Think On These Things

Philippians 4:8–13 NKJV

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. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians - Conclusion to series

Theme is attitude - state of mind and conduct

Thankfulness

Unity of Spirit

Christlikeness

Christ mindness

avoiding disputes, blame, and setting an example

evangelism - in a crooked and perverse generation

acknowledges that few are likeminded - most seek their own - selfish

To write these things is not grievous — it is not hard to be a Christian - unless you don’t want to

Paul’s testimony - giving it all for Christ - One thing

Rejoicing in the Lord - always

Finally, Whatever Things are True...

For many people, this ought to be one of the most important passages in the New Testament

How we think

Your thought life is absolutely imperative to the rest of your well being - or not well being

What you think is what you become - good or bad

What is your mind full of?

Hebrews tells us that “if they had been mindful....”

If you think about bad , you will get bad

Think depressing thoughts, become depressed

think angry thoughts, become violent

think carnal thoughts, become carnal

All these things “seem” right while we are thinking them.

the problem with thoughts, is that we need though to determine what is right

we have to “think” about what to think about

Too many people allow their circumstances to determine their thoughts

this is true for Christians and non Christians

Someone does you wrong and your thoughts become angry

the bible says be angry and sin not

some of this may only be natural - but you don’t have to continue in it

Circumstances - financial trials - relationship problems -

also thought circumstances can be influenced by media, entertainment, etc.

Something enters our mind - becomes a thought - and we become subject to it.

it seems right —

the bible says that there is a way that seems right --- but the end is death

You cannot allow your thoughts to determine your thoughts

the bible says that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked - who can know it?

You Can Choose What You Think About

We have an action plan here - a set of instructions -

This is like a quality control test for our minds -

the bile says to test the spirits - we can test our thoughts also

What are you thinking about most of the time?

do you replay in your mind scenes, events, conversations, which are negative?

If so, is there a specific, and Godly reason to do so?

For instance, there may be times when it is necessary to recall something negative - like if you are a witness at a trial

Or if you are telling the doctor your symptoms -

Or if you are developing an action plan to overcome these negative circumstances

But after that - are you still thinking about it?

Are you still thinking about something from ten years ago, that you can’t even do anything about now?

many people still replay thoughts of regret long after people are gone

If so, then you can change that, and you have a clear plan here to teach you how.

Check you thoughts often:

Is it True

Is it Noble

Just

Is it Pure

is it lovely

is it of a good report

IS there virtue

Is it praise worthy

If so - meditate on these things

So many people barely give a passing thought to the things they are thankful for, yet dwell on every negative thing — we should do the exact opposite - and we can

Mediate On These Things

Paul speaks of mediating on these things

Often when people think of mediating they think of clearling the mind of everything -

When the bible speaks of meditating it means to clear the mind of the junk, and specifically focus on the things of God, on a particular passage, or truth, or Word from Him, and its application in your life.

Meditate on these things

What if you set aside a time every day to “meditate” on these things

Doing this will absolutely change you life.

You will have a testimony of change, transformation and power for victorious and joyful living

Regardless of your circumstance

Be Content In Whatever State You Are

These instructions are completely independent of and separate from circumstance

they are universal - for all Christians

So many people say — you just don’t understand....

Know one else has had to go through this like me

trust me, God understands

there has no temptation taken you...

We can see clearly here that Paul lived this example, and did so in many circumstances - without regard for what the evil one tries

He Said that He had learned to be Content in whatever state He finds himself

So many Christians just cannot be content

when people cannot be content they usually make sure that no one else is also

some people even take pride in their ability to wreck everyone else’s contentment

cliches like “happy wife, happy life”

But as Christians, we should be content -

this does not mean that we do not desire good things - but seek first the kingdom - and be content with what you have

Paul said he knew how to be abased, and how to abound

whether we find ourselves in the palace or in the prison, as Christians we should be able to be content, to rejoice in the Lord, and to be a light tot he darkness

this is common among Christians in other countries - but not so much here.

I see so many Christians fall away fromt he faith becasue they cannot be content

And so many more give Christianity a bad name becasue they stay in it, but can never be content

Yet Paul said that whether he was full or hungry - he was ok - he could live by these words

You can Do all things through Christ

Paul said that he could do all things -

this does not mean you can fly like superman -

rather it means, that you can live by the gospel in all circumstances

all things that life brings, you can do, without failing - without falling

No matter what you are dealing with, you can rejoice in the Lord

No matter what you are going through, you can think on good things

No matter how dark your world is, you can be a light in the midst of it, holding out the word of life.