Hearts and Minds on Things Above

This is a brief outline of our Tuesday night Hearts Above Bible study.


“Set your hearts on things above”

The verb translated “set” in the NIV is the Greek word zēteō which means “to seek.”

Romans 2:7 “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life” (NIV).

1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (NIV).

Our Hearts

Psalm 119:10-11, 14-15
Psalm 139: 23-24
Proverbs 4:20-23
Proverbs 27:19
Matthew 5:8
Matthew 22:37

“The things that make God dear to us are not so much His great big blessings as the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us; He knows every detail of our individual lives” (Utmost, June 3rd).


“Set your minds on things above”

The verb translated “set” in the NIV is the Greek word phroneō which means “to direct one's mind to a thing” (Blue Letter Bible).

Matthew 16:23 “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men’” (NIV).

Romans 8:5 “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (NIV).

Our Minds

Wisdom created before the earth
• Proverbs 8:1, 22-23
• Romans 11:33-36

Seek wisdom

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (NIV).

James 3:13-18 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness” (NIV).

Romans 12:2
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Philippians 4:8


Mind and Heart Intertwine

Utmost (Sept 22nd)
• God fathoms the remotest abyss of my heart, and satisfies it
• God meets and solves every perplexity and problem of my mind

Note: Utmost refers to Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest.