If you’re a new believer, you may hear Christians use phrases that sound meaningful but aren’t always easy to understand. “Let’s all fellowship together!”, or otherwise known as “let’s socialize and get to know one another”. “Do you have the fruits of the spirit?” can be translated to “Are you showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self control?” One of those that is often said within a church worship service is “Set your mind on Jesus”.
Does that mean thinking about Jesus all day? While our thoughts certainly matter, setting your mind on Jesus means something deeper. It means allowing Christ and His truth to shape the way you think, the choices you make, and the way you live.
What Does the Bible Say?
Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” The chapter goes on to describe what a Christ-centered life looks like. Believers are called to turn away from sin and put on qualities, such as compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness, and love.
In other words, setting your mind on Jesus isn’t simply thinking about Jesus. It is orienting your life around Him.
Imagine using a compass. When your thoughts, desires, or circumstances pull you in different directions, Jesus becomes the direction you continually return to.
Redirecting Your Thoughts Toward Truth
Setting your mind on Jesus doesn’t mean you’ll never struggle with fear, temptation, anger, or distracting thoughts. It means learning where to turn when those thoughts come.
When you’re worried, remind yourself that God is with you. When you’re tempted by sin, remember what Scripture says and ask God for strength to choose differently. When you’re discouraged, think about God’s promises instead of allowing discouragement to have the final word.
Over time, these small choices help reshape how you think and live.
Here are a few simple ways to begin:
- Read Scripture regularly. Knowing God’s Word helps you recognize what is true.
- Pray throughout your day. Prayer redirects your attention toward God and reminds you that you can depend on Him.
- Practice Christian “fellowship”. Spending time with other believers provides encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to learn God’s Word, which are important parts of Christian community.
- Look for the “fruit of the Spirit”. Ask God to grow qualities like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in your life.
Keep Turning Back to Jesus
Setting your mind on Jesus is not something you accomplish once. It’s a daily practice.
There will be times when your attention wanders or you fall into old habits. When that happens, return to Jesus. Pray. Open Scripture. Remember what is true. Ask God to help your thoughts and actions reflect Him.
As you continue growing in faith, you’ll discover that setting your mind on Jesus isn’t just about where your thoughts go; it’s about Who your life is centered on.
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