Note 6 at Col. 3:2: The word "set" can mean "to become fixed; harden or congeal" (NAHD). This is the way it is used in this verse. This is speaking of a permanent focus on things above.

David "fixed" his heart on praising the Lord to such a degree that even in the midst of terrible adversity, it remained steadfast (Ps. 57:7). Those who do not fix their heart on the things of God in advance of problems will succumb to the temptation (2 Chr. 12:14).

The Lord made our hearts as the driving force behind our actions. No one can consistently act contrary to his heart (Prov. 4:23). And our heart doesn't change quickly. Jesus said the people's hearts had "waxed" gross (Mt. 13:15). This is talking about a process of change that takes place over a period of time (see note 3 at Mt. 13:15, p. 191).

This process can either be positive or a negative. Positively speaking, our heart can be so set on things above that it would be difficult to immediately change and follow the devil. It takes a period of time to move away from what our affections are set on. In the negative, if our heart is not set on the things above, then it would be difficult to go contrary to what we have been focusing on and follow God. It takes a process to turn our hearts towards God.

It takes time to "set our affections on things above" just like it takes time for concrete to set. But once concrete sets, it is not easily altered. Likewise, our hearts cannot be easily altered from a set state. Therefore, it is imperative that we "set our affections on things above."

Note 7 at Col. 3:2: The Greek verb PHRONEO occurs 29 times in the New Testament. In this verse it was translated by the English phrase "set your affection." Paul used this verb 23 times in his writings. This is the same verb that Paul used in Philippians 2:5 when he said, "Let this mind be in you." This is definitely speaking of an exercising of the mind.

PHRONEO literally means, "to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by impl. to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain direction); intens. to interest oneself in (with concern or obedience):" (Strong). In Colossians 3:2, PHRONEO is used in reference to directing one's mind to a thing, to think, to seek or strive for the things that are above (Thayer).

Paul states in Romans 8:5 that where a person sets his mind will determine whether he walks "after the flesh" or "after the Spirit." "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit" (Rom. 8:5 [NRSV]). This passage makes it clear that the way one thinks is related to the way he lives (see note 11 at Rom. 8:5, p. 794). The overall direction of a man's life cannot be isolated from his thoughts (Prov. 23:7).

"This close inter-relationship between life and thought is echoed by the wide range of meanings attaching to PHRONEO. It expresses not merely an activity of the intellect, but also a movement of the will; it is both interest and decision at the same time. Hence the meaning can actually extend to the idea of 'taking sides' with someone or something. There is just a hint of this in Romans 8:5, while the idea is uppermost in Mark 8:33" (Dict. of N.T. Theology, Vol. 2, pp. 617-618).

Mark 8:33 says, "But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not MINDFUL of the things of God, but the things of men'" (NKJV). Peter's thinking had taken sides with the devil, not God. It was God's will that Jesus die for our sins. Regardless of how offensive that might have seemed to Peter, setting his affections on the things of God would have been to embrace the crucifixion of Jesus. Likewise, we need to be seated in heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 2:6) and look at everything we face here on earth from that perspective.

Where our treasure is, there will our heart be also (Mt. 6:21). If we place a higher value on what we have in Christ than what we have on earth, our heart will follow. Thinking on the riches we have in Christ will turn our heart towards heavenly things.

Other Scriptures that speak of setting the mind upon spiritual things are: Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2; 4:4; 19:14; 57:7; 63:6; 77:12; 104:34; 119:15, 99, 148; 143:5; Prov. 4:23; 23:7; Lk. 6:45; Rom. 8:6; 1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 2:5; 1 Tim. 4:15; 1 Pet. 4:1

Note 8 at Col. 3:2: As has already been explained in the previous footnote, Paul is speaking of exercising our mind towards the things of God. But this is more than just mere thought as can be seen by the instruction of the last part of this verse. We are told not to set our affection on the things of this earth. If that only meant thought, then Paul would be saying we could not think about anything that is earthly. That's not possible.

We have to give some thought to natural things because we live in a natural world. The Lord gave us our mind and He wants us to use it. It takes thought to plan our lives and make decisions. But Paul is speaking about more than just thought and that's the reason the word "affection" was used in this verse. This is denoting thought with desire or interest.

We have to give thought to things of this life, but they do not have to hold our interest. Our heart's desires should be "on things above, not on things on the earth." This is the same message that Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-33 (see note 43 at Mt. 6:25, p. 136).