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MIND MINEFIELD. Philippians 4:8-9. Feb 14, 2021. #19.
Philippians 4:8-9 [New King James Version]
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
- Minding the mind
- The mind his highly undisciplined and disorganized on its own
- Random thoughts flow through the mind
- The mind wanders, schemes, dwells on vile and profane things, and allows unguarded thoughts to enter
- The mind is a cesspool and sludge pot of unholy contemplation (perversion, adultery, violations, abuse, corruption,
- vanity, blasphemy, pride, jealousy, covetousness, and hate)
- James 3 often our fallen nature reaches our lips
- Romans 7 the battle against sin is fought in the mind
- The mines in the mind-field
- Our minds are a product of a fallen nature
- Proverbs 23:7 what we think is what we are
- Most often we allow the mind to take us where it wants to go, rather than we directing our thoughts
- Thoughts will be judged, just like deeds and speech
- Matthew 5:27-30 committing adultery in one’s thoughts is akin to committing the act
- Matthew 5:21-26 hatred in one’s heart is akin to murder
- Genesis 4 Cain hated his brother, Abel, before he killed him
- Guarding the mind
- Romans 7 we must recognize the war to fight it (Saul, David, and Jonah didn’t recognize it, but Joseph did)
- Psalm 1 – meditation on Word, praying, worshipping, and thanksgiving must be constant (I Thessalonians 5:18-20)
- II Timothy 3:16 the mind must be nourished on Word
- The mind his highly undisciplined and disorganized on its own
- Mind Menu
- Just as poor nutrition must be rejected and proper nutrition practiced for strong body maintenance, the correct values, focus, and discipline are necessary to build a strong mind
- Paul lists eight holy virtues to screen our thoughts by:
- Truth – not only factual concepts, but God-honoring reality that upholds righteousness (Rahab)
- Honorable – the word means dignified or grave, referring to a serious, reverend attitude (Acts 6 deacons)
- Understanding the holy importance of all that we are called to be and living up to it
- Too many believers are frivolous and flippant, not taking calling, thought life, or testimony seriously
- Just – what is right, righteous, and proper (lit., according to the accepted standard – divine standard)
- Pure – same word translated saint, holy, sanctified (lit., “uncontaminated”, uncorrupted, set apart from all that is tainted, polluted, adulterated, or unclean)
- Lovely – attractive, pleasing, appealing (in a holy sense; not physical attraction), spiritually compelling
- Of Good Report – worthy of praise; good reputation
- Virtuous – excellence (that which works and does what its supposed to do) – is what God intended
- Praiseworthy – that which is commendable
- Paul gives us a high goal to continually be reaching for
- Paul, the example
- Paul indicates that he exemplified these traits
- Paul is not claiming perfection
- Paul was so focused on Christ in his mind and heart, that if we follow his example, others can follow us
- Christ = ultimate example, but Paul followed Christ closely
- If we constantly discipline our minds with holy thinking, it will lead to holy living, which will flood our souls with peace
- The realization of doing what pleases God gives serenity
- Right thinking is an arduous discipline, but worth its reward
- Paul indicates that he exemplified these traits