Intentional Thinking

Introduction

Philippians 4:4–7 -

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Verse four is the concept of “Joy”

Verse seven is the concept of “Peace”

Verses 5-7 is the biblical method by which we can know joy and peace of mind.

Philippians assumes that you will follow these steps and have joy and peace of mind.

We must analyze and control our thinking

Illustration — NOOM Diet, counting calories

If we can analyze and control our eating, we can analyze and control our thinking.

You must become the guardian of your mind by identifying and refusing emotionally troubling and unbiblical thoughts.

The Importance of Self Control (5)

Phil 4 5 “5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”

Moderation = self control.

You are commanded by scripture to be in control of yourself — and this includes your thoughts.

Philippians is a book about the mind.

Throughout its pages, the Bible assumes that you are able to control your thoughts.

Self Control begins with the mind. It is MY responsibility alone.

Anxious care — getting worked up about something — reveals a lack of mental self-control.

Only YOU can exercise self-control. (That’s why it’s called “self”-control.)

“Nip it in the bud.” — Barney Fife psychology

The Instruction Against Anxious Care (6)

Phil 4 6 “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Verse 6 is a command.

Careful = full of care, anxious, worried, focused on cares.

Care is normally a good thing — i.e. crossing the street

Sometimes “care” becomes consuming. Anxiety is the inability of the to shut down. It is when you are caught in a loop of thinking.

Care that dominates your thinking is unhealthy.

Care that interferes with your joy is unhealthy.

Care that is ultimately unproductive is unhealthy.

So how do we determine when care is good, and when it is bad?

The Control Paradigm

You must determine and examine your thoughts based upon your level of control.

Things over which you have NO control.

Ask for some examples of these types of things.

Matthew 6:27 -

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

This can include anything from the weather to the reactions and behaviors of other people.

ILLUSTRATION — caring about the reaction of first time visitors in the church

Things over which you have COMPLETE control.

Ask for some examples.

These things include our thoughts, eating habits, goals, opinions, responses, etc.

You should focus and concentrate on these things.

These things are few, and far between, so ...

Things over which you have SOME control.

You must focus on YOUR part of the equation.

Do you best at that part for which you are responsible.

I.E. preaching. — I put in the work, but I cannot control the response.

DO NOT focus on outcomes that are beyond your control.

Even though you may be able to control some things, you may not be able to control outcomes.

Be satisfied when you have done your personal best, and then leave the rest to God.

I should be using these paradigms to analyze my thoughts.

The Time Paradigm

You must determine and examine your thoughts based on the time setting of the issue.

Do not think about the negative PAST.

Philippians 3:13 -

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

You have no control over the past; it cannot be changed.

Knowing the “why” of something doesn’t change what happened, nor does it bring “closure.”

I.E. People leaving the church, and giving a “reason”

Keep the negative past in the past by refusing to think about it in the present.

The past should not bleed through into the present and stain the beauty of this moment.

Note: refusing to thing about something is different from forgetting.

Some things will never be forgotten; but we do not have to ruminate them.

I.E. Bringing your garbage into the living room, just to look at it.

Do not allow regret to dominate your thinking. “If only I had...” — If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

Do not think about the uncertainties of the FUTURE.

Matthew 6:34 -

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Jesus tells us to keep our minds in the present.

The future is NOT within the realm of your control.

Do not obsess over it.

Simply refuse to worry about the future and what it holds for you.

If you do so, you spoil today over something that likely won’t happen anyway.

Don’t fill your mind with care over what the future might be like.

God alone knows the future, and He loves you.

He is in control, and that is enough.

Focus your thoughts on the PRESENT moment.

Learn to embrace the present situation.

Embrace the things you cannot change — accept circumstances without wasting emotional energy resisting them.

You cannot change many aspects about the immediate circumstances — do not emotionally wrestle with what you cannot control.

Avoid filling the present with thoughts unrelated to the present (such as thoughts of the past or future).

Be present in the MOMENT.

Practice the Imperative of Prayer (6)

Phil 4 6 “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

The Christian response to things over which we have partial or no control is prayer.

Every problem we face is an opportunity to pray!

Learn to pray and dismiss!

Psalm 55:22 -

22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

1 Peter 5:7 -

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Casting = committing completely to God that which is beyond my control.

Acts 4:13–31 -

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. 23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

This [praying and dismissing] is genuine faith.

“with thanksgiving” means to embrace your prayer circumstance from the heart.

Experience the Intervention of Peace (7)

Phil 4 7 “7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Notice that God’s peace comes in response to your obedience to verses 5-6.

God is not a heavenly xanax.

You will never know peace of mind if you disobey the scriptures by having undisciplined thinking.

The peace of God is conditional. Just like many other promises of scripture.

God’s peace plan is beyond human understanding!

When we do what God says, we experience peace that others do not comprehend.

God’s peace keeps (guards) our heart (emotions) and mind (thoughts). In other words, obedience to what God says begins a cycle of mental peace that will be the guardian to our tranquility.

Conclusion

The Bible places the responsibility of mental discipline on us — this is “self” control.

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 -

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Recap the Steps of Mental Discipline [Mental Muscle]

Stop the thought.

Examine the thought.

Is it within my control?

Is it within the present?

Is it in keeping with scripture?

Reframe / Refuse the thought

Stop thinking about it and move on!

Be INTENTIONAL in your thinking!

Questions? Additional discussion?

PRAYER.