If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God – Colossians 3:1.

Colossians begins with a condition: “If ye then been risen with Christ”. We should examine our lives to see whether they are aligning with the Word of God. We don’t compare ourselves with others. It’s the Word of God that serves as a mirror, revealing what is reflected in our character and actions.

Paul once instructed the Corinthians to examine themselves to see whether or not they were in the faith (Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates – 2nd Corinthians 13:5). We must read the Bible to know whether or not our lifestyle is according to the instrructions of the Bible.

There were many false teachers during this dispensation, as it is in today’s dispensation, confusing the people with rituals, the worship of angels, and false doctrines. If we have been raised with Christ, then we should have a new perspective, which should result in new desires and new pursuits for the things of God. We should not be so easily persuaded into another doctrine, but if we don’t read or study the Word of God, we can easily be influenced by another doctrine.

If anyone has truly accepted salvation, their spirit has changed and they are a new creation (Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new – 2nd Corinthians 5:17). We can’t be in Christ and still have the mindset of the world. Christians should have the mind of Christ and the heart of God. To have the mind of Christ is to agree with God and His will. To have the heart of God is to love everyone, but not agree with their actions if they are contrary to the Word of God.

To grow spiritually, we must set aside time to spend with God in prayer and reading His Word. If we can set aside time for other things, we should also make time for spiritual matters. You will never get to know God or His Word if you don’t take the time to spend with Him. Marriage can’t survive on conversations once a week or once a month. There must be communication as well as listening to your spouse. It’s the same with God; if we only talk to Him once a week or once a month, we will not establish a relationship with Him.

If we don’t know the Word of God, we can’t fight when we’re attacked; demonic spirits are only subject to the Word of God and the holy vessel that is speaking the Word. Christians are in a spiritual war, and the majority of them don’t know they’re in a war. Anytime you’re influenced not to read your Bible, pray, or attend church, a demonic spirit is influencing you.

Thinking someone doesn’t like you when they don’t know you, and they aren’t thinking about you. That is a spirit of deception. Demonic spirits are influencers, and if we’re not committed to the Lord, our spirit, soul, and body will be influenced by them.

If we’re not fully submitted to Christ, we will spend more time on the things that gratify our flesh rather than our spirit. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also – Matthew 6:21). There’s nothing wrong with having homes, cars, jewelry, bank accounts, but we shouldn’t allow these things to become our god. If we are always thinking about acquiring more money, more cars, and so forth, these have become our gods, and that is where we will spend our time working, trying to acquire rather than focusing on the things of God.

Social media, cell phones, tablets, and watching our favorite television programs have taken the place of God. We spend more time with these things than we do with thirty minutes of prayer or reading God’s Word. Nonbelievers do not value the things of God, and when actions have become those of a nonbeliever, there is no relationship with God.

It’s too late in the day for us to be playing spiritual Russian Roulette; Jesus or death will come at any time. Whatever state we’re in when either one of them comes will determine where we spend eternity.