A Righteous Mind

Introduction

Life contains multiple moments of decision everyday. These moments include getting ready in the morning for work or church, the order am I going to accomplish my task list, what the children going to eat today, the route I am going to take to work, the food we will have for dinner, the time I will wake up, the time I will go to bed, the car I am going to buy, the house I am going to buy or rent, the person I am going to marry, the college I am going to attend, the job I am going to accept, and the list could go on. You fill in the blank of the decisions you are facing today in your life.

A pervading thought in the world today when it comes to decision making is to cease dichotomous thinking (right or wrong) and move to a thinking that is more flexible (right or wrong but with safe options in-between). The tenet to their argument is that dichotomous thinking cause undue stress and anxiety in a persons life. Dichotomous thinking can lead to depression and mental breakdown because the worry over not making the right decision will eat away at a person for fearing they will one day choose wrong and fail in a large and impactful way in their life.

They rather contend that an and/or approach be taken and not be rigid on the either/or of dichotomous thinking. When you take an and/or approach takes and gives more than one right choice for a given question or situation you are facing, i.e. college choice. The dichotomous thinker would say that their is only one right choice and all others are wrong.

Today for the Christian we face this dilemma as much as the unsaved. Whether saved or unsaved we have choices to make. We have choices to make in how we think. In this secular line of thinking, the psychologists are evading the fact that gives decision making a dichotomous fact to our thinking. See the secularist does not use God and his Word as the baseline for their thinking. Scripture clearly teaches that itself is our standard for every decision we make. Jesus Christ in Matthew 4 when rejecting the temptation from Satan says that mankind does not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God. God Word is in our hands today.

So I would say this to those who seek to get rid of the right or wrong argument and tell them that it is true but what is right or wrong is on the baseline of God’s Word. Yes, the flavor of toothepaste does not have a right or wrong, a righteous or sinful choice to it. However, taking care of the body God gave you does. Today, we are going to look at what scripture says about having a righteous mind.

A righteous mind is what every believer must have. Right thinking produces right actions, therefore we must think right. In our text this afternoon we are going to see just two simple truths that we must choose rightly on. Will we choose to think right and act right. The two are connected. We cannot act without truly thinking. Our thinking may be empty and futile but our minds tell us to do something every moment of every day. This is why it is so vitale to have right thinking, to have a righteous mind!

Our main application this morning is simply: The Christian must think righteously to live righteously.

Context

Paul in chapter 1-3 gives a detailed description of the gospel and the unity we have in the gospel and striving together for the faith of the gospel. We are to do this with a mind of humility. We also see joy that comes from the gospel and living in unity of the gospel. We are to have the mind of Christ, seeking to know and serve God more intimately. He then arrives at chapter 4 and like many of his letters strings together multiple imperatives for the church and christian to follow. In this chapter you can still see some common ideas yet with multiple singular ideas. He starts with command to have harmony and not contention or dissension in the church (1-3), the second command is to rejoice and live with constant joy (4), the third command is to have an attitude of prayer and not worry (5-7), finally he reaches our verses 8-9 and gives us two more commands, reason/consider/think and practice.

Transition: How do we do this? How can I think and act righteously?

I. The Christian thinks righteously through proper reasoning, 8.

As I mentioned at the beginning that our world does not want to believe in absolutes. We want to have a way of feeling good about ourselves. The societal thinking that is crept its way into the church that we all battle is making decisions based on our feelings rather than what scripture teaches. We bristle immediately if it does not feel right to us. How many times have you heard or said the statement “it just does not feel right” or “it just does not feel comfortable”? These statements may seem benign at face value. However they ask the wrong questions. The question should be “what does God say in his Word IS right”? “What principles of God’s Word gives me direction?”

So today in helping us to have a correct and objective thinking we are going to look at what God’s Word does tell us. Let’s walk through each of these descriptors and see what you and I are to have our minds dwell on and reason through.

Whatever is true -

It entails truth in its broadest sense speaking of truth in our thoughts, attitudes and actions. This refers to that which has moral truthfulness, it is true in its ethical qualities, valid and honest, and it corresponds to God’s nature. Truth begins with God himself, therefore, whatever embodies the trueness of God is what we are to be thinking, meditating, contemplating, dwelling on! John 17:17 "Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth”.

The struggle for us today is that our flesh does not want the truth. Satan seeks to influence us to be absent of truth for he is the father of lies (John 8:44). He seeks to deceive us and get us to believe the lies of this wicked world. Lies like pleasure satisfies, God is not a God of love, the Christian life is restrictive not freeing. All of these and more are just lies that Satan influences us with to get us to sin and fall in our relationship with God.

