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What does the Bible say about eyes on the things above?

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The Bible calls believers to set their minds on God’s heavenly kingdom, trusting Christ and valuing what is eternal above the passing concerns of this world. Colossians 3:1-4 urges those raised with Christ to seek things above, where their life is hidden with Him, while Colossians 3:2 directs their minds away from merely earthly priorities. Philippians 4:8 and Joshua 1:8 encourage sustained meditation on what is true, pure, excellent, and revealed in God’s Word. This heavenly focus renews believers through transformed minds and living sacrifice, as Romans 12:1-2 teaches. Though present trials are real, 2 Corinthians 4:18 fixes hope on unseen, eternal glory.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Colossians 3:2 10 votes

    Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

  • Philippians 4:8 7 votes

    Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.

  • Colossians 3:1-4 5 votes

    [1] If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. [2] Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. [3] For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:18 4 votes

    while we don't look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

  • Matthew 16:23 4 votes

    But he turned, and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men."

  • Romans 12:1 3 votes

    Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

  • Romans 8:6-8 3 votes

    [6] For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; [7] because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be. [8] Those who are in the flesh can't please God.

  • Romans 12:2 3 votes

    Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

  • 1 John 4:1-21 3 votes

    [1] Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. [2] By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, [3] and every spirit who doesn't confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. [4] You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. [5] They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. [6] We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn't listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. [7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. [8] He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love. [9] By this was God's love revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us. [13] By this we know that we remain in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. [14] We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world. [15] Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God. [16] We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. [17] In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. [19] We love Him, because he first loved us. [20] If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? [21] This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.

  • Joshua 1:8 2 votes

    This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate thereon day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

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