Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)
The enemy of our souls is very subtle and a very good read. If one is seeking to do works for the Lord, the adversary will often pursue to distract and he is very good at what he does, knowing the best seasons which he is likely to be successful. The wandering eye, the lack of focus, the mind which drifts to the worldly, the heart and attitude which remains unsatisfied by the Lord Jesus - we can be very easy reads, Amen? He often arrives when we are under afflictions, pinched for provisions or seeking to do something notable for God’s glory. The higher the position of the worker for the Lord Jesus - the greater the plan for the furtherance of God’s kingdom - the more aggressive the enemy’s designs against the worker. And Scripture tells us to beware. If he can take down Adam and Eve in a pristinely perfect environment, how much more so us? Peter (and he should know) writes in 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV): “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Satan is always seeking an opportunity for a vicious attack and not one of us stands immune. But God is far greater still. We need not worry rather rest in Him. Fixing our eyes upon the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and leaning not on our own understanding – in all our ways acknowledging Him and He will make our paths straight, Scripture tells us.
We must beware of where we fix our hearts and minds and eyes. When something is visible the force of the temptation doubles. The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV): Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Our hearts and minds are to be fixed on things above, meaning our thoughts, words and deeds demonstrate Whose we are and Whom we serve.
We are to keep an eternal perspective and be filled with joy, hope and peace that will continue to sustain us when trials and tribulations beset us. Remember these present suffering are passing away. And what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal. We are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus – the Author and Perfecter of our faith – ever looking not on what is seen (the temporary) rather what is unseen (the eternal).
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.** Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)**