In The Margins

1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the 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 hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, God’s wrath is coming upon the disobedient, 7 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. 8 But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. 11 In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all. –Colossians 3:1-11

I have a golden retriever named Chloe. Since she was a puppy, she has loved tennis balls. If you’ve got one in your hand, she’ll do whatever you ask. She stares at it with such intensity that sometimes I only have to fake a throw, and she’ll take off running. She reminds me of a line from Forrest Gump. When Forrest learns to play ping pong, he’s told: “The secret is to never take your eye off the ball.”

That’s exactly how Paul tells us to live as Christians—with focus, intentionality, and intensity. He says in Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

What does it mean to set your mind on things above? It’s not about dreaming of “heavenly geography.” It’s about seeking Christ, the One who dwells there. Setting our minds on things above means filling our thoughts with what brings God joy and gives Him glory. But if we’re honest, it’s easy to fix our eyes on temporary things—success, popularity, or comfort. Paul reminds us to look higher.

In verse 5 Paul says, “Put to death what belongs to your earthly nature.” That’s strong language! Why so intense? Because sin is serious. Jesus even said, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out” (Matt. 5:29). Paul lists sins like sexual immorality, greed, and evil desires. These aren’t just actions—they’re heart issues. Sin lives inside us, and if we don’t deal with it, it will deal with us. Putting sin to death means digging deep, confessing it, and cutting it off before it controls us.

After addressing the inner battles, Paul moves to our outward behavior: anger, rage, malice, gossip, and filthy language (v. 8). These are choices. The enemy can tempt us, but the moment we choose to lash out, tear down, or curse—it’s on us. Paul says we can put them away. Breaking habits is hard, but change is possible when Christ is shaping our responses.

Finally, Paul says we are being renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ (v. 10). This is daily. Every day you wake up with new mercy, fresh grace, and the reminder that God is shaping you into someone new. The old ways don’t define you anymore. Christ does.

The Christian life is a process: seek Christ with focus, put sin to death, put away harmful habits, and let God renew you every day. You won’t get it perfect, but you don’t have to. The point isn’t striving harder—it’s fixing your eyes on Christ and letting Him transform you.

Reflective Questions:

What daily rhythms or habits could you begin (like prayer, Scripture reading, gratitude, or worship) that would help you fix your mind on Christ and the things that matter to Him? How can you take a practical step toward this starting today?

When you look honestly at your life, what earthly things—like distractions, temptations, or misplaced priorities—tend to pull your attention away from Christ? How might you bring those struggles before the Lord and trust Him to help you refocus?

Paul says we are being renewed daily in Christ. How does knowing that God is constantly shaping you, forgiving you, and making you new change the way you see yourself and the way you live right now?

For further reading and study: Eph. 2:4-10