. Only those who have their minds focussed on the Spirit are genuine children of God.

Sadly, certain sayings we have invented are blinding us to biblical truth. We need to see how dangerous it is to create cliques which have no basis in the Bible.

Can we really be too heavenly minded to be any earthly use? Never! Can we be too earthly minded to be of use to our Father in heaven? Tragically, yes.

Today lift your eyes to heavenly things where our true treasures are. As one song puts it, “This world is not my home I’m just a passing through…” Is this how you view things today? Are your treasures laid up in heaven? Do you actively fight against evil? Are you equipping yourself daily to battle sin and the forces of evil?

May the Captain of our Salvation, the Good Shepherd lead all of us onward to the City of God. Then we shall indeed rest, all sorrow and sin will be gone, God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes, and we will hear our great God speak words of welcome and comfort. Then we shall see the One Who loved us and gave Himself for us. We shall be seated at a great feast and glorious music will fill the air.

Now let my soul arise,
And tread the tempter down;
My Captain leads me forth
To conquest and a crown:
The weakest saint shall win the day,
Though death and hell obstruct the way.

-Isaac Watts

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