What does Scripture mean when it says keep seeking things that are above?

Paul says in Colossians 3:1-4, “Therefore if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

If we as believers continually don’t discipline ourselves to focus on eternal things, we could easily become deceived and drawn away by the temptations of this world.

Paul goes on to say in verses 5-7, “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.”

The Lord wants what’s best for us, and we would do well to heed His specific instructions surrounding where we put our attention. As 2 Corinthians 4:18 directs us, “So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal, but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.”