Occupying Your Mind Till Christ Comes

“Occupying Your Mind Till Christ Comes”

Philippians 4:7–8 AV

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The problem is a hidden problem, we cannot see that a persons thought life is good or bad by looking at them, we cannot realize there is problem many times, because we are such good actors today.

But the troubled thought life can result in bigger outward problems if not contained. We have studied this passage in the past:

The Mind is something that must be submitted to God and Hus Word in faith. There is not substitute for these nor is there any kind of replacement for them.

There is a growing movement among Evangelicals today and is something that has been around for 1,000’s of years. It is called Contemplative Prayer.

Contemplative prayer is something you may or many not have heard of, if you haven’t is is okay and is good that you haven’t.

It is something that on its face sounds right - sounds good, sounds even spiritually.

It goes by other names:

– Spiritual Formation – Spiritual Disciplines – Ancient Future – Contemplative Spirituality – Taize – Centering Prayer – Lectio Divina – Jesus Prayer – Labyrinth – Walk To Emmaus

Its roots are first found in Eastern Religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. Hinduism really developed what is known as the New Age Movement in the last 6o years especially. But this also something that has been popular in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy for a thousand years.

Their use of it traces back to a group of monks known as the desert fathers. These hermits of the early Middle Ages, who lived in the Middle Eastern deserts, devoted their lives to God and in trying to seek Him. Unfortunately, they obviously did not regard the Bible as sufficient in their search for Him and in learning how to pray, because they borrowed ideas from other religions, particularly it seems from Hinduism and Buddhism.

The reason we are talking briefly about Contemplative Prayer is because it fundamentally unsound and unbiblical.

A foundational element for contemplative prayer is the capacity for interior silence. To not be talking but listening. That might sound practical and well meaning - but it does not come from the Word of God.

Roger Schultz of Taize (one wing of this movement) Said: “We have come here to search, or to go on searching through silence and prayer, to get in touch with our inner life” (“Brother RogerWhat does God’s Word teach?

Rather than emptying and silence - the Bible says to fill yourself with and speak to God.

Rather than getting in touch with our inner life, lets get in touch with God through Christ Jesus.

I. Every thought must be inline with God

Now, here is a key verse we have studied before:

2 Corinthians 10:5 AV

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;

How do we do this?

A. Cast down anything that would take you away from a closer relationship with God

2 Cor 10:5 says that these things, wicked ways exalt themselves against the knowledge of God,

I believe we can over analyze, but I’d rather over analyze than let something slip through unawares

Stay from all known wickedness

Psalm 101:3 AV

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

2 Cor 10:5 also teaches that these things, wicked ways exalt themselves against the knowledge of God,

When we let sinful things in, they are exalting sin, Satan or self above God, and that is the goal of Satan, if he can exalt anything against the knowledge of God in our lives he is pleased and it is exalting him – here are some of his devices:

- fame

- money

- popularity

- worldly wisdom

- worldly knowledge

- mocking righteousness

alls sinful practices, stay away from them, have no part of them.

Stay away from those doing wickedness -

Psalm 101:4 AV

A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.

Keep away from all appearances of evil

1 Thessalonians 5:22 AV

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Prove everything

Ephesians 5:10 AV

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Do everything by faith

Romans 14:23 AV

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

B. Allow Godly things to captivate you

You ever have something capture your attention. I mean you couldn’t get it out of your mind. Sometimes that are sinful things but sometimes they are not.

Our job as Christians is not to allow those things to captivate us. It is to allow good and godly things to flood our minds.

It is like food, if we are not careful, we only allow the exotic, rich, delicious meals to captivate us - and as a result, we are unable to appreciate the healthy, simple, and many times cheaper meals that are available to us.

In like manner, we allow entertainment to captivate us so much that we cannot appreciate a book, or board game with family any more.

Let’s learn to be content with simple, but wholesome things of life - and especially the godly things.

I want to be captivated by the Word again.

I want to be captivated with making time for prayer.

I want to be captivated with church again.

I want to be captivated with the simple but precious relationships with my family and church, not having a constant need to become popular or well known.

Here are some things we can captivate our minds with:

1. With Right thoughts

- Many times I have to remind myself of what to think of, right thinking about God and heaven, right thinking about those around me, remind myself to stay humble – sometimes that is very hare to do – but really the flesh can be prideful

2. With Christ

Philippians 2:5 AV

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

3. With promises

2 Peter 1:3–4 AV

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

4. With blessings

Colossians 3:1–4 AV

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5. With prayer

Philippians 4:6 AV

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

1 Thessalonians 5:17 AV

Pray without ceasing.

6. With peace

John 14:26–27 AV

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

7. With joy

John 15:11 AV

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

A. Knowing the truth

Psalm 25:5 AV

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalm 33:4 AV

For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

1. Knowing the truth by studying the Word of God

2 Timothy 2:15 AV

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2. Knowing the truth through memorizing God’s Word

Psalm 119:11 AV

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

B. Doing the Truth

1. Doing the truth is obeying the Lord’s commands for our lives

1 John 3:18 AV

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

2. Doing the truth is obeying the Great Commission

Matthew 28:18–20 AV

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

3. Doing the truth is fulfilling God’s call in your life

- Someone said “The Christian life is recognizing truth and walking therein”

III. Occupy your Mind for God

Luke 19:13 AV

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

The master is away, He will come again soon, my job is to occupy my mind with godly things until He comes.

Much of what is on the internet is not promoting godliness

Much of politics is not.

Many of your memes are not.

No, until Christ comes, he has give me something to work with, I’m not to waste it for myself, I’m not to hide it away either. Occupy means to keep it precious but also keep it invested at the same time -

UNTIL HE COMES AGAIN