Set Your Mind

Mass shootings. Gender dysphoria. Kidnappings. Pandemics. Murder. Hate. More shootings. "Bees are fish." "And, in other news ..." More of the same. It is disturbing. Watching the news is supposed to be enlightening -- "keeping informed" -- but they're finding that too many become too involved in too much media consumption between news outlets, Internet, and social media, increasing anxiety, depression, and anger. It's almost impossible to operate in this society without an overload of what we glibly call "news" (but what would be better described in our day as "propaganda"). They are not offering "just the facts." And they are not offering "balanced," either in opinion or in positive and negative content. "If it bleeds, it leads" is the rule. So we come away with a lot of information, almost all of it negative, and not all of it true.

What's a Christian to do? Sure, the world is going to operate in accord with "the prince of the power of the air." We shouldn't expect otherwise. But what are we to do? Well, let's see if we can find a biblical suggestion.

Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Php 4:8)

To be honest, try as I might, I can't fit the six o'clock news cycle into those categories these days.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Col 3:1-2)

Isn't this a "suggestion" to give our mental attention to "things that are above" instead of our current world events? Certainly it doesn't preclude "keeping informed," but it does push us away from making the ongoing world our primary focus. And, given the unease that any newsfeed these days provides, God gives us His very own solution to anxiety.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:6-7)

We are not commanded to completely disengage from this world (John 17:15). We are to be in the world. We are just not supposed to be of the world (John 17:16). We are "sojourners" -- just passing through (1 Peter 2:11). This world is not our home. We have a better home and a better God and a better Savior. So, how would we go about remaining informed while dwelling only on those things "worthy of praise" and setting our minds on the things above rather the things on earth? How would our outlook change if we brought all of our concerns to God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving? I would suspect we'd see far fewer angry or worried believers if we just followed our written instructions.