Thinking on what is true leads to a spiritual life that evokes dependability and realness.

whatever is honorable -

This points to everything that is respectful, has dignity and revered. It is used in the NT a few other places. 1 Timothy uses the word to refer to the older men, deacons and women. The Christian must focus their thoughts on that which is noble and honorable and not vulgar and degrading. The believer is to reach to have a thinking that is well respected and honorable.

honorable thinking leads to a spiritual life that evokes honor.

whatever is right -

This entails the idea of righteousness. Righteousness can best be defined in the character of God (Psalm 11:7 For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.) It is His righteousness that was imputed on the believer at the point of salvation. This righteousness gives the believer the ability to live in a right way. The right way of living is that which is in step with God’s righteous character. Every thought and action God has and does is right and never sinful, never wrong.

It is here we can again see the rub against some of the thinking in our culture. People do not want absolute truth because then their “truth” may not be honorable or right. Rightness in thinking is based on the character of God! Do you think righteously?

Righteous thinking leads a spiritual life that evokes godly character.

whatever is pure -

this word comes from a word that meant to stand in awe of someone. It was later used to transfer a sense of holiness or purity. In the NT, this word is only used in the epistles and it means to be morally pure and chaste. James uses this to refer to heavenly wisdom (James 3:17). It is used of leaders in the church (1 Timothy 5:22). Here in our passage it is fairly comprehensive. One commentator put it this way “having in view purity of thought and purpose as well as words and actions. Further, ἁγνά has to do with purity in sexual matters, although it is not limited to these since all areas of ethical purity are covered.” (Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 505.)

We are to be pure and holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16-17) therefore our thoughts must be on those things that lead us to this destination of holiness and purity. Marriages and families have been destroyed because a spouse or a child has played with and fallen into immoral sexual thinking. We have just a few weeks ago discussed the idea of a pure mind. Purity is vital to having a right, honorable, and true testimony with those around you.

Pure thinking leads a spiritual life that evokes pure actions reflecting the holiness of God.

whatever is lovely -

this word is only used here in all the NT. By Paul choosing this word here alone places a strong emphasis on it. The word is telling the Christian to be thinking thoughts that calls love to be manifested. The basic meaning of the word is ‘that which calls forth love, love-inspiring’, and here it has the passive sense of ‘lovely, pleasing, agreeable, amiable’. (Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Epistle to the Philippians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1991), 505.)

The Christian must be seeking to have thoughts the invoke love agreeableness. We need to seek to be attractive to those in the church. We are not to have thoughts of divisiveness to each other. Are you holding a grudge against someone this afternoon? At the start of this chapter Paul gives an example of two ladies not loving each other. They were not thinking on what was lovely but rather what was self-focused. Do you find yourself always a bit disagreeable? Do you like to argue? Are you always gruff with people?

Lovely thinking leads a spiritual life that evokes an amiable and loveliness toward others, circumstances and ultimately God.

whatever is of good repute -

this is like the word for lovely, only used here in the NT. It is a derivative of the word for praise. It carries the meaning of well-spoken of or having a good reputation. This carries the idea of attractive and appealing. One commentator expressed it as thinking that is likely to win people rather than offend them. We must think on things worth talking about rather than empty and worthless.

In summary our thoughts should consider those things that are commendable, can be highly spoken of, and have a good reputation. We should refrain from thinking about that which does not build up and if the thinking was revealed through actions which will happen (for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks), that do not give a good reputation of God, these thoughts must not be in our minds.

These are to be what you and I evaluate our lives by. Everything we think about ought to be considered against this list. If it does not match this list then it should not be something we allow to impact our thinking. In fact David in Psalm 19:7-10 gives us a list very similar to this lit that Paul gives to us in regard to God’s Word. If you and I are going to think right and righteously, if we are evaluate our life choices and what we think about on this list we must know what God says about this list and ever be growing in it. For this to happen we must be in God’s Word meditating on these awesome truths. In fact 4:8 tells us in the last two phrases by way of an all encompassing summary to not think on anything that is:

moral excellence/worthy of praise or commendation -

Having thoughts that are characterized by moral excellence and virtue will propel us to live more like Christ. We must think on whatever is good and promotes praise.

This summarizes and includes the above 6 qualities and all other qualities not mentioned of our thinking. If it is not morally excellent (standard is God) or cannot draw out actions worthy of God-honoring praisewe ought not dwell on it nad let it consume our thinking.

Example: Worry is something we all struggle with in some shape or fashion. Worry does not match up with any of these qualities. It is not true as it conjures up false thinking about your situation and God’s control over the situation.

The negative of this positive command, a command that has a either/or choice, is to refuse that which is opposite of these demands on our thoughts. When temptation to think in opposition to God’s laid out methods for our thinking comes to press us we must evaluate them according to this text. God has given us a wonderful sieve to pour our thoughts into, that sieve is scripture! Everything in scripture will tell you what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good report, moral excellence, and praiseworthy. It may be a positive or negative example but it will show and demonstrate to you the righteous way of thinking on anything.

Transition: Paul does not stop with the believer’s mind and thinking. He continues on and adds to right thinking the truth of right living.

