There is something sanctifying about fixating our eyes on Heaven and the glories to be experienced there. It’s no wonder the Apostle Paul exhorted us to do so in Colossians 3:2, where he wrote, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (‭ESV‬‬).

Setting our minds and hearts on Heaven is not optional for the Christian. Amid the allurements of this world, indwelling sin, and Satan’s influence, it’s all the more imperative that we take heed of Colossians 3:2 by fixing our gaze on glory.

When we consistently obey this exhortation, several things take place, but let’s draw our attention to two.

Sin Becomes Less Appealing

I tweeted recently, “Today, think on the glories that await us in Heaven. I find that the more I think on Heaven, the less appealing sin becomes.” Indeed, it does. The more I stare at the glories of Heaven, the easier it is to ignore the deceptive enticements of sin.

It is when we daydream about the world and get caught up in worldly pursuits that sin is more prevalent in our lives. We give sin—whether intentional or not—a firm grip on our hearts when we take our eyes off the glories of Heaven. We lose the eternal perspective and replace it with the anxieties of this world.

We suffocate sin when we ponder the glories that await us in Heaven. It loses its enticement, its appeal, its attraction. Say a fast-food burger and a big, juicy steak is set in front of you. Why would you choose the burger when you can have the steak?

In the same token, why would we want sin when we can ponder the future realities of Heaven? It’s no contest, and it reveals how absurd it is when we do choose sin.

The more we look at Heaven, the less sin sounds good to us.

Fear Vanishes

Another benefit of keeping our eyes on the glories of Heaven is our fear lessens or even disappears. Our fear of trials, fear of man, and fear of death are trampled by gazing at Heaven.

Fear of trials. I gain a biblical perspective of trials when my mind is focused on eternity. As a result, I remember these temporary afflictions are meant to prepare us for the glory we will experience (2 Cor. 4:17). And that glory is far, far better. When we look to what is unseen (v. 18), then we are able to not worry about things we do see and experience—even death.

Fear of death. Death does not have the last word—Jesus does. And by God’s sovereign grace, we can look forward to experiencing eternal life with Jesus in glory. This glorious reality shuts the door on death’s ability to scare us. As believers, the future grace we will experience in Heaven causes any fear of death to abate. It’s hard to fear death when Heaven is on our minds; for we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, what awaits us on the other side.

Don’t Become Distracted

We live in a world of endless distractions, of unceasing sinful pleasures that creep up on us at every corner. Look out for them. Resist them. And the way to do so is by focusing on our eternal destination: Heaven.

Nothing can stop us when our eyes are focused on glory. Fear is vanished, anxiety disappears, and worry exits the door. We become so enraptured with what we will experience in the New Earth that the cares, fears, and temptations of this present Earth quickly fade into the abyss. The pleasures of this world dissolve when compared to the eternal pleasures of Heaven.

Christian, keep your eyes on Heaven, and everything will be okay.