I had just finished that book entitled Putting Off the Old Man, when the Lord spoke to my heart early one morning that I was to study the word phronéma in the Greek New Testament. I discovered that word means the framework of one’s inner being, the way one thinks, the way we put our thoughts and ideas together. Out of that study came the book that we have called The Framework of the Inner Man. Both of these books have touched, and helped change, thousands of lives.

While the phronéma is a Noun, there is a Verb related to it—phronéo—meaning to have a certain frame of thought. These are important words in that they lead us to some very important passages of Scripture, particularly in the writings of  Paul. For some reason, however, I overlooked one of the Verbs that occurs in Colossians 3:2. Maybe I wasn’t ready to see it back then. That was about thirty-five years ago. But, I think we’re ready to see it now. If not, we should be. Look at these two verses with me.

Colossians 3:1,2—If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above (seek the above things), where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

The Verb phronéo is in the above passage. It is translated set your affection on in verse 2. You might understand why I missed it because it just didn’t seem to be the correct Greek translation for that particular word. What Paul is directing us toward is a frame of mind that revolves around the things that belong to the realm of Christ’s Kingdom. This directs us away from things upon the earth. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples principles that would make them ready for this kind of living.

Matthew 6:19-21—Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

FATHER, my heart longs to live out of the resources of the heavens. Please correct me. Teach me.  Show me the ways of Your Kingdom. Draw these loved ones I hold toward this way of thinking. Draw them toward knowing Your Kingdom.