II. The Christian lives righteously through proper living, 9.

Paul has told the church in Philippi how to think on multiple occasions in this letter. With each time he mentions the way one must think it is followed with ones actions. Every thought reaps an action. Like the statement many of you have heard “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.” It is important for each of us to understand that our thoughts truly impact our actions and that to think we can operate separate from what we are thinking about is futile thinking. Paul cared for the church in Philippi to be a unified church with the joy of the Lord being manifested through their partnership in the gospel. He restates his desire in a personal testimony type of way. He tell them to practice what they have learned, received, heard and seen in Paul. Paul in other letters says similar statements regarding imitating him as he imitates Christ.

This verse is not in isolation from the previous verse. The qualities of thinking Paul mentions in v. 8 directly impacted his lifestyle. So what did Paul mean when he stated these four example focused words.

“learned” - this is the idea of instruction or teaching.

“received” - to accept or receive instruction

“heard” - to hear

“seen” - to perceive, to see

The tense and mood of these words emphasizes that Paul is referring to something that took place in the Philippians life in the past with present implications as he gives it more force with the word he uses to instruct what to do with these four words—PRACTICE them. The content of what he has taught them and the content of his example needs to be being lived out daily in their lives. Paul is looking back at verse 8 and you could also say he is referring to the entire letter and his time while he was with them in person. It is not completely clear in the text which is the direct correlation so it is not incorrect to take all of it.

For the Christian today, we need to take this same command Paul gives to practice what he has taught and exemplified and do it. In order for us to do it we must have right thinking. Paul is concluding his letter to the Philippians and telling them that right living is living that is unified in the gospel providing gospel joy that comes from being an ambassador for Christ and seeking to know God intimately. We are not to quarrel among ourselves. We are not to live in sadness and discouragement because the Lord is coming again. We are not ot worry because the peace of God will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus therefore, Pray! We are to then think right thus living right!

We all too often sit and hear sermons preached but nothing is being heard. We are given instruction but we refuse or neglect to receive it. We see godly examples around us and even marvel at them but go away unfazed. See to neglect what Paul is telling us to do here is to lose out on a wonderful blessing…the God of peace! If you want God’s peace in your life we must have right thinking that leads to right living! We must apply the biblical and theological truths give to us from God’s Word and through God’s people. Joy and unity and peace will not come to the one who neglects to live right. The presence of God will have a heavy impact rather than a joy filled and lightening impact.

God’s Word tells us how to live! Will you live right?

Conclusion:

The Christian must think righteously to live righteously.

So this afternoon, do you find yourself in a right mind? Are you thinking right this morning? Do your actions and behaviors line up with the way we have been commanded to think? We have looked at two very simple commands this afternoon, think right and live right. What area of your thinking do you need to shore up? What behaviors or actions need to be added or subtracted?

Both of these commands are connected in practice. If you and I do not think right we will not act right. So, this week,

Think true thoughts and communicate honestly with your spouse in every conversation no matter how “trivial” or “important” the conversation may be.

Let your mind focus on what is dignified and honorable and aspire to live honorably among your coworkers.

Think righteous thoughts and do not listen to podcasts, watch tv shows, or news programs that lead to unrighteous thinking. Thoughts that are not in line with God’s righteous character.

Think purely and refrain from viewing marital intimacy from the profane worlds perspective. Think purely and resist the temptation to speak and act in ways that uncouth and impure thoughts would produce when placed in tough situation.

Think lovely and present yourself attractive to your co-workers and when you come home your family. Do people enjoy being around you?

Think thoughts that would promote action in your life that results in people talking highly of you. Think in a way that promotes the gospel in your life for others to view highly the gospel of Christ.

For in summary all our thoughts ought to be on that which is morally excellent and not chaotic. Thoughts of praiseworthiness!

As we seek to think this way it will train ourselves to place every thought through this seive. As we do so we will begin to act righteously. Paul emphasized right living by commanding us to practice, to do what we have learned and witnessed from his life as he strove to imitate Christ. So this week,

Take each day to apply one principle from the Sunday morning or afternoon sermon and work on making it a habit.

Take each day to apply one principle from your God and I Time and work on making it a habit.

These are both heeding the command of doing what you have been taught.

Take the week to assess and apply one biblical truth from a godly person in your life and apply it to your life.

This is taking what you have witnessed from someone else in their speech and living that glorifies God and applying it to your life that you may become more life Christ!

This examples and situations could go on. You fill in the blank where you need to reel in your thoughts and push them in the seive of Philippians 4:8 to see how your practice of Christian living must change. It is important to look to God-fearing men and women and seek to emulate what they have testified of through their speech and behavior.

Will you commit to sanctifying your thoughts and actions daily? Will you seek to have a right mind? For without a right mind you will have wrong thinking. With wrong thinking you will have uneasiness and a lack of peace in your life. For when you think and act righteously you experience the glorious presence and peace of God!