Carl Elmgren Supporter

How difficult it seems for us to stay fixed upon the Spirit in this "multi-tasking" world...yet we answer our own question by attempting to set our own mind in our own strength! After stumbling after Jesus for now fifty years, still I try to be my own god rather than let Jesus do it. One of the best resources for near on to 100 years is "My Utmost for His highest." Following is one devotional that calls many, especially myself, back to the source of all our answered prayers, font of strength, and focus.

Come to Me… —Matthew 11:28

"God intends for us to live a well-rounded life in Christ Jesus, but there are times when that life is attacked from the outside. Then we tend to fall back into self-examination, a habit that we thought was gone. Self-awareness is the first thing that will upset the completeness of our life in God, and self-awareness continually produces a sense of struggling and turmoil in our lives. Self-awareness is not sin, and it can be produced by nervous emotions or by suddenly being dropped into a totally new set of circumstances. Yet it is never God’s will that we should be anything less than absolutely complete in Him. Anything that disturbs our rest in Him must be rectified at once, and it is not rectified by being ignored but only by coming to Jesus Christ. If we will come to Him, asking Him to produce Christ-awareness in us, He will always do it, until we fully learn to abide in Him."

"Never allow anything that divides or destroys the oneness of your life with Christ to remain in your life without facing it. Beware of allowing the influence of your friends or your circumstances to divide your life. This only serves to sap your strength and slow your spiritual growth. Beware of anything that can split your oneness with Him, causing you to see yourself as separate from Him. Nothing is as important as staying right spiritually. And the only solution is a very simple one— 'Come to Me….' The intellectual, moral, and spiritual depth of our reality as a person is tested and measured by these words. Yet in every detail of our lives where we are found not to be real, we would rather dispute the findings than come to Jesus."

"My utmost for His highest", August 19th, Oswald Chambers

October 17 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How can I set my mind on the Spirit?

One way is by listening to and reading Jesus words in Matthew and the Sermon on the Mount - note what Jesus encourages us to do - Matthew 11: 28: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." We note that Jesus encourages all of us to come under his yoke, and he will help us.

Jesus also said in the Sermon on the Mount, Matt. 6: 22: "The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."

Followers of Jesus today see the wisdom of keeping their eyes focused on Kingdom interests. They therefore avoid weighing themselves down with unnecessary debt and with mundane pursuits that consume too much attention and energy. (1 Timothy 6:9, 10)

What did Jesus mean? He meant that we need to keep our lives simple or focused on a single goal or purpose, not being distracted or sidetracked from it. Jesus set the example by focusing his life on the ministry, and he taught his disciples to stay focused on the Kingdom Message. 

We imitate Jesus by living a life that centres on the Christian ministry: "But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."​—Matt. 6:33 - 34

Summarising the whole topic

Setting your mind on the Spirit begins with understanding what Paul means in Romans 8:5–6. To set the mind is to direct the inner life—thoughts, desires, intentions—toward what the Spirit values. It is an active orientation, not a passive feeling. The Spirit's concerns are purity, truth, obedience, and fellowship with God. When the mind is shaped by these things, spiritual life and peace follow.

The first step is intentional attention. The mind naturally drifts toward whatever is loudest or nearest. To set it on the Spirit, you choose what you allow to occupy your thoughts. Scripture becomes the primary influence, not merely read but allowed to shape perspective. The Spirit uses the Word to correct, steady, and renew the inner life.

Another element is yielding the will. The flesh resists God's direction, but the Spirit leads through conviction and clarity. Setting the mind on the Spirit means responding quickly to that conviction—turning from sin, embracing what is right, and refusing to entertain thoughts that pull you away from God. This is not about emotion but about allegiance.

Prayer strengthens this orientation. Short, sincere prayers throughout the day keep the heart attentive. Asking for guidance, wisdom, and purity keeps the mind aligned with the Spirit's work. Prayer is not merely speaking to God; it is opening the inner life to His influence.

Your environment also shapes your focus. Surrounding yourself with influences that encourage holiness—fellowship, worship, godly conversation—helps the mind stay directed toward the Spirit. These influences counteract the pull of the flesh and reinforce spiritual clarity.

Setting the mind on the Spirit also involves watchfulness. Paul warns believers to guard against thoughts that lead to envy, pride, impurity, or fear. When such thoughts appear, reject them immediately. Watchfulness keeps the mind from drifting into patterns that oppose the Spirit.

Finally, gratitude anchors the mind. Remembering God's mercy, Christ's sacrifice, and the Spirit's work creates a posture of humility and devotion. Gratitude turns the heart toward God and keeps the mind from becoming consumed with self.

To set your mind on the Spirit is to direct your inner life toward God with intention—through Scripture, prayer, obedience, fellowship, watchfulness, and gratitude. It is a daily choice that shapes the entire course of life.